New 3rd gen owner

So in a month I’m picking up a 3rd gen Tacoma from my buddy that is a 2019 with 75k miles and selling my 2nd 2009 Toyota Tacoma with 230k miles, both long beds, four doors, and 4x4. My 2009 is a sr5 and the 2019 is a trd off road package. While doing research I see so many issues and complaints about the coolant bypass, main seal and timing cover oil leak, but I understand with all the complaints there are a lot of Tacoma 3rd gen owners that love there trucks and haven’t had those issues so how many of you have not had those issues and have just been able to enjoy your truck without any major mechanical issues?

also wanted to come on to welcome myself from the 2nd gen group to the 3rd group. Look forward to it!

 

They sell nearly 250,000 Tacomas per year. We read about very few issues, from a very vocal community... any reliability issues are blown way out of proportion here. Don't sweat it. Just deal with the problems if they arise.

 

Ordinarily I would agree with forums promoting only issues, however I would not underestimate the timing cover leak. It is well known on the 2nd and 3rd generation tacomas, Toyota car models, and Lexus models. Usually the leak is not bad enough to drip and if it does it is very little. Most people don't know where to specifically look for the leak as it is hard to spot without contorting yourself under the front passenger section of the engine. As for the coolant bypass, and the main seal I would say they are a close second but not as prevalent.
Either way the timing cover leak is not a big deal per se since it could leak for 300K miles and you'd be fine so long as you are not losing oil levels between changes. The problem is the expense and sheer invasiveness of the fix should you choose to have it repaired.

 

If you drive a 2GR-FKS powered Taco, just keep an eye out for the rear coolant bypass leak, rear main seal leak, timing cover leak etc. And if ever you spot a leak starting, don't wait too long to get it addressed if you notice that it's more than just some seepage.

Buying a used truck is actually a benefit in this manner cause you can see which trucks have these leaks after some mileage and you you can steer clear. Find a bone dry truck and you should have a winner on your hands.

 

I think the bypass issue was corrected or an updated part in 2017, I could be wrong.

 

From my understanding, the timing cover leak starts within the first hundred or thousand miles, starts off super slow and gradually builds up over 20-50k miles(example). In my opinion if you clear the 2-3k mile mark and check up under the truck right next to the power steering and it’s bone dry then your most likely good to go . The research I’ve done leads me to this assumption. The leak is mostly due to the factory not applying enough sealer or incorrectly applying it which causes the leak. Most people that see the drip or heavy seepage and staining at 50-100k miles don’t realize that it didn’t “just start recently “ its been “seeping” since knew.

 

So this is my 21 sr5 2wd v6. Got 24400 miles on it and so far the common area for the leak is clean. Not sure about that arrowed part but it was dry so I’m assuming it’s not oil?

 

I had a handful of TSBs to address the first year of the 3rd Gens (which I was expecting). No problems after the first year TSBs. I am happy to keep my 2016 many more years. Here is the fuel pump recall if you smell gas. You are covered for 10 years regardless of mileage. Welcome to the 3rd Gen Forum.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10236191-9999.pdf

 

Thanks for that heads up !

 

The place to look is where I circled in black. behind the power steering pump which is blocked by the Shock shroud. Its easier to see if you get under the truck and look straight up. Its tough to spot.

 

@SparkOfLight thanks for the info. Just checked it and looks dry and spotless

 

Thanks for the photo it’s very helpful

 

Here’s more photos of the underside of the power steering pump that can give all of us healthy tacos a peace of mind. I know my trucks still young (24k miles) to be showing major signs of the dreaded oil leak but I’ll suck it up and hope for the best.