Another timing chain cover leak

Not necessarily. There is a defect or assembly issues somewhere in the process. Hence why they stop leaking once resealed and only some people have the issue

There is no excuse why a modern engine should need a $3000 timing cover reseal at any point in its lifespan. Call it what you want but there is something not being done correctly when some of the motors are being built. It could be an assembly issue, could be a machining defect, etc. It's a defect of sorts being that it is covered under the powertrain warranty.

 

I watch the car care nut YouTube channel. That guy seems to know his stuff. It’s not just tacomas. He has Toyotas of all models on that show that have timing cover leaks. One of his earlier episodes he had a Toyota Corolla with 200,000+. Opened the hood and exclaimed oh the traditional smell of Toyota oil leaks! Lol. On his inspection of the car he showed how the oil was leaking from all around the timing cover. His advice to the customer with this particular car was get engine cleaned up good if the smell was annoying and then monitor the oil level and drive happily. He said many many Toyota timing covers leak. And I guess that’s the case for me. Lots of YouTube videos out there with people talking about their timing covers leaking in just about all makes of Toyotas. So I guess it’s just a Toyota challenge. Wow they say they test and test. But you would think with all their testing they would have this sort of problem and fix it. Why are they gluing the engines together if they are so prove to leaks.

oh well whatever. I can clearly see where it’s leaking. I retorqued the bolts in the area. See if it helps. If not, not going to worry about it. Not for less than ¼ quart per oil change. Let her drip. Good corrosion protection. Lol. Truck runs like the day I drove it out of the show room. And I’ve so far managed to keep the rust out with continual patching of paint each year in the frame and any body parts + the extensive use of fluid film. Since in Massachusetts our new governor wants to eliminate the sales of gas cars by 2030 it appears I’ll be driving this truck forever. An EV would never meet my camper towing and travel needs. And I doubt on a retired pension is every be able to afford one even if they meet my needs. $90,000 for a f150. Just as much for the Chevy. OMG. I didn’t pay that much for my house! I was reading on Toyota website I could still get a Tacoma off-road with no extra options for $39,000. So who knows. Maybe I’ll drive this 5 more years and then buy a new one one more time before all these crazy communist rules come down on us. Just wait. Massachusetts will come out with an extra carbon tax next just to punish people who need gas vehicles even more. Oh well. I’m retired. Can live cheap. It they put me under then I guess they will be kicking me out too. I’m sorry but I think people should have a choice. Electric or hybrid or hydrogen or gas. It used to be a free country.

 

200k vs 50k is a huge difference. All motors will leak oil at some point from somewhere but should never happen on a newer car with low miles. A slow weeping timing cover is not a big deal but can turn into a bigger leak at any point in time. Not worth it while you may be towing 1000 miles away from home.

F150 is not 90k man. You can buy one new for close to the same price as a tacoma.

 

On our-then 07 Lexus ES350 with the 3.5 V6, I significantly reduced the timing cover oil seepage by changing the oil from 5/30 to 10/30. That engine now has 290K and oil seepage is almost nonexistent. I think the seeping oil has crystallized around the leaking area, effectively, plugging it up. I recently detected a timing cover oil leak on our 18 RX350 with the 3.5 and 49K. It should be covered by the 70k powertrain warranty. Over on the Lexus forums this oil leak has been a popular topic for some ten years plus. Applying silicone to the outside of the engine has been one solution.

 

I've used 0W30 since about 43k (now has 228K) so I'm hoping the engine flush did it... but I never, ever have good luck, so we'll see.

 

My 2017 has 65,409 miles on it. My battery was going bad for the second time and it was under warranty so I took it into the dealer for a replacement battery. Well guess what. Mine is also leaking. Under extended warranty. They said the cost will be ~$4000 to fix. Best way to fix is pull the motor.

 

My sr5 is almost at 80k and its still bone dry. Oil changes are done every 10kish with cheap oil.

 

Sorry to bump an old thread…..

But are we all doomed w this?

Is this like the bypass joint where we’d have to keep replacing it?

 

Curious the rate of the leak reappearing after it has been previously fixed. Had my '16 done 18 months / 12k miles ago and found it's leaking again. Seems to be a few people here reporting the leak has come back. I'm wondering if it's worth having fixed a second time if it's going to keep happening.

 

Maybe a crazy idea,but I was wondering if you can get to where the leak starts and spray it with Flex Seal before it starts and is still dry would this help for later?Probably void the warranty???

 

I think something like that is really best to stop something from leaking into something, rather than leaking out. Plus, it would be almost impossible to do a good job and plus like you said the dealer would probably pass the buck to you anyway and you'd be really SOL.

 

'17 Tacoma - No noticeable leaks at 67,500, but developed substantial leak by 75,000. Timing cover seal, rear main seal, and rack & pinion leak. Full motor-out repair for seals and full rack/pinion replacement. Quoted about $9k at Camelback Toyota.

Sad to say I traded her in... the 4Runner got promoted to daily driver.

Good luck out there gentlemen (and ladies)

 

Degrease it, trade it in. Your truck will never be the same after the repair. The entire drive train needs to be pulled in order to fix.