Jeremy556
New member
Why do you think your transmission will go out?
Dealer wants $2400 to fix timing cover leak....
- Thread starter subspd
- Start date
Flyingbread1
New member
X2 on this question.
BlackWorksInc
New member
Have you tried a transmission fluid service with new WS ATF? Some members have had luck with drain and filling the transmission with about 8-12qts and that seems to typically address the shudder and shift issues.
Do you happen to have an update on your timing cover? I went to the dealership and they said there is a leak as well. The quote to fix was $1,300 but basically all labor. I don't see any oil on my driveway though. And I don't trust the guy because he tried to put a $50 gas cap on my car that I could have bought for $8 on Amazon.
subspd
New member
It's really just seeping not a leak. Take some engine cleaner and spray it all over that front cover it will clean it up and then you can see how long it takes for it to build up again. In most cases it's so slow there is just no point to doing the work until the timing chain needs replaced at 500k miles. 
Bbqqin
New member
Extremely sorry for the undesirable NECRO, but I need some advice from some people that know their $#*!. I've read mixed reviews about this topic, and what to properly do about it.
I am looking to buy my first 4th gen
party, 2006 4 x 4 v6 with approx. 71k miles on it, the overall condition of the car is pretty much amazing. No rust at all on the bottom chassis, or exhaust. Engine bay you could eat off of. One owner, and no accidents, Florida owned so no rust. Clean title and carfax.
SO...
I brought it to a Toyota dealership to get a multi-point inspection (or what ever they call it), and everything on the car is PRISTINE besides... Well the "timing chain cover is leaking". Quoted $2,900.00, 172$ in parts and 18 hrs of labor. Both the owner and my jaw dropped. We both walked out thinking "wtf?". The car (according to him) doesn't leak on the driveway, he got an oil change back on 1/27.
Am I getting sold a bill of goods on a perfectly fine car that just needs proper oil changes and TLC, or do I need to get this done? I'm going to suggest definitely getting a second and third opinion. A reputable source told me "if there is no white fluid in that area, you should be good". All I saw when the mechanic showed me with a flashlight was darker not-so-wet blackish oil substance.
tl;dr
Wtf do I do? The car is to much of a gem to pass up on something like this.
I am looking to buy my first 4th gen
party, 2006 4 x 4 v6 with approx. 71k miles on it, the overall condition of the car is pretty much amazing. No rust at all on the bottom chassis, or exhaust. Engine bay you could eat off of. One owner, and no accidents, Florida owned so no rust. Clean title and carfax.SO...
I brought it to a Toyota dealership to get a multi-point inspection (or what ever they call it), and everything on the car is PRISTINE besides... Well the "timing chain cover is leaking". Quoted $2,900.00, 172$ in parts and 18 hrs of labor. Both the owner and my jaw dropped. We both walked out thinking "wtf?". The car (according to him) doesn't leak on the driveway, he got an oil change back on 1/27.
Am I getting sold a bill of goods on a perfectly fine car that just needs proper oil changes and TLC, or do I need to get this done? I'm going to suggest definitely getting a second and third opinion. A reputable source told me "if there is no white fluid in that area, you should be good". All I saw when the mechanic showed me with a flashlight was darker not-so-wet blackish oil substance.
tl;dr
Wtf do I do? The car is to much of a gem to pass up on something like this.
Buy it... it's just seeping, the cover isn't under pressure so it shouldn't leak bad enough that it it drips on the ground. I, personally, resealed my timing cover myself because I can't stand a leak of any kind. Took me about 20 hours, replaced valve cover gaskets, intake gasket, water pump, OEM serp belt for the Tacoma 1grfe (half the cost, same belt size, just sourced differently from the 4runner) and used the Toyota FIPG gasket maker to seal the cover.
Just keep an eye on the oil level (Hint: pull the dipstick out and let it sit for 10 to 15 min, then check the oil level, that stick can be hard to read sometimes... you'll see what i'm talking about when you check it after its been running).
The timing cover leak shouldn't be the reason to pass up an otherwise perfectly good 4runner.
Bbqqin
New member
Than you for the reply. I have never really worked on cars but I am the engineering type that can watch a youtube video or instructions and replicate it without much problem. However when it comes to cars I'm not as confident. I was thinking along the lines of what you said, maybe I can just get the guy to significantly lower the price of the truck and then I get it fixed -if- and when I actually need to, and just monitor the oil levels. How much would it cost me to do if I did it myself and maybe the help with a mechanic buddy that knows a lot about yotas?
Shes so pretty :fish2:
Toyota service information says to pull the oil pan, which on a 4x4 means pulling the diff or pulling the engine...that adds a lot of hours to the job. You don't need to pull the pan or the diff to reseal the timing cover.
Pull the intake plenum, valve covers, alternator, fan, slide the PS pump and AC compressor out of the way, pull the AC bracket and balancer pulley. There are 4 oil pan bolts that go into the front cover that need to come out, but then the cover comes off.
Reinstallation with the oil pan on requires some care...there is a oil suction O-ring that goes between the pan and the front cover that requires a bit of care not to screw up, but it can be done this way, and is done this way all the time. Last one I did took me about 5 hours with replacing the timing chains.
Pull the intake plenum, valve covers, alternator, fan, slide the PS pump and AC compressor out of the way, pull the AC bracket and balancer pulley. There are 4 oil pan bolts that go into the front cover that need to come out, but then the cover comes off.
Reinstallation with the oil pan on requires some care...there is a oil suction O-ring that goes between the pan and the front cover that requires a bit of care not to screw up, but it can be done this way, and is done this way all the time. Last one I did took me about 5 hours with replacing the timing chains.
Bbqqin
New member
Again more really great info here, thank you for the help. I will take all of this into consideration while trying to further negotiate the final price.
Seems like the service info is guiding techs to go further than they really need to go to give this a proper fix? :caked: Oy
Flyingbread1
New member
Update on my leak
I am at 160000 and the leak is no worse than at 120000. Never need to add oil.
My timing cover has been leaking for about 5 years. I'm close to hitting 150,000 miles and have decided to give it some engine TLC. I'm having the timing cover repaired and with that I'll also have them replace the thermostat, serpentine belt, and water pump. I'm thinking about replacing the chain itself since I've read the chain expands and since it's coming off why not replace the with new one? I've gotten several quotes in the Austin, TX area from $1800-2200. Money isn't a deciding factor of getting this fixed or not. I've held off for about 5 years and have owned this 4Runner since Feb 2005. I've also been told that my XREAS shocks are leaking. That's another $2000 for OEM shocks. Unless I decided to go aftermarket. Still up in the air about that. It also needs a new paint job. I think I'll do that on it's 15 year birthday. So in next 5 years, I'll probably spend $6000 or $10,000 on repairs? I'm OK with that. I know the entire history of this beloved baby and I want to keep it at least 20 years. $10,000 over 5 years is STILL cheaper than paying $40,000 on a TRD PRO.
Strider
New member
My 2005 at 130k had the same issue quoted by a dealer. It looked slightly dirty and was potentially seeping. We are now at 167k and 4 years later, still looks the same as it did then. The dealer tried the ol’shovk and awe method. We do have a few local Toyota only shops in town. I called one and they said they’ve never done one and simply ask folks to watch the “leak”.
On the tranny, I noticed this 4Runner had some very slight shifting noises and I could feel it at times. I did a simple drain and fill ans It got better. I still need to do this 2-3 more time over the next year and then i’ll move onto a more 30k plan. This has worked for me and is relatively easy.
Best of luck to you all. I’d say you are doing the right thing by weighing options, reading some forums and watching some YouTube vids. Hopefully you can find a legit Toyota mechanic to shoot you straight too. I was freaked out a few times by items on both of my 4Runners and considered some alternative cars, but at the end of the day, any car is going to have a few major to minor issues for its years. Overall 4Runners are incredibly reliable and last a long time. I’d rather personally deal with these vs. other brands.
On the tranny, I noticed this 4Runner had some very slight shifting noises and I could feel it at times. I did a simple drain and fill ans It got better. I still need to do this 2-3 more time over the next year and then i’ll move onto a more 30k plan. This has worked for me and is relatively easy.
Best of luck to you all. I’d say you are doing the right thing by weighing options, reading some forums and watching some YouTube vids. Hopefully you can find a legit Toyota mechanic to shoot you straight too. I was freaked out a few times by items on both of my 4Runners and considered some alternative cars, but at the end of the day, any car is going to have a few major to minor issues for its years. Overall 4Runners are incredibly reliable and last a long time. I’d rather personally deal with these vs. other brands.
I got the timing cover fixed. I got quotes from 4 Toyota dealerships in Austin. Charles Maund Toyota quoted me $1864. Round Rock Toyota $2100. Lost Pines Toyota $2000 which included new water pump. Toyota of Cedar Park sent me mailer with a bunch of discounts on service, one of which was 15% off a 2nd opinion on service. I drove out to Cedar Park and showed them my printed quotes from Charles Maund Toyota. They matched their price plus 15% off. I thought WOW! I called Round Rock Toyota and emailed their service manager the quotes I got from Cedar Park and Charles Maund and asked him if he could match the other plus the 15% off. He agreed! So I paid $1500 for the timing cover at Round Rock Toyota. I bought the water pump, serpentine belt, and thermostat from Camelback Toyota online which also saved me a lot of money. I also decided to have the transmission fluid completed changed out. That was $325. I had the tires rotated and rented a car for a day. I changed out the power steering fluid myself. Next on my list is a brake fluid change. It's never been changed. Oops.
My advice to anyone doing elective service is to shop around. Get 3 or 4 quotes or wait until you get a coupon from a dealership if you want to go that route. I have used an independent Toyota shop for some work as well. You can also buy your genuine Toyota parts online much cheaper than what the dealership charges you. Dealerships charge you MSRP for parts. For example, the dealership is quoting me $348 for a XREAS shock. Camelback Toyota online charges $230 for that same part. Say what??? Yes, if you can wait for the work to be done, get the part numbers and find the parts much cheaper online.
My advice to anyone doing elective service is to shop around. Get 3 or 4 quotes or wait until you get a coupon from a dealership if you want to go that route. I have used an independent Toyota shop for some work as well. You can also buy your genuine Toyota parts online much cheaper than what the dealership charges you. Dealerships charge you MSRP for parts. For example, the dealership is quoting me $348 for a XREAS shock. Camelback Toyota online charges $230 for that same part. Say what??? Yes, if you can wait for the work to be done, get the part numbers and find the parts much cheaper online.
Atlanta_man
New member
Dealers will install parts you provide to them ? Good deal if you can find it.
TowMeOut
New member
I realize this is an old thread but I'll keep an eye out for updates. Both my valve covers "ooze" toward the front of the motor. When my truck actually gets a bath I soak the area in Simple Green and hit it with the fan spray on the pressure washer just to make me feel better. It doesn't appear to be getting any worse in the last year plus (I'm at about 145K). I park on the dirt at home and I don't care about the lot at work but I don't believe there's a drip.
As for the transmission shudder this seems to be really hit or miss. I did a preemptive strike by swapping out all the fluid through the cooler lines about a year ago (did the same service on the wife's van). I didn't shell out for the Toyota OE fluid but went with the Valvoline full synthetic ATF. There are a number of threads on here about using that fluid that give it a thumbs up. It was about 1/4 the price. The fluid that came out was surprisingly clean so I don't know if the previous owner had it serviced or not (bought it with about 120K). Either way....it drives and shifts beautifully (other than the damned driveshaft clunk...grease and it goes away for a while).
Good luck.
As for the transmission shudder this seems to be really hit or miss. I did a preemptive strike by swapping out all the fluid through the cooler lines about a year ago (did the same service on the wife's van). I didn't shell out for the Toyota OE fluid but went with the Valvoline full synthetic ATF. There are a number of threads on here about using that fluid that give it a thumbs up. It was about 1/4 the price. The fluid that came out was surprisingly clean so I don't know if the previous owner had it serviced or not (bought it with about 120K). Either way....it drives and shifts beautifully (other than the damned driveshaft clunk...grease and it goes away for a while).
Good luck.
Yes- as long as they are genuine Toyota parts.
