3.5 camshaft tensioner failure at 58k (Sienna)

Briefly we have a 15 Sienna and my 19 Taco both have the 3.5. Just before a trip to TN I heard some growling from what sounded like the water pump in the minivan (58K miles). It had the extended warranty as it was a dealer demo when I bought it. So just made it in under warranty. Water pump was changed, on the return from TN I could still hear something that didn't sound right which was intermittent. Take it back to the dealer and they kept it for a day and finally heard the noise. Now the van is on the rack, engine is on the floor disassembled and we (wife) are rolling in a brand new 5 miles on it, 21 Highlander loaner.

Anyway what would you guys do in a situation like this. Trust the repairs or aim for a free extended warranty (10 yr/100K powertrain?). I don't really like the idea of the engine teardown at 58k. So far I have been okay with the dealer bought both vehicles there and they have been pretty fair so far in terms of dealerships.

 

I guess I don't know what a 'camshaft tensioner' is and why the engine is out and torn down.

I started off thinking you were speaking of a chain tensioner, but apparently something more nefarious is afoot.

@Bishop84 any words of explanation to help my lack of understanding?

 

They're making it right-Things break, let them fix it and drive the hell out of it.

 

Timing chain tensioner, my bad. I guess there is supposed to be spring tension and it was just flopping around in there. They had looked at some other possible culprits before going to this level. I've had motors in and out of older vehicles, looking at the pile of parts and wires involved with this it definitely would not have been a driveway job lol.

 

Yeah I agree, I just don't want any issues considering and am wondering how / who people approach for an extended warranty when there are seemingly two pretty significant failures under 60K. I should have added there were some "extra parts" sitting in the engine bay after the water pump change. It was just some rubber isolator looking thing, but seeing the engine on the floor with the valves exposed in the shop made me wonder what the chances are off something getting damaged. I haven't even asked what the warranty is on the repair. Just going to let them do their thing for now, they've treated me right in the past and I have personally purchased two vehicles there and sold 3 more for them to family (my sister bought her sienna and highlander there and I helped a friend buy a new 4runner there - they are a volume dealer I was 32.5 +TTL for my 19 OR LB) . I feel its a decent dealership, but shit happens.

 

I wouldn't let it bother you. The timing chain tensioner isn't the biggest job that can be done. The only reason your motor had to even come out is most likely due to it being mounted transversely. Pretty sure if the same happened on a Tacoma the timing cover can just be removed and the work done while in the bay. I could be wrong though. It also gives you an excuse to get a new timing cover seal, which I've read sometimes they leak on these models.

Anyway this is what warranties are for!

 

Water pump too, step one is remove engine in the Sienna, although it can be done by removing motor mount bolts and jacking the engine up a little bit for access.

 

If it was brand new I could see asking for an extended warranty, but it is used with a few miles on it. What they are fixing isn’t really a big deal and you shouldn’t have any more problems.

 

Yeah, it’s got 58k so not new, but wouldn’t expect engine removal at that mileage either. Then again as mentioned above when you put an engine in a vehicle sideways it changes the access to some things that would otherwise be a relatively easy fix. They offered 22k for it when they did the water pump a couple weeks ago, maybe they’ll offer more this time and I’ll get another 4Runner lol. Kids are old enough to open doors, climb in and buckle up now. That’d be score I think I paid 25k +TTL for it.

 

Definitely sucks, but they are covering it and you got a free loaner. Maybe you could see if they would do the complete 60k service for free.

 

I primarily just want protection from a failure created by the fix, but that’s a good idea and I might call about that even if I pay for the parts and they just discount labor since everything is easy to access. I paid for a new serpentine belt out of pocket when they did the water pump because they were in there and no labor charge.

 

I would think they’re work is guaranteed, if it fails within say 1000 miles because of the repair I’m sure your covered. After that I doubt you will have any trouble.

 

Yeah that’s what I’m wondering. I mean if it’s like a 30 day warranty, that won’t do much the car might not even go 100 miles in that time frame with wife and kids going back to school. If it’s mileage based or a year, I’d be good with that.

 

These threads always crack me up. On any other day TW is trashing dealerships for shoddy work and saying they wouldn't let their dealerships check their floor mats much less change their oil.

Then someone asks some questions about the dealership removing their engine to perform major engine work, and everyone says 'ayy no worries the dealership is fixing the problem. Thats what your warranty is for!'

Good luck OP , keep us posted on how the fix turns out.

 

Usually dealership work holds at a minimum 12 months 12,000 mile warranty on the work performed.

op you don’t like itchy feet?

 

Oh a year sounds fine, anything wrong would show up w/in that timeframe.
Yeah not a fan, he’s one of those people who doesn’t even own a Tacoma but has 9000+ posts bitching and whining about how they are junk. What a sad life.

 

Eh. We're talking about oil change monkeys vs certified mechanics and getting a service that was already paid for vs something that costs out of pocket.