Timing Chain Cover Gasket

well it seems like I have a small leak coming out of my timing chain cover gasket leaking antifreeze. Has anyone changed one before? Is it something that's easy to get to?

 

Your leaking anti-freeze out of the timing chain cover? Not oil? First I don't think there is a gasket for the timing chain just RVT or an applied rubber compound. Second, the timing chain, gears and guides are lubricated by un-pressurized oil. There is a TSB, I think, for a leak above where the PS pump attaches to the block. Water pump could be leaking but would have to disassemble to know for sure. If you have coolant leaking out if this area id be concerned that the oil would be getting washed out causing damage. I have no clue without pictures. You can leave the radiator in, remove the valve covers and intake, four bolts at the front of the oil pan and all the bolts on the cover.

 

Well it seems like there is an oil leak as well from that area but a shop told me timing chain cover leaking the anti freeze. I changed the water pump and radiator a few weeks back. Idk I'm really getting pissed about it ready to trade it in and buy a raptor. Tired of changing tie rods. Under the valve cover on passenger side you can see a little leakage with a mirror and can see it's wet. It looks like it could have a tiny oil leak because of the grime/dirt build up

 

It's hard to see the leak but it's coming from almost up under the valve cover, in line with the dip stick for oil, and also in line with the last bolts on the water pump on passenger side. It looks like the antifreeze is somehow running along the top of the water pump because the water pump is pink on top and the block has dried anti freeze on it. All the shit started after I overheated when my AC condensor lost a bracket and rubbed a hole in my radiator. Pissed

 

Ok wow. Dip shit at my local shop didn't tighten the bolts on my water pump. FUCKING HAND TIGHT. Was checking what socket size and the bolts spin right out. I'll be there first thing in the morning. Could there be damage from running it like this? Damage to the gasket?

I'm so mad. 2 days ago I found a hose clamp the guy forgot to put back on a water pump hose. I told the shop this and he said he has sense fired the employee who worked on my truck.

Should I demand a new water pump gasket?

 

Dam that's some BS. Sorry, but yes I would demand they pay to have it done right by someone else. If they redo it then I think id want to be present to watch. Some shops won't allow that because of liability. But you may as well have the timing chain cover leak fixed as well. It's a known problem, if I remember right, you grind down the PS pump bracket where it bolts in between the cover and block. It eliminates the pressure pushing against the cover which is causing the leak in this area. You'll change the valve covers when you pull the timing cover so that problem will be fixed. It's your truck and your choice but I own two fords, 3.0 duratec's, both leak from every gasket with about 150,000 on both. They idle and shift like shit. So your going from a very good vehicle to a shit heap. Although if someone gave me a raptor id drive it till the wheels fell off.

 

As long as you have enough coolant I don't think it will hurt it or the gasket. Although I would at least tighten the bolts down and only drive as needed until it was repaired. Check out the timing cover/ water pump bolt torque pattern in my first post. Good luck buddy.

 

Yes, you absolutely should. I know I would.

 

Just dropped it off. They are having a new tech look at it and tear it apart and were pretty apologetic and put my truck in front of everything else. I'll keep you updated. In my heart I love Toyota lol. Think I've just been getting pissed lately with this leak it's driving me nuts. Thanks for the help guys. At least the guy who originally did it doesn't work there anymore.

 

A lot of water pump gaskets on Toyota's these days are made of metal. My last year 1st Gen Tacoma(2004) 4 cyl had a metal gasket. Can't help but wonder if the 2nd gen came with a metal water pump gasket as well. If that's your situation, I'm not sure it needs to be replaced.
If you have sockets/wrenches - snug it down yourself.

 

It looked like a rubber/metal gasket like it had both. I'm not going to risk there being damage to the gasket or maybe the tech stripped something out installing it. I'm just letting them deal with it I paid good money. If I wanted a half ass job I could have hired the tweaker shop down the road for half the price and they would have done a better job then this!!!

 

I hope they get it sorted out. I'll bet a buck they do nothing more than snug down the bolts.

 

Ya that's probably all they will do but some are a bitch to get to and I'd rather have them do it. It's only like a 2 minute bike ride to the shop from my house so it's easy to drop off and pick up. I should have told them to use loctite on it so I don't have to deal with it saga in but we'll see

I'm getting nervous though because they started working on it 2 hours ago at least and I haven't got a call back so I hope it's nothing else

 

UPDATE: Went and picked the truck up. They said there was several bolts not tightened. We will see how it holds up. They said they checked the gasket and it looked good

 

what is the size of the bolts (shaft)? the head is 12 mm for both A and B and the shaft is the same, only length differs