Check while you still have a warranty

I just got the confirmation from the dealership that my timing cover was the reason for the oil leak I found while I was putting on the lift. The robot or person that puts the silicone on missed about 1/4". I saw this was a big deal on the 2nd gens but haven't seen much about it on 3rd gens but apparently they didn't figure out how to seal it still. Figured I'd post this so people knew to check it out while you still have a warranty. To be fixed by the dealership they pull the engine so $$$ if you don't find it until after. The only reason I found mine was leaking was because I pulled the skid plates off to lift it and had to pull the splash guard off on the passengers side it didn't leak enough to ever drip on the ground. If you have oil build up around your power steering pump (mostly on the bottom of it) chances are its that cover. This is on a 2018.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

where mine is leaking they was able to access it by taking off the power steering pump and used a syringe to to inject the sealant where it's leaking. If my warranty was about over I would have had them fix it the right way by pulling the engine and re doing the whole thing but that makes me nervous because that possibly could cause bigger problems in the future so where I'm still covered until 2022 I figured they could try it but if it still leaks after I will definitely take it back. Also an idea if your warranty is over and you notice the leak.

 

Thanks! Your info came at a great time! Having oil leak from exactly that area, was guessing valve cover gasket or power steering pump cause my skids are clean. Taking my Taco in next weekend and will chime back in later.

 

Here's a picture of where I could see the fresh oil after I cleaned off all the old stuff. Its really hard to see where its clean oil but this is looking in the passenger's side wheel well behind the front splash guard. The oil was pooling up under that bolt but I could feel up above it and knew the oil was coming from somewhere above that.

 

There's been a couple cases of timing cover leaks on the 3.5, the rear main seal as well. It's good practice to thoroughly inspect for leaks during oil changes. Also good to read all the service bulletins and do a thorough look over of everything before the warranty expires. It really sucks when you find a leak after the warranty, and yet in all likelihood existed while under warranty.

 

Crappy pic but this is what mine looks like from the ground looking up.

 

that looks pretty much the same as mine did before I went and sprayed everything off

 

Thanks for sharing, hopefully it will help others keep an eye out for the same issue.

Regarding that fix, hard to say if their fix of external sealant will work. It worked for me on the case split of a Harley engine; surface prep with lots of solvent is key. Certainly there are risks other issues down the road when pulling an engine, a pinched wire can be hell to find.

This would normally be covered on the 5yr/60k warranty. I assume you're over on miles?

 

No I'm still covered I only have 11,000 miles on the truck. That's why I'm letting them try that fix 1st that way if it works awesome they don't have to pull the engine and I don't have to worry about issues associated with that. If it doesn't work I'll take it back and have them pull it and do the real fix.

 

@mattleg far as my situation is I’m at 41k and purchased the 7yr Warranty when I bought my Taco In 16’ so not really concerned but... at the moment putting my Taco back to stock in hopes of trade in for a 2020 or 2021 next month

 

Might not be covered under warranty, due to Toyota's redefinition of leak vs seep in a recent TSB.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2019-v6-rear-main-leak.650653/page-2#post-22620813

 

I love Toyota trucks but they are sure making it easy to not want to ever buy another one with their loop holes! luckily mine is covered by the warranty. Obviously they know this is a problem and the way they engineered it, it's a pain in the ass to fix so looks like to me they are just trying to get out of what they know they screwed up.

 

If it drips it's covered is the basics of that TSB. The ones that just wet the surface around the seal, varnish, and collect dust are not.

 

I have drops on my driveway so definitely dripping. We’ see in about a week or so.

 

I'm surprised they haven't injected dye into your oil. Then use fluorescent light and glasses to confirm an obvious oil leak for warranty coverage. Especially on a timing cover. God bless Wyoming

 

Yep, my 16 has already been fixed for the same issue.

 

Can you be a bit more specific as to where to look?

My warranty is VERY close to running out...., and I would like to check it myself before taking it in for the tire rotation/final service before the warranty runs out. I have more time left on toyotacare… but that warranty is short-timing it.

 

either take you skid plates off and look on the passengers side of the engine block by the power steering pump or pull the front splash guard out of the wheel well and look straight in toward the power steering pump. theres no way to see right where the leak is coming from unless you pull your power steering pump off.