The infamous timing chain cover leak...

No Doubt! For another piece of crap, as others have stated. WTF do you buy though?

 

My ‘06 has been weeping/ leaking like this for the last 10 years. It has never gotten bad enough to drip on the ground over this entire time. Every other oil change I spray it down with some degreaser to clean it up. Then I forget about it again for another 10,000 miles.

 

Lol. Yeah.. I laugh bc I agree, and tried that.. I initially laid a nice thin bead and made it look pretty, compared to the others ive seen.. But as I was staring at it, I wanted to try and "smash" it into the seam using my finger to help it seal better, and of course that made a mess.. so I said eff it, and gooped more on. And said, "well, that looks like shit". Lmao.

And no, no issues reinstalling the pump @Texas-Gorilla other than it's a tight fit to begin with sliding it out/in to the mounting bracket with top bolt.

 

Id either hold my nose and buy an F150 with the 5.0 or buy the new Tacoma. I want to see some high mileage 4th gens before Id jump in but they don't seem to have the issues the Tundra did. I still trust Toyota to eventually get it right. Extended warranty a must nowadays with the turbos and tech.

 

I think it’s going to be reliable , especially if you keep the oil up . Turbos can last , they just need to have clean oil. But built right they can be ok .

 

I was a GM guy until they absolutely ruined the LS engine with AFM and bad lifters for 10 YEARS now!!!
GM sucks

 

I do 5k changes on my 3rd gen religiously. I'd do 3k if it kept my eventual 4th gen running flawlessly

 

3K oil changes would keep the oil super clean . My beater car has had 3 k changes from 3 k since new and when I changed the valve cover gaskets ( 2005 Corolla ) at about 290 k it was shocking how clean the inside of the head was . I’m at about 310 k now and I do not have to add any oil between oil changes , when I change it … the oil is still full. The motor is quiet still on first start up on a cold day . Was I wasting money changing it so soon? Who knows . But I I’m ok with that. The car doesn’t owe me anything at this point .So yes … I believe being on your maintenance makes all the difference, and I think you could get good longevity on the new motor

 

That known lifter issue combined with crappy transmissions. The trans on my ‘17 Sierra grenaded and needed a complete rebuild at 80k miles. After a$5k bill I drove it straight from the transmission shop to Carmax and sold it. Then I had to wait 4 months for my ‘22 Pro to arrive.

 

Good call, sir! Kinda miss having a full size at times, but it’s a compromise.
Not a decent full-size to be found anywhere; new models anyway.
New Tundra is also a certified disaster.

 

Full size was needed due to two 6 foot + sons. I miss the extra cab and bed space at times. I don’t miss driving a full size in town or parking one. My boys live on their own now, so the backseat is just for the dog.

 

This is a good point too. I could remember as a little kid seeing cars from the 60s and the 70s drip oil like crazy. in fact, most people had drip pans underneath their cars in the driveway and in the garages. no one seemed too concerned either.

 

Technically not a leak, more accurately a weep or seep. Only detriment is a grody undercarriage. Degrease periodically to minimize rubber degradation.

 

how many big bucks to repair? Not a fun DIY job I take it?

 

Prices vary. Maybe 5K+/- Down side very invasive and no guarantee that it won’t leak again. Also, if tech uses too much FIPG it’s been suspected of causing internal engine damage from oil starvation.

 

I was quoted between $5-$7k. Not worth it in my opinion since my truck is out of warranty. Search and you’ll find others have had varying degrees of success sealing the gap externally with some RTV. I have tried that myself with no luck but I’m going to try again soon as I can’t stand the fact it is dripping.

 

I assume I have been blessed with the infamous timing chain cover leak?

 

Well, depends.
This is the timing chain tensioner acces cover. It leaks/seeps on every Toyota I've owned.
Clean it , tigh those 4 bolts a bit and monitor.
Actual leak is on the side, just above the pump

 

Aw, sounds good. Thank you!

 

Just got a quote from my local dealer. $4300 which includes a new water pump, thermostat and a 3 yr 50k warranty... Looks like I will check it every now and then and keep truck'n along.