The dreaded timing cover leak??

Hello TW,
I have a '16 ORDC with 41K on the odometer... I was giving it a thorough look before my extended warranty expires later this Summer when I discovered evidence of what may be the dreaded timing cover leak.
I'm making an appt for as soon as I can get it in and should be good due to the comprehensive warranty coverage which I'm now thankful to have purchased.
I'm wondering if I should expect engine or total front end removal for this procedure as I've heard tales of both scenarios. What's the proper repair method? How long will it take? and finally what are the things to look for/be aware after to try to ensure that everything has put back together correctly?
Thanks

 

I'd expect them to wash it down with brake clean and call it a seep and not a leak. They'll do anything to push it out of warranty

 

It's a new feature of the 3rd Gen to spray oil on the frame so it doesn't rust.

 

I hope not... if they try that or call it "normal" I'm gonna be an unhappy Karen!

 

Have it noted and save the document for future evidence when your attorney gets involved.

 

I doubt they'll do anything but clean it up and check it at a later date. At that point they'll deem it not severe enough to repair. Still worth getting it documented at least in case it gets worse.

I think they typically pull the engine to replace the gasket. I hate oil leaks, but personally I'd live with it rather than roll the dice on the dealer properly pulling and reinstalling the engine. And there's certainly no guarantee it won't just leak again.

 

Mine looks about the same. I put dye in mine but it's not a full on leak yet.

 

I don't see anything

 

We'll find out tomorrow morning when it goes in to the dealer... I also have a speed bump clank that I suspect is the body mounts which I'll probably just fix myself as I anticipate they won't be able to "replicate the issue"

 

You'll need to say that is dripping to the floor. Toyota doesn't consider it a leak if it doesn't.
The correct way is taking the whole thing out. My '17 went through it 3 times. the 2nd time they pushed the engine to the side and when it came back the 3rd time. they told me that it was wrong for the technician not taking the engine out the previous time.
On the 4th time I just traded it in and got a '21.
and pretty much anything can go wrong. the 3rd time on my way home. almost didn't make it all the way and had to have it towed back to the dealer because they left something loose. supposedly.
The only reason why I found out. was because as soon as the free oil changes finished. I took it to my mechanic and he notice it. who knows how long it had been leaking for. and with a skid plate on. is even harder to tell.

 

Went through this with my 16 OR. Found the leak myself and took it in for them to see what was going on. This is a known issue even with 2nd gens. They eventually had a TSB come out for it but not sure if there is one that covers the 3rd gen yet.

As for the fix, they had me do the dye test for 3 months after cleaning the area. I actually forgot about going back in and caught up with the service department 6 months later. They recommended that I not go through with the repair mainly due to how big of a job it was and the risk of something not going back together properly. I asked if they trusted their technicians to which they replied "yes" and I handed them the keys. Platinum warrantee to 100k also helped with getting the job approved from Toyota Corporate. I'm definitely over 20k miles since the repair and I have not had a single problem.

Be nice with the service department and you will likely get the outcome you are hoping for.

 

You're a brave person to try it again. Hope the '21 works out better. It's still unbelievable to me that this is still an issue.

 

Well. There is really nothing else out there. This ‘21 is I think my 5th Tacoma. And I never had an issue with them. The first 2 I bought used and abused the hell out of them. Never needed anything else but oil change and tuneup. Sold them with over 2 and 300k miles for the same that I bought them. The ones after sold with over 150k miles and the things still run like new. The ‘17 with the oil leak had 36k miles… LOL..
with the ‘21 I got the extended warranty from my credit union for like 600 bucks and it covers up to 100k. Hopefully I won’t need it.
So far I’m actually glad I had to get the ‘21. It runs a lot better and seems more solid. I don’t know what they did. But they did something. The cabin seems better insulated or something because I don’t hear the road as much. The doors feel heavier.
And so far no leaks…. Lol. It doesn’t have 3000 miles yet. We’ll see how it goes… but I wasn’t going to get a Ford.

 

What to expect.

 

Thanks so much for the detailed info... Silly and scary that the repair requires so much labor. I'll be as pleasant as possible and hope for experienced techs that have done this before, although I won't be surprised if they push it down the road or have me "monitor" the leak. I mainly need it documented at least as my extended warranty expires in late July and it's rare that a leak improves over time. Headed to the dealer in few hours... Will update later.

 

I have the same leak. Also on a 16 with 40k. Mines pretty minor. It doesn’t use any oil between 5k changes. It’s more of a seep that runs down and causes a few drops off the oil pan. I normally brake clean the heck out of the whole cover when I change my oil and watch it.

I bought CPO so I have warranty for 7 years or 100k so I’ll just monitor it for now. I’m an auto tech so trusting someone else to do it is hard for me. But if I were to do it I’d pull the front diff and go from there vs pulling the motor and disturbing more than I had to.

 

Toyota isn’t what it used to be. Ffs the paint fell off of mine that is like 1980s GMC bullshit.

 

I was pleasantly surprised by the dealership... They confirmed the timing cover leak and it's scheduled for repair with their master technician. I'm way nervous about the surgery, but at least it seems they're familiar with the repair. Do they use a better or improved gasket or is it just a new one same as the original? I'm hoping to have this as one and done as opposed to a repeat offender like some have reported.
I also had them check for the front end clank that I assumed was the body mounts, and they said my struts are worn... So guess it's time for an upgrade!

 

they are always nice and pleasant until you go to pick up your truck. Then you find the dents, nicks, scratches, broken underhood pieces, and then find it leaks again or you have a CEL. Then it gets unpleasant. There is no gasket there, just a bead of sealant. So I've read.

 

That’s what worry’s me about getting mine done. I’m a tech and said in my previous post about doing it myself but more I think about it I have warranty for a reason so probably going to have them do it. Just what you said is what worry’s me.