Possible Timing Cover Oil Leak

You probably need to look at the steering pump. It could be a contributing factor to all that mess.
Here is some ideas how to remove the pump to get access to the timing cover behind it
https://youtu.be/qVS0NDMCx_s?si=bLOjxZvAINWpHsZt

 

If you try the shade tree method, make sure the surface you apply the rtv sealant on is absolutely clean/dry of any oil residue, and spotless, so at least its got a chance.

 

Permatex Right Stuff black will work right?

 

Yes.
If you going to take the pump off, buy the gasket kit.

If going to wash the engine, wrap connectors with a foil.

 

I'm just gonna document everything that I am doing here in case anyone ever has the same issue in the future and wants a step by step. If I can do something I'm certain that anyone can do it. Save yourself some money and just DIY.

Bought some UV dye for the oil and for the PSP. Going to start by adding to the oil and letting the truck run for a day. Want to make sure the oil leak is coming from the timing chain cover. I suspect that I might find that there is also a leak at the valve cover. Once I have determined the oil leak I will clean that area free of any UV dyed oil and add the UV dye to the PS fluid. If its too hard to determine if its PS fluid or oil I will do an oil change so that the PS fluid is the only thing with UV dye. I have another suspicion that the power steering pump is leaking. Just seems like way too much oil to just be seepage from the timing cover unless it went on for years without any notice.

Found OEM parts with a 1-year warranty from https://trdshop.carlocktoyotaoftupelo.com/. Considering that the power steering pump is a known area of failure, I want the part warranty so I know I will at least have it for one year. This is all with the assumption that the PSP is in fact leaking. For now just checking the leaks and will go from there. Not cleaning any of the oil off yet. Will have to get to some hard to reach areas for that, and if I am going to have to remove the PSP to clean the oil off I at least want to know if I need to replace it first.

 

It's hard to say just from pics but that looks like oil to me and not power steering fluid. Take a look at some of the 2nd gen threads on this. They grind down a mount for the pump or something that supposedly helps things to seat better. Not sure if that's need on a 3rd gen. Curious to see the results.

 

I probably should have said this, but the ps fluid is low and it’s still the original psp with 200k miles on it. It may only be a slight leak and could only need gaskets but my bet is there is some ps fluid adding to the mess. Will definitely check out those threads though.

 

So I put UV oil dye in today and ran the truck for a while, drove around, etc. I couldn't find any oil leaks anywhere. I am going to keep observing until next Saturday, so 7 more days. If there is still no noticeable leak anywhere, then I am going to change the oil to get rid of the dye and then add dye to the PS fluid.

 

I had the PS pump replaced in my 2016 at 74k. It looked just like a timing cover leak and the PS reservoir looked just like yours.

 

Just got underneath the truck and saw the UV dyed oil all over the bottom of the PSP running down to the bottom of the oil pan. Gotta believe it’s the timing seal cover. I can’t think of what else would be leaking there. Shouldn’t be the valve cover because I would see it from the top and side oozing out from the seem of the valve cover. The UV dye seemed pretty murky. Although it could be murky from running down the dirty oil covered truck, I really think it’s also a PSP leak and it’s mixing with the oil leak. Going to order the PSP and the RVT and either take it to the auto hobby shop and fix it this weekend or next.

 

Just got my timing cover leak fixed. It was such a small leak…like so small I didn’t notice on the dipstick over 6 months…

Dealership got it all covered under warranty. $3k. Zero pushback.

They had to pull the engine to fix.
Got truck back today and everything drove fine. Warranty paid off (not first time).

image of engine after put back in

 

Awesome . 2016 and still covered by warranty? How many miles

 

67k. Platinum warranty. Has covered 3x what I paid so far

 

Kinda sad. These trucks are marketed as quality, durability , dependability . Not really sure how true any of those selling points are

 

Wow that’s great

 

Well. out of all the roughly 1.8 million units produced I'd like the actual numbers of issues (which I'm sure Toyota will never share publicly). Also, if issues do occur, it's how Toyota chooses to deal with it. My brand new 1992 Toyota truck V6 extra-cab 4x4 5spd had the head gaskets fail twice. Once in warranty and once out of warranty. Toyota fixed them both times free of charge with no hassle. Went on to own that truck for 14 years. Sold it with the original clutch and great re-sale. No leaks or other issues. Well maintained tho. Any mass produced vehicle will have issues. Some more than others. Pick your poison.

op @Oil everywhere I like your attitude. Despite not getting an inspection you are quickly learning from your mistake. You are on the right path. Please let us know how this turns out. Personally, If my 2020 was weeping I'd leave it.

 

I’m impressed with the truck so far.
The high pressure fuel pump, needle bearing, and timing cover leak has been the major issues I’ve experienced. All covered by warranty

I put the truck through a lot along with towing a 20’ trailer. I’m happy

 

How many miles?

 

67, almost 68k.

 

I guess that’s not to bad. That timing cover is huge job though