1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

2017 Timing Cover Leak

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by mopar2, Jan 17, 2022.

  1. Jan 17, 2022 at 7:53 AM
    #1
    mopar2

    mopar2 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2017
    Member:
    #209712
    Messages:
    466
    Gender:
    Male
    Franklin TN
    I dropped my skid to do some maintenance and noticed oil around the power steering pump. I jumped on here to see if anyone had issues with the PSP and find out it could be a timing cover leak behind the PSP. I only have 47000 miles and warranty runs out 2/15/22. At the dealership today to see what they say and sure enough it’s the timing cover and they will repair under warranty. 5 to 6 Day job, they have to pull the motor. By the way the truck is lifted and they didn’t say anything about it.

    629F725B-8BF6-41A2-B2A6-888FA7FE5806.jpg
     
  2. Jan 17, 2022 at 9:44 AM
    #2
    Brian6t5

    Brian6t5 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2017
    Member:
    #238698
    Messages:
    15
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 White SR5
    Glad to hear that it's covered under warranty. I was thinking that if they have to pull the motor for repair, would it be wise to spend a couple hundred to have the rear coolant crossover pipe replaced? Any thoughts?
     
  3. Jan 17, 2022 at 2:36 PM
    #3
    mopar2

    mopar2 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2017
    Member:
    #209712
    Messages:
    466
    Gender:
    Male
    Franklin TN
    Is there an issue with the rear coolant crossover pipe?
     
    Junkhead likes this.
  4. Jan 17, 2022 at 2:40 PM
    #4
    OuchIDied

    OuchIDied Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2019
    Member:
    #302555
    Messages:
    237
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 Silver Sky Tacoma Off-Road
    Its plastic. Can crack and leak over time. I think its relatively rare, but a PITA repair.

    Personally at 47k miles I wouldn't worry about it. Maybe just ask the dealer their opinion.
     
    JRE and Junkhead like this.
  5. Jan 17, 2022 at 2:46 PM
    #5
    Grossomotto

    Grossomotto Complete 3rd Member

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2018
    Member:
    #247175
    Messages:
    8,431
    39.9526° N, 75.1652° W
    Vehicle:
    2017 4WDV6LB6MT
    They'll just replace it with the exact same one

     
    Junkhead, shakerhood and Skydvrr like this.
  6. Jan 17, 2022 at 3:11 PM
    #6
    MalinoisDad

    MalinoisDad Misanthropic dog person

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2017
    Member:
    #224205
    Messages:
    1,406
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Michael
    Vehicle:
    01 TRD PreRunner 5VZ
    5100s w/ 881s, JBA UCAs, J59s, other stuff and things
    Sorry to see that OP. Big bummer but at least it's being covered under warranty. What was the maintenance history like? How hard is the truck pushed in general? If this happens even when recommended maintenance is performed on time or ahead of schedule, that sucks extra. Just bad luck of the draw part failure? Scary for something of this magnitude, necessitating engine removal.
     
  7. Jan 17, 2022 at 6:12 PM
    #7
    GrundleJuice

    GrundleJuice Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2015
    Member:
    #150931
    Messages:
    2,342
    Gender:
    Male
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2016 TRD Bro
    [S]Un-Molested[/S] Lightly Molested
    This is a common issue that affects a significant number of the trucks in circulation. less luck of the draw and more "when" not "if", at least for the earlier years of the 3rd gen. Time will tell if the later years have the same problem
     
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2022
    shakerhood and Junkhead like this.
  8. Jan 18, 2022 at 6:40 AM
    #8
    MalinoisDad

    MalinoisDad Misanthropic dog person

    Joined:
    Jul 16, 2017
    Member:
    #224205
    Messages:
    1,406
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Michael
    Vehicle:
    01 TRD PreRunner 5VZ
    5100s w/ 881s, JBA UCAs, J59s, other stuff and things
    I have seen it mentioned on here before; I suppose specifically I’m curious if the reason for the leak has been addressed. I don’t know if that cover is sealed with FIPG or a form fitted gasket. I would wager the vast majority of 3rd gen owners would not be okay with having to do this repair every few years. I certainly wouldn’t. I enjoy working on my old truck but this sounds like a giant PITA. If once it leaks and it’s repaired properly the chances of a repeat failure go way down, that would seem reasonable to me.
     
    JRE likes this.
  9. Jan 18, 2022 at 9:57 AM
    #9
    mopar2

    mopar2 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2017
    Member:
    #209712
    Messages:
    466
    Gender:
    Male
    Franklin TN
    I'm very anal when it comes to maintenance, I do it myself because I don't trust the dealer. I change the oil and filter every 5000 miles with Mobil One and the truck is my daily driver and never ran hard. I do tow some of my small cars that weigh about 1600lb and thats the most it sees as hard driving. My first Toyota truck was a 1985 (last year for the straight axel) and I'v had gen 1 and gen 2 with little to no issues. This gen 3 is a big disappointment!!!!!!!!
     
  10. Jan 18, 2022 at 10:17 AM
    #10
    mopar2

    mopar2 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2017
    Member:
    #209712
    Messages:
    466
    Gender:
    Male
    Franklin TN
    From what I have read there is a gap between the head and block they filled with silicone. I hope to get in the dealer when the motor is removed and I can see the area its leaking.
     
    baboltin and JRE like this.
  11. Jan 26, 2022 at 5:24 PM
    #11
    mopar2

    mopar2 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2017
    Member:
    #209712
    Messages:
    466
    Gender:
    Male
    Franklin TN
    Picked up the Taco today, was at the dealer for 9 days to fix the leak. They also fixed the 3rd break light for the recall of leaking, I never had an issue but why not go ahead and do it. Very disappointed with the gen3.
     
    JRE likes this.
  12. Apr 10, 2022 at 6:19 AM
    #12
    MoreTacosPlease

    MoreTacosPlease Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2021
    Member:
    #384304
    Messages:
    37
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tacoma TRD Off road DCSB
    Hey dude, just hopping on to your post cause I saw you reply to my issue with the PS pump actually being the timing cover leaking. I'm glad you got it taken care of within warranty. Mine cost $4,000 and change and took them nearly 3 weeks with parts (but I had some rust from being a northern Taco). I did ask if this was something I'd have to do every 60k miles... cause if so I'd sell.... but they said no I should be absolutely fine. Yet I've had it back 2 days and I hear some weird rattling. Not really sure what to think. My '10 Taco was a beast, and my '16 has been nothing but a nuisance. I almost hate to say that cause I love tacos, but damn...
     
  13. Jul 7, 2022 at 3:22 AM
    #13
    vpcustoms

    vpcustoms Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2010
    Member:
    #33727
    Messages:
    174
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 Double Cab 4X4 TRD Sport
    Why isn’t this a recall? Seems like a lot of people are having this issue.
     
    Slappy Jones likes this.
  14. Jul 19, 2022 at 12:42 AM
    #14
    Jfish12

    Jfish12 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2016
    Member:
    #204722
    Messages:
    244
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 Black Tacoma TRD Sport RWD
    The 2nd gens had a TSB covered for this. The 3rd gens don't have one yet. From what I have read that this is a part that toyota has cheaped out on again... and put the burden on the customer... Will they create a TSB for their negligence? My truck is a pavement princess. I don't drive like a formula 1 driver either. Anyone who tries to convince me that its the customers fault for a timing cover leak is wrong. I can't reach that area and change anything in that area if my little brain even tried. I stayed up to date with my oil changes. So I'm still waiting. GL with your truck.
     
    JRE and MalinoisDad like this.
  15. Jul 19, 2022 at 4:34 AM
    #15
    vpcustoms

    vpcustoms Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2010
    Member:
    #33727
    Messages:
    174
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 Double Cab 4X4 TRD Sport
    Update: took the truck in and they said it was a rear main seal that was leaking. Unfortunately I am out of warranty. The dealer quoted me $2,200 to replace. I called around to other Toyota dealerships and found one that would do it for $1,100. I can’t believe that they can have such a difference in price from one dealer to another. They started the job on Monday hopefully that fixes the problem. I will update when I get it back. I am thankful that it’s not the timing cover that is leaking because it would have been way more expensive. Thinking about getting rid of the truck before that happens and maybe getting in to a 4runner.
     
    doublethebass likes this.
  16. Jul 19, 2022 at 5:02 AM
    #16
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2014
    Member:
    #140097
    Messages:
    23,469
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Billy
    Largo Florida
    Vehicle:
    '13 5 lug AC w/convenience package
    A few OE parts from fancy trucks
    Recalls are typically safety issues. Not leaks.

    Why did you suspect a timing cover leak? A rear main seal leak is on the opposite end of the engine.
     
  17. Jul 19, 2022 at 6:22 AM
    #17
    vpcustoms

    vpcustoms Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2010
    Member:
    #33727
    Messages:
    174
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 Double Cab 4X4 TRD Sport
    Why did you suspect a timing cover leak? A rear main seal leak is on the opposite end of the engine.[/QUOTE]

    The oil was all over the place due to highway driving. Didn’t know if it was leaking up by the timing cover and making it’s way down or not.
     
  18. Aug 29, 2022 at 5:28 PM
    #18
    TOY*TACO

    TOY*TACO Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2016
    Member:
    #189363
    Messages:
    7
    Gender:
    Male
    TX
    Vehicle:
    2020 DCSB TRD OR
    I think my timing cover is leaking as well. 2020 with 26k miles. My 4th tacoma, first 3rd gen. Very disappointing. Ill take it in this week and have it looked at.
     
  19. Oct 7, 2022 at 8:04 AM
    #19
    Peader24

    Peader24 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2019
    Member:
    #304648
    Messages:
    4
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2019 Black Tacoma Sport
    Chalk up another Leak. My 2021 with 18k is leaking out of the timing cover.
     
    wayupnort and sbx22 like this.
  20. Oct 26, 2022 at 8:36 PM
    #20
    Ronk44

    Ronk44 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2020
    Member:
    #315332
    Messages:
    581
    Gender:
    Male
    Rockerville, SD
    Vehicle:
    2017 MGM Sport
    Leveled with Bilstein 5100 shocks, Kumho AT52 265/75 tires, Redline hood struts, R4T tailgate lock, Matt Gecko LED strips in bed and under hood, WeatherTech hood guard, OEM bed mat, Husky floor mats, Carhart seat covers, Grille replacement with Toyota letters, Sony AX6000 replacement head unit, OTT lite/mild tune, and an occasional splash of fuel additive.
    I’m at 70,000 miles and have a timing cover leak. Waiting for authorization from warranty inspector (have to take vehicle back in for inspection and photos). Glad I have extended platinum warranty to cover the $2800 estimate to repair. To fix, mechanics have to pull motor out.
     
    RedWings44 likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top