Timing chain gasket leak

2017 Tacoma, 170,000+ miles.
3.5L, AT, SR5, 4x4, 4 door, long bad.

I did do a search and made a post to an older thread.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-fix-the-timing-chain-cover-oil-leak.525227/

Thought I would also post here seeking information.
Thank you.

On my last visit for regular oil change, etc, the tech noticed a minor leak.
He cleaned the area and put the colored dye/liquid (whatever it was) in the engine.
After about 1,000 miles of regular driving I took it back yesterday for them to check the leak location/cause. ... Timing chain gasket.

I am being told, basically front parts need to come off so the engine can be dropped/removed to fix the leak. $5,500 +/-. 28-36 hour job.
The master tech has been working on Toyotas for 25 years and with the dealership for 12 years.
He stated he has already done this to multiple vehicles with that engine.

I need to give them a deposit today, 12/13/2024, to order the parts and get it on the schedule for next week.

It sounds like I do not have a choice, right?
Any help, info would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Jeff
.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/timing-cover-leaking-oil.484372/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-infamous-timing-chain-cover-leak.811889/

 

It can be done with out removing the engine.
You can drop the front differential and get to it.

But it's still a big job.


I'm a total hack. And you can bet I'd clean the area really good.
And past it over with RTV. It's going to look "UGLY".
But it will save me A LOT of money and time if it works. .
It doesn't always work. But it can work. Others have done it.
And like I said, it was UGLY. But you have a hood. Just keep it closed. It will cover up the UGLY.

Again, that's what I'd try on MY truck.
Not a customers truck.

Sorry man. I feel your pain.

 

With a 170k on it, I might see how much it leaks, and factor that in, before spending that kind of money. Also it sounds like the fix is at times questionable, but it also sounds like you have a real tech.
GL

 

Usually the leak doesn’t leak enough to actually even affect the oil level. If mine leaked I’d leave it. At most I’d try to do a cleaning every few months. I’m not spending multiple thousands on a minor leak that doesn’t affect anything besides causing a mess. I’ll wait until an actual motor problem to do anything like that.

 

I have a 2016, no leak yet, but I decided long ago if it did start leaking I’d just live it.

 

monitor the leak / oil levels and see how bad of a leak it actually is. If I fixed every minor oil leak on every vehicle I've ever owned (and paid someone else to do it) I'd have to sell my house.

 

Please excuse this ignorant question but is there any concerns about the oil and antifreeze mixing inside?
The leak is very minor at this point.
Thank you everyone.
Jeff

 

No.

 

For a 2017.... you got 7 years and 170,000 miles out of it.
That's a big plus.
I'd drop $5,500 down and whatever you can get out of that truck on a 2023 if you can find one.
In 4 years it would be paid for.

In 4 years that 2017 will be 11 years old.

Worst case is just limp on down the road on the 2017 and keep the fluids topped off.

 

OP, most of these leaks are just seepage never a drip to make it to the driveway so I would just live with it and save your 5,500.00.

 

^^^^ This above: Good advice! ^^^^

 

I have a 2016 with 58K with the timing cover leak. I tried the RTV fix earlier this year. It stopped leakage for about 7 months, but is now seeping a little again. I get about a drop a week or so now. No noticeable loss on the dipstick. I am just going to let it seep. I hop under the truck once a week and wipe it off so it doesn't get too messy.

It is expensive to have fixed, but more than the cost is how invasive the fix is. Opening up a motor to chase a small leak does have some risk. There have been some that have had engine failure after the repair (though probably rare), and others have had it start leaking again even after paying for the repair.

 

I have a 2023 3.5 and I have read they still have the same leak as they did in 2016. I do my own maintenance and check it every 5k miles and if it shows up I’m trading mine in. I’m not going to let the dealership repair it in the truck let alone pull the engine out.

What I really don’t understand is how can Toyota have a known oil leak issue and continue to build this engine for eight years and not correct it.

 

FWIW: No seep leak on my ten year old 2014 @139,000 miles. I understand that this engine (4.0L V6) is also known for this leak at that spot. My take is I would not drop $5,000 to fix this even if it was an occasional drip at this point.

I will continue monitor and keep the (Toyota pink) coolant fresh with 5yr/50,000 flushes as recommended by AMD ("The Care Car Nut") for a 4.0L V6 with this specific issue. His feeling is that as coolant becomes more and more acidic as time and mileage it contributes to this leak happening near a coolant passage and where the head, timing cover and block meet at a three-way junction. Put it off long enough and you can end up with a coolant leak into the head near this spot as well.

 

My 2016 has had the seepage for over 10K miles now, and the truck is only at 52K miles. For $10 I'll buy a bag of rags to check the oil and wipe down any seepage, saving me $5490.

 

Yes, this is my concern. The actual leak isn't the concern. It is what could happen INSIDE the engine.
On Dec. 5th, I ordered a 2025 Transit mid roof van. That payment will be more than enough.
I do not need/want another payment for a Tacoma.
.

 

The key here from a Toyota Certified Master Tech is a simple, semi-frequent coolant flush every 50k miles or so to keep the coolant PH under control. (neutral) He has posted vids of engines he has taken apart to replace head and timing cover gaskets showing the defects that cause these coolant and oil leaks.

 

Yeah, but the coolant does not come in contact with the timing cover and its sealer.