Timing Cover Leak - fix it or leave it?

Check post #38 in this thread. It shows that 3rd Gens are indeed included.
TSB 0008-20

 

That’s a generic bulletin warning dealers that if they are replacing oil seals under warranty for mere seeps that Toyota will kick the bill back to the dealers. According to Toyota and most manufactures oil seepage without droplets is normal

 

Not a TSB correct, but it does include that dealerships are including the Tacoma in this issue. My guess is in a year or so the issue may be so prevalent documented the true TSB will be here

 

Would be nice if they would extend the warranty to at least 100k miles and actually come up with a permanent fix instead of just telling dealers to reseal it

 

it’s amazing isn’t it? I’ve had techs tell me it’s moreso the seal placed at factory, sometimes 1/8” sometimes up to an inch without proper adhering.

 

Surely amazing that they can’t get that right in a controlled environment at a factory with robots and electronic equipment checking specs and human supervisors over seeing the process. Not one of these trucks should ever leak from that spot. Or just redesigned timing cover or whatever is needed to fix it.

 

So from what I gather the leak occurs mostly at the point where the Head, top end, and Timing cover meet. It can also happen in the same area on the Drivers side but not as frequently. Hopefully mine just remains a very slow seep, but I will say it has really bothered me, because when I bought it I really went over it pretty good. I brought my flashlight with me and inspected the bottom and top of the engine and still managed to miss it. Who would have thought that a Toyota with only 19k miles would already have an oil leak? Evidently this is very common, and I just think most people dont know where to look, haven't bothered, or miss it all together like I did.

 

I believe that lack of quality oil changes and long drain intervals (10k miles) cause the leak too and pcv valves getting gunked up also create the leak

 

I'm on 10k oci and there are no leaks. Pcv does not cause the timing cover leak. Pcv ventilates the crack case
I think the likely reason it leaks is that toyota integrated the oil pump, water pump into the cover, plus hanged the steering pump to the cover. The vibration is weakening the sealant and causes the seepage plus thermal expansion and contraction between the block and the head.

 

the prior owner religiously changed the oil on mine every six months at the dealer. So not the case on mine either

 

If you happen to watch the Car Care Nut on youtube (Probably one of the better skilled to speak on this issue), he mentioned that all it takes is someone touching that area during install leaving oils or finger print to make it not seal. Im sure that has something to do with it, but the leak always seems to occur in the same area right behind the power steering pump where 3 different sections join. Regardless I think this is enough of an issue that Toyota needs to formally address given the amount of work/cost involved to fix.

 

I had mine leaking right there too behind the pulley at 18k miles but it was a residue of dirt and oil and barely a fresh drip starting... I watched it for a few months and it returned, showed the dealership some pics and they fixed it no questions asked. Now my truck feels tighter and more crisp all around after they fixed the leak and with the shifting from D to R to P, the clunking metal noise went away... which was nice since I brought it in for that horrible noise at 5k miles haha. Feels like a lexus now.....really almost like a different truck. Super glad I got it done

 

It is a big issue, but Toyota isn’t going to address it or do anything. What are they going to do, authorize the removal of thousands of engines, risk tarnishing their reputation, all for an oil seep that doesn’t damage the engine? It’s been happening to GR engines since the early 2000s and they haven’t done anything yet. You can roll the dice and have the dealership reseal it, but I t’s going to happen again at some point just based on the design.

 

Sad just really sad and pathetic that they never addressed this for customers out of warranty or customers with brand new trucks who have to trust a dealership to remove their brand new engine

 

Wonder if yours was leaking from day 1? Anyway with all do respect I’m not understanding how the truck runs and drives better after getting the front cover resealed can you elaborate ?

 

They don't have to have a major recall. All they needed to do was say, "Hey team remember how a lot of timing covers were found leaking over the last 20 years?, yeah, why don't we try and not let that happen anymore." But clearly, its not just affecting 16' and 17' models, its the entire 3rd gen line straight up to 2023, including all the other models as well as the Lexus line. I'm not so much a Toyota fanboy that I can't at least say hey their engines last pretty much forever but a large majority leak oil while getting there.

 

It’s more expensive to redesign that part than to just fix it as they come.( it’s a hit or miss ) It’s just poor design as what @JaxsonPotato mentioned.

 

That’s what it probably is . The cost of repair of the ones that leak and are under warranty is way less than a redesign. On paper that is . Then you have the ones that leak just a little that no one does anything about . The only issue is people talk and it doesn’t look good for Toyota’s reputation.They know
It’s a problem, and my thoughts are maybe warranty that leak for let’s say 150 k and then you don’t want to spend money on a redesign, you won’t have customers that will bash you too hard because they are making it right . Even though some people will be still pissed , 150 k is fair

 

When you got the PS pump out of the way to apply the permatex were you able to just get the pump out of the way without disconnecting the fluid hoses? It looks like I might be able to just remove the pump and hang it out of the way with the lines still hooked up but I’m not sure yet.

 

My 2016 is leaking same place just gonna live it. It's not dripping on the ground. 52k