Timing chain cover leak???

recall's are for safety-related problems and usually directed by NTSB.

this problem is documented in a TSB and warranty covers it. they might have something called a service campaign that would cover it after warranty, but unless your dealer is on the ball you have to ask to see if toyota has one on that problem. otherwise, you can ask for goodwill consideration like OP did

 

The government can force recalls for anything they deem that the manufacture is not fulfilling a legal requirement. Emissions equipment, component failure that leads to car failure on a widespread range of users and that is a design flaw. If enough people complained to the government about these type of incidents, the the government would force a recall if they found it to be a widespread issue.

Safety recalls are just the most widespread since the news reports them more often.

 

As you note, the gov't can only force a recall to compel compliance with specific laws and there is no law against making shitty product. That is the purpose for the marketplace's existence: to decide whose product will prevail.

We've suffered serious erosion of our freedoms, but I don't think we've quite got that far yet. But if we did, I'd suggest they recall more than a few graduates of our 'public' education system.

 

Update: took my truck to the dealership and had them look at the leak, they informed me that it was covered under 5yr / 60,000 mile powertrain warranty and that there was a TSB. He told me that I would need to leave my truck for a couple of days and they would take care of it. before i left they took my truck back to the shop and within a few minutes they came back and told me that they couldn't get the job approved by Toyota if it wasn't dripping on the ground. they told me to watch it and when it starts dripping they would cover it under my Platinum extended warranty plan.

 

mine showed up at about 35,000 miles, I am now at about 43,000 and it hasn't really got any worse, but i watch it like a hawk!

 

Mine was leaking and was repaired under the 60K drivetrain warranty. They kept it overnight, fought me on a loaner vehicle and then gave in. They are full of Bean Soup that it has to drip on the ground. Mine did not. It was not dripping on the ground. Let's see, if the oil drips on the ground it can also land on the manifold and burn the entire engine compartment and total the truck. Blake, take it back in and demand that it is fixed.

 

I'm gonna make them fix it, but i think i may take it to the dealership that I purchased the truck at instead of the one that i took it to. (the closest one to me) I may wait a little while until we have a break from school...that way i will have my vehicle to drive back and forth to school. (You have to be 18 to get a loaner....and i will be 18 in a month...) When I have it done i will post it! Thanks for the advice.

 

I'm a little late to this party but I think it's worth noting in this thread that if you have a Toyota Certified used vehicle the powertrain warranty is extended to 10 years/100,000 miles. I'm not sure if all Toyota dealers do that, or just the one I bought my truck from (Camelback Toyota, Phoenix, AZ)

This little tidbit literally just saved my bacon. I have a leaky '06 Tacoma with only 49,300 miles on the clock. Without the extended powertrain coverage, I'd have been screwed.

 

Was yours dripping or did it look like mine? I took it in a while back and they said that toyota wouldn't approve me unless it was dripping on the floor. Im at 47,000 miles and it doesn't appear to be any worse than before, but at the same time I would like to get it fixed. Im thinking about trying the dealership that I bought it at rather than the one that i've been going to. Also I have the platinum extended warranty that covers me until 80,000. Thanks

 

Blake,
When I called the dealership closest to me (not the one I bought the truck from) they scheduled me immediately with no questions asked about how bad the leak was. Mine is dripping on the floor, but they never asked.

I suggest you try a different dealer. Make some phone calls with your VIN in hand and just ask the service rep if you're covered for TSB 0326-08.

Good luck,
Chris

 

Thanks, I will most likely wait until this summer while im out of school, the TSB probably wont apply as im out of factory warranty, but my extended warranty states that it covers all seals and gaskets, so that should do it for me. Thanks for your reply. I may be making some calls in the mean time just to see if there are any dealers that will take care of it with no questions asked.

 

Tim,

I'm taking my truck in to a local dealer on Monday (4/9/12) for the timing chain cover leak. I'll be travelling cross country in a few weeks and I want to make sure the work is done by a Master Technician, not the broom jockey. As you noted, this is a fairly complicated job.

Having worked in a shop myself, I know how irritating it is when arrogent customers come in demanding everything under the sun. Still, I want this job done right the first time so I'm not sitting on the side of the road in West Texas with a hatched motor. Can you suggest a tactful way to bring this up with the dealer?

Thanks,
Chris

 

Thread revival! Took my truck in and got it fixed. I took it in Tuesday morning and got it back today (Thursday). It was all covered under my platinum extended warranty that I purchased through the dealer/Toyota. Without warranty it would have been $714.40 labor and $14.30 in parts, totaling $728.70.

 

Mine just started leaking at 150,000. Replaced the belt in the beginning of January and it started leaking.

 

Mine has been leaking there for about 4 years. I need to get it fixed. The whole underside of the truck has oil on it... I'm getting an estimate on it this week. Hope it doesn't cost and arm and a leg!

 

Are you noticing your oil level dropping between oil changes? I think mine might be doing the same thing, but if it is, I am losing little, if any, oil.

 

Sell it in snow country. Chassis rust protectant.

 

I changed my oil about 3,000 miles ago. I noticed the leak was clearly visible, but it doesn't seem to have change the oil level too drastically, as I haven't had to add more oil yet. I think it's just something to be mindful of and to keep an eye on it. Though, I am going to look into having it fixed myself.

 

There is no pressure there so its oil sipping, not enough to show up on oil changes. I would not worry much about it.

 

So, when I took my truck in to inspect leafs for recall, I had them look over the deceleration noise I had from 45-30mph. They deduced it was the leafs (ok?) but they also found my timing cover was leaking. Being way out of warranty at 155k miles, I'm glad I had an extended warranty from EasyCare. Had to pay $250 deductible but better than paying $1007.76. I probably could've done it but with parts being $100 and I would've had to spend a day under the hood and acquire some special tools so not bad. Gave me a new Corolla to drive around since they had to keep it overnight.

Parts changed:
11214-AD010 Engine Cylinder Head Gasket Left
11213-AD010 Engine Cylinder Head Gasket Right

$21 00295-00103 Formed-in-Place Oil Pan Gasket - 3 oz. Tube

00295-00103 Formed-in-Place Oil Pan Gasket

$24 90311-A0005 Toyota Genuine Oil Seal for Timing Gear Case Or Timing Chain Case

90311-A0005 Engine Crankshaft Seal
00272-SLLC2 Long Life Coolant

$53 90915-YZZD3 Oil Filter 1 Case (QTY 10)

90915-YZZD3 Oil Filter