Timing cover leak = first trip to dealer

[cmills]

I just changed the oil yesterday and noticed some oil up around the power steering pump and when we got to looking it appears to be the timing cover that is leaking. I'll probably run it for a few thousand miles so I don't feel like I just wasted the money on the oil change and then take it in to the dealer.

This will be my first time dealing with the service dept. at this dealer, so wish me luck.

 

[Jtraskell]

I just changed the oil yesterday and noticed some oil up around the power steering pump and when we got to looking it appears to be the timing cover that is leaking. I'll probably run it for a few thousand miles so I don't feel like I just wasted the money on the oil change and then take it in to the dealer.

This will be my first time dealing with the service dept. at this dealer, so wish me luck.

In an abundance of caution, did you check your power steering fluid cap? I remember years ago, went wheeling in fairly rough country. When I got back home I thought I had a "leak" around something. (Cant remember which part of the engine now), a while later while checking all the fluids, I checked the power steering fluid reservoir, via the cap, discovered the cap was not tightened down all the way, which caused the fluid to spill out with heavy bumping, coating the area of the engine I thought was leaking.......it did not take much to look like the engine part was leaking. Be safe.

 

[cmills]

No its defintely not the power steering reservoir, at first I thought it was the oil feed line that goes from behind the power steering pump up to the valve cover, but I checked and that fitting is very tight. When we started looking a little closer it looks like it's the timing cover that is leaking and the oil is running down on that fitting.

 

[rickwol]

You mentioned oil. Do you mean it's leaking coolant, near the block? Does it look like a sizable job? By that I mean are there a number of parts that need to be taken off to get at the cover? Those gaskets are normally made from either cork or rubber and should not deteriorate this quickly.

 

[Theslammer21]

its a timing cover leak for sure. common on the gr series motors being 1gr 2gr 3gr or 4gr. hell of a job. i dont think you have to pull the motor on these like the camrys but its a lot of work. oil pan and sub pan have to come off. accessories on front of engine, ac comp, alt etc... valve covers have to come off.

and to clear it up, its a silicone seal, FIPG (form in place gasket)

 

[cmills]

Like Theslammer said, it is silicone instead of a gasket. I did not know this was a common problem. Is there a known reason?

 

[Theslammer21]

Like Theslammer said, it is silicone instead of a gasket. I did not know this was a common problem. Is there a known reason?

i wouldnt say common on 5th gen but i know it was common 05-07 4runners and 07-09 camrys/es350s, and gs300/is350/gs350.

where the leak originated is where the cylinder head, block, and timing cover. meets. some people say lack of silicone. poor design. surfaces are slightly uneven for the cover to seal because the head is slight further back

 

[Theslammer21]

here a pic, front cover has to seal to this

 

[cmills]

That looks about right, the only good thing is the fact that the dealer may be familiar with this problem.

 

[Jeremy556]

i wouldnt say common on 5th gen but i know it was common 05-07 4runners and 07-09 camrys/es350s, and gs300/is350/gs350.

where the leak originated is where the cylinder head, block, and timing cover. meets. some people say lack of silicone. poor design. surfaces are slightly uneven for the cover to seal because the head is slight further back

Add 2005+ Tacomas to that list - there is a TSB for it.

Had mine done a couple of years ago. No leaks since, but I'm shredding drive belts regularly, now.

 

[cmills]

I was just looking around and found a bunch of people having this issue, even on the new tundras with the 5.7. I think I might just let it go and see how bad it gets after reading some of the horror stories of all the stuff that was wrong after they took it to the dealer for the repair.

 

[rickwol]

i wouldnt say common on 5th gen but i know it was common 05-07 4runners and 07-09 camrys/es350s, and gs300/is350/gs350.

I don't like the sound of this at all. If it was common for the 05-07 4runners then I'm wondering why it was not publicized more as this seems to be a very expensive and involved repair. I wonder if there are any failure rates published anywhere to get an idea of how widespread the problem really was. Personally, I've never come across any mention of this when talking with people that have and currently own 4th gens, or when doing reliability or dependability searches of my own. Also, I know in recent years many of us have been less then thrilled with some of the Consumer Reports data but usually they are pretty good when coming up with their list of vehicles to avoid for certain years. Seems that this type of repair would have figured prominently into that determination. Can't say I've ever seen any T4R as being on that list for any year.

 

[Theslammer21]

I don't like the sound of this at all. If it was common for the 05-07 4runners then I'm wondering why it was not publicized more as this seems to be a very expensive and involved repair. I wonder if there are any failure rates published anywhere to get an idea of how widespread the problem really was. Personally, I've never come across any mention of this when talking with people that have and currently own 4th gens, or when doing reliability or dependability searches of my own. Also, I know in recent years many of us have been less then thrilled with some of the Consumer Reports data but usually they are pretty good when coming up with their list of vehicles to avoid for certain years. Seems that this type of repair would have figured prominently into that determination. Can't say I've ever seen any T4R as being on that list for any year.

update
03-07 runner with 1gr (tsb)
05-08 tacoma with 1gr (tsb)
07 fj cruiser with 1gr (tsb)
07 camry 2gr (tsb)
07-08 camry (camshaft housing) 2gr requires front cover removal per repair manual
07 ES350 2gr (tsb) also camshaft housing leak
06 IS250/IS350 and GS300 timing cover and camshaft housing leak 4gr 2gr and 3gr engines(tsb)

i have also seen a 2011 4runner limited leaking at 5,000 miles

 

[rickwol]

update
03-07 runner with 1gr (tsb)
05-08 tacoma with 1gr (tsb)
07 camry 2gr (tsb)
07-08 camry (camshaft housing) 2gr requires front cover removal per repair manual
07 ES350 2gr (tsb) also camshaft housing leak
06 IS250/IS350 and GS300 timing cover and camshaft housing leak 4gr 2gr and 3gr engines(tsb)

i have also seen a 2011 4runner limited leaking at 5,000 miles

Oh, I don't doubt you at all. I'm just wondering how widespread this has been and currently is.

 

[cmills]

I just got on line and searched something like Toyota timing cover leak and found quite a few instances, and I didn't look at all of them by no means.

I really think I am going to just leave mine alone and see how bad it really is, I wouldn't think it would leak really bad because I don't think there really should be that much oil pressure there, I would think it would just be what is getting thrown off the timing chain and and maybe some oil spray from an oil jet somewhere. But really I am just guessing and hoping it will not get to bad so I can just leave it.

BTW mine is a 2011 with around 24,000 miles.

 

[kmiller8821]

I just got on line and searched something like Toyota timing cover leak and found quite a few instances, and I didn't look at all of them by no means.

I really think I am going to just leave mine alone and see how bad it really is, I wouldn't think it would leak really bad because I don't think there really should be that much oil pressure there, I would think it would just be what is getting thrown off the timing chain and and maybe some oil spray from an oil jet somewhere. But really I am just guessing and hoping it will not get to bad so I can just leave it.

BTW mine is a 2011 with around 24,000 miles.

I would personally have the dealer look at that anyway. Perhaps yours is not coming from where you think. On a vehicle under warranty, I wouldn't wait - just my personal opinion. My limited now has about 27k miles on it (2010) and I've seen no evidence of any leaking at all.

 

[Theslammer21]

I just got on line and searched something like Toyota timing cover leak and found quite a few instances, and I didn't look at all of them by no means.

I really think I am going to just leave mine alone and see how bad it really is, I wouldn't think it would leak really bad because I don't think there really should be that much oil pressure there, I would think it would just be what is getting thrown off the timing chain and and maybe some oil spray from an oil jet somewhere. But really I am just guessing and hoping it will not get to bad so I can just leave it.

BTW mine is a 2011 with around 24,000 miles.

as all leaks, they only get worse in time but have seen peole go 15,000 miles with out a problem. theres no oil jets that spray besides below the pistons on these motors. only slinging oil from the chain itself. just keep an eye on oil level monthly between oil changes and you should be fine letting it go for a little while.

 

[chetJ]

If I want to be sure that I do not have this issue- where exactly should I be looking after I open the hood?

 

[Theslammer21]

If I want to be sure that I do not have this issue- where exactly should I be looking after I open the hood?

best going under the vehicle and tilt your front shield down as if you are doing an oil change and look up by the power steering pump.

try and refer to the drawing witht he suspect leak sourse i posted early to get you an idea of wheres it at

 

[cmills]

as all leaks, they only get worse in time but have seen peole go 15,000 miles with out a problem. theres no oil jets that spray besides below the pistons on these motors. only slinging oil from the chain itself. just keep an eye on oil level monthly between oil changes and you should be fine letting it go for a little while.

Yeah I'll just keep an eye on it and see how long I can go. I do have warranty for 5yr or 125,000 miles so I'm not too worried. Its just that the last time I had a car (08 Nissan Altima) in for major repairs it was a disaster and I hate to go through all that again, if it was something little I would take it right away.