Timing Cover Leaking Oil !!!

Just to give you an idea. The power steering pump. Was covered in oil. And you have to look from under the truck.

 

My experience went something like this...

• I noticed the leak. Oil dripping off power steering pump, all over front of engine, and dripping onto front sway bar.
• Took it to dealer. They added UV dye right away and let the truck idle for about 30 minutes and said they couldn't' locate the leak. Tech says (under his breath) its the timing cover but to drive it for "a few thousand miles" with the dye.
• I drove it for close to 5000 miles with the dye.
• Took it back to the dealer - they found the leak.
• Truck spent 4 days in the shop getting fixed.
• Dealer calls me in the morning - truck will be ready.
• Dealer calls me at noon - truck won't be ready - we put a hole in your radiator by accident. Going to be a few more days, no radiator in stock.
• 2 or 3 more days later, I finally pick up my truck.
• ~10K miles later I see oil dripping from my power steering pump again

I'm at 55K miles now - glad I got the 100K extended warranty...

 

Sounds good that you have the extended warranty as that is a pricey repair

 

Wow, well that sucks. It seems like there are quite a bit of people having this issue. What would have happened if you didn't get the extended warranty? That's crazy hope it all works out for you.

 

Serious question. So the timing chain cover is seeping/weeping/very slow dripping oil. Are any of you actually loosing any measurable amount of oil? Say 1 cup in 1 thousand miles? 1 quart? Or literally a dozen or so drops over an entire oil change interval?

 

I just found out about mine. So since at least last October.. the power steering pump was covered in oil and also the front passenger side of the engine.

 

Nope. I think people have been catching it early enough before it gets that bad. Not sure what it would look like say at 100k miles going unrepaired. I'm sure time will tell as people put more miles on these trucks down the road. Not everyone is on a forum for their vehicle and unless you know about this issue you are probably not going to find it. The issue with such a small leak though is that it won't become very noticeable or problematic until the warranty has expired. Costing upwards of $2600 to have repaired outside of warranty

 

OK, thanks.

 

Steering wheel covered in oil? That sounds like you had a bucket of fried chicken. I think that's a different issue. Now I'm hungry.

 

Anybody qualified to do that work has the weekends off.

 

Lol... completely missed that...

 

This was my next question. Just because they fix it, does that mean you never have to worry about it ever again? Obviously not, from your experience. That sucks big time. I'm just at a loss for words. I don't understand how this can go on happening for years and years. It is well documented on 2nd Gen trucks and 4Runners too. Is it that hard to engineer a gasket that will not leak? Uggghh

 

That reminded me of this video, they have to take shortcuts because the tech doesn't get paid enough to complete the job properly.

 

We need a poll to gauge how widespread this is. I get it, it a concentrated forum sample, but I’d like to satisfy my own curiosity

 

Update:

Truck got dye added, I've got to drive it for 800-1k miles and then have it re-checked to locate the actual leak. They have acknowledged it is indeed leaking though, so that's a win for now.

 

Bro I’m having the same issue with the dealership I went to with the Dye. Luckily I have a friend that his friend is a lead tech at a Toyota dealership. He already said bring it in and we will get it done, no questions asked.

As well I’m soooooooo glad I got the 100K mile extended warranty. I feel bad for all the gents and ladies that didn’t get it.

 

Same here

 

I got dye in mine right now. Seems to be kinda grimey still. What kind of light do I need to check if the dye is visible?

 

Mine goes in Wednesday. They have a rental for me, I'm more curious what car I get to drive. Not too worried about the repair, Im sure they will fix it up right.

 

I think it’s UV?