Engine Oil leak around Timing Chain?

My 09 Tacoma has been leaking oil since 105,000 miles in 2017. Now I have 205,000 miles but nothing is leaking on the ground. My mechanic said no big deal mostly all V6 tacos leak around the timing chain area. The dealer in 2017 wanted to charge me $2300 to fix the leak I declined.
If it's not broken don't fix it. Any thoughts would be gladly appreciated. Thank you all.

 

Pictures of said leak…

 

The only way I'd pay to have it fixed is if it leaked on the floor or if the timing chains were due for replacement. Sometimes its bad enough to leak on the drive belt, but I'd just monitor.

 

It’s just marking its place. Just watch your oil level.

 

I got more pictures,I don’t wanna drive everybody crazy. Any thoughts will be gladly appreciate it. I’m going to the mechanic tomorrow. He’s gonna do the transmission flush/ drain and fill transfer case and front & rear diff. I had the trans drain/flushed at 107m,125m,173m now at 205,000 miles.

 

It's bad enough I'd plan for it, you may as well change the timing chains as a "while you're at it"

3 chains 3 tensioners. They usually last around 250-300,000 miles but it varies.

 

Never had any oil on the belt. i’m waiting tomorrow. He’s probably gonna mention about the leak. but if he does, he never mentioned it before.

 

That’s it?? I got 190k miles out of my faulty vq40 chains and tensioners

 

I had did only the tensioner replaced and belt at 160,000 miles in 2020

 

Funny, my mechanic
never said or suggested anything before when he did the tensioner and belt.

 

The cost of a new truck today is crazy. It’s cheaper to fix it than replace it, even if I’m not doing the work.

 

Yup, even used in poor condition is $$$

That leak is around 8 years old. Wipe it clean with rags and see what looks like in a week. If you’re not seeing a decrease on the dipstick between oil changes, it’s a minor leak. If it’s not causing problems, like oiling the belt, just keep an eye on the leak and the oil level.

I would consult with your mechanic either way. Maybe wipe it clean a week before and tell him that’s a week of leaked oil.

 

Thanks will do.

 

Guides wear out on the VQ40 if I recall, I own one as well haha.

The 1GR can go 400,000 miles, but I'm showing averages when I change them.

Plus if the cover is off, just do it.

 

Supposedly the inspection cover leaks and people reseal it.

I’d imagine large timing covers can leak but not until later.

valve cover gaskets and power steering pump and/or hoses can leak at 100k on any car.
You’d be better off doing something like that if at all, and cleaning and re evaluating.

if you are not cleaning and re-evaluating, you are not looking for an oil leak.

the pictures show leaking valve cover gaskets at minimum.

 

Yeah, you’re right laziness. I tried in 2017 to pressure wash it before with some degreaser still wasn’t sure where the oil was coming from.

 

Don't use a pressure washer in the engine bay, bad things will happen. Clean it up (Purple degreaser or similar and a low pressure stream from a garden hose). Look for the leak. Sprinkling flour over the area and then running for a few days will help.

Once you find our where it is leaking from, you can decide what to do. Some leak from the inspection cover (easy fix)... some leak where the timing chain cover meets the cylinder head (expensive fix and not necessary to fix unless you're loosing a lot of oil). If it is the later, there are threads on here where guys try to fix the leak from the outside, without pulling the chain cover.

The timing chain should last well beyond 200k miles... especially if you keep up with oil changes.... Replacing the chain should not be a maintenance item if you keep up with oil changes.

Leaks in this area are very common. Figure out exactly where it is coming from and report back.

 

Yes, correct I do keep up with the oil changes and all the maintenance. First time, I ever heard of the flour leak test. Appreciate your advice makes sense.

 

Yeah, pre 2012 motors had secondary chains that would chew up the secondary guides and tensioners
Everything else looked fine in mine when I did the work, but I still replaced everything under the cover