Timing Chain Cover Leak ?

[act1v3x]

Hey guys,

I recently discovered a small leak near the power steering pump on my
06 4Runenr. After some research and then taking it to a friend that is a mechanic we discovered that it could almost 100% be the timing chain cover leaking. From what I was able to find online since there is not that much pressure it doesn't get bad. Has anyone had bad experience with this ? Should I get this replaced/resealed ?

Also I've got a 3m/3000mi warranty from the dealer that was supposed to cover Engine, Transmission and Driveline. After speaking with them about the timing chain cover issue they said it's not covered under the engine since it's not internal. Anyone has an idea if this is true ?

 

[dereky]

I thought I had one but it turned out to be a crank deal leak. Which is a much cheaper fix. Timing chain seal is a tough job with all labour and no parts. It'll probably never get really bad but make certain it's not crank seal. Mine seeped for 2 years then suddenly lost a 1/2 litre out of the crank seal after being parked.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Huh? That's a really weird warranty coverage, I would make sure you look over your agreement and really go word for word with a supervisor.

IF it is a timing cover leak, I'm surprised we aren't seeing more as these engines get older to be honest; but it should be covered under the warranty I would imagine since it sort of is internal (the inside of the cover is bathed in oil to keep the chains lubricated, if it all leaks out that would cause some internal issues I would imagine.)

 

[act1v3x]

Thanks for the input guys. The only thing I'm worried about if I go and push them to do it is how do I know if they're not just gonna screw me over in some other way? Maybe I'm just being paranoid but I read some post where people described not so pleasant experience when getting this cover resealed..

 

[asdfman7]

I fixed mine myself a couple of months ago. Took my brother and I about 8 hours to do it, excluding all the time searching for a pulley holder for the crank pulley. You don't have to, but it's a good time to replace the water pump and the seal behind the crank pulley that is pressed into the timing cover. Mine had been leaking for a year or so, didn't really notice it until I used synthetic. I noticed it around 75-80,000 miles.

 

[act1v3x]

I fixed mine myself a couple of months ago. Took my brother and I about 8 hours to do it, excluding all the time searching for a pulley holder for the crank pulley. You don't have to, but it's a good time to replace the water pump and the seal behind the crank pulley that is pressed into the timing cover. Mine had been leaking for a year or so, didn't really notice it until I used synthetic. I noticed it around 75-80,000 miles.

That sounds like hell of a job for someone like me that's pretty much changed oils, spark plugs and maybe brakes a couple times. Once it was resealed have you had any issues ?

Does anyone know if Toyota has fixed this issue in 08-09? Perhaps a new cover ?

Thanks !

 

[asdfman7]

That sounds like hell of a job for someone like me that's pretty much changed oils, spark plugs and maybe brakes a couple times. Once it was resealed have you had any issues ?

Does anyone know if Toyota has fixed this issue in 08-09? Perhaps a new cover ?

Thanks !

No new leak since I resealed it about 5,000 miles ago. I resealed it one weekend and put 2,500 on it the next week, watched it like a hawk, no issues.

My wife's 08 4runner hasn't leaked, but she's only at 57,000 miles...

 

[act1v3x]

No new leak since I resealed it about 5,000 miles ago. I resealed it one weekend and put 2,500 on it the next week, watched it like a hawk, no issues.

My wife's 08 4runner hasn't leaked, but she's only at 57,000 miles...

Since I've got a couple more months and couple more thousand miles on this promo warranty I might just clean the engine and see how it goes over the next month or so. If it comes back I might just have to take it back to them and try to get it done.

I'm thinking of taking a little road trip at the end of the summer so I don't want this to become a problem during that time..

 

[DoIEvenNeedThis]

Since I've got a couple more months and couple more thousand miles on this promo warranty I might just clean the engine and see how it goes over the next month or so. If it comes back I might just have to take it back to them and try to get it done.

I guess it's been a little while but did you end up getting it fixed or just let it be and clean as necessary?

I'm looking at buying a 2007 V6 SR5 with just over 100K miles and what looks like the same situation as you have/had to about the same extent.