Probably the VVTI oil line that is in that same spot. Mine recently let go and was making a big mess, much more so than the timing cover weep. Much easier to see without the power steering pump in the way.

Here are the parts:
15772-31010 Engine Oil Cooler Line $20.72
90430-16016 Engine Oil Cooler Gasket $1.34
90430-16012 Engine Oil Cooler Gasket $1.39

So I brought the car to the dealer out of frustration and they've pinpointed it to the front crankshaft seal as suspected. Absolutely insane that this is leaking this amount with 40k miles but that's a separate rant.

The dealer is recommending replacement of the seal (obviously), belt (likely spoiled by the oil - ok fair), and the actual crankshaft pulley which doesn't make sense to me. The pulley is of course expensive. Does anyone see anything wrong with just doing the belt and seal?

if you doing it yourself, you may get away with old pulley, if you inspected and pulley has no wear at seal contact area. but shop will either replacing all mating parts to minimize customer come back, or install old pulley, at your request, and do not give you warranty on service performed.

Is there any cause - effect relationship between a clogged PCV valve and the timing cover gasket being the easiest thing to blow out?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just a thought, but any chance the pulley itself is out of balance and the vibration caused the downstream leak of oil by the pulley? For the work of removal and all the crap, I would ditch the old pulley to be sure. Would be a shame to put it back on and have the same problem again.

It's definitely possible. I ended up replacing all the parts - Camshaft pulley, belt, seal and the leak is gone. Definitely more than I bargained for a 4R with low mileage but I'm hoping I won't need to cross this path again down the road and now the truck is running smoothly again. Just in time for a wintery drive up north.

Also good awareness and a potential weak point for anyone with a 5th gen. Camshaft seals can leak prematurely. My 4R is likely over-maintained. I scoured the internet after finding the leak and have found at least 2-3 people that have had the same occurrence. I'm the first one that's out of warranty. FYI the OEM camshaft pulley alone is about $400USD although the job itself is not overly difficult.