Timing cover leak = first trip to dealer
- Thread starter cmills
- Start date
Skurvy_Pirate
New member
2012 4Runner is at the dealer right now getting this repaired under warranty (truck is at ~80k miles). My question for anyone that had this fixed, did it come back? Is it a defect with an updated part or just a bad overall design? I am worried it will come back after warranty is expired.
NHinAK
New member
It's an issue with sealant not being put between the cover, block and head if I remember correctly. It shouldn't come back once fixed.
They had to remove my engine on my 2011 for the repair. 4 days total.
Skurvy_Pirate
New member
Thanks! Yeah, they said it was a pretty big job. But they kind of mentioned it as a side note, like the leak wasn't a big deal ("Timing cover leak, its about a 3 out of 10"). Probably because they didn't want to spend 4 days for a warranty fix haha. Well hopefully it is faster than that, they said probably 2 days.
ZoSoIV
New member
Leaking oil or antifreeze?
Skurvy_Pirate
New member
I assume oil, that is what I thought at least. But now that you ask I don't remember them specifically saying what type of leak. I will ask them next time I talk to them.
ZoSoIV
New member
My FJ was antifreeze but I’m the only one I know of that’s happened too
JohnnyBravo
New member
The OP was talking about an oil leak, if that's who you were referring to.
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Hi, Wife has 2010 4runner, 80k miles. Just had the dealer inspect the timing cover area today after they cleaned the area up a week ago. They said the leak is coming from the timing cover area where it meets the head gasket. They want to replace them both. Out of warranty, and they said >20 hours labor and total job $4,200. I'm inclined to monitor it for a month or so to see how much of a leak it really is. Any thoughts on the labor hours, pricing and whether monitoring it for a while is a good idea?
NHinAK
New member
It’s a well known issue. I’d try for a sympathetic “warranty” claim. I’d run it all the way to corporate if the dealer refuses.
Just called the Toyota Customer Experience Center, 800-331-4331, option 4, option 2. They are not giving up anything. Bought certified and added some level of warranty above that, but don't think it extended the 7 yr time. She said, no active warranty, no warranty enhancements for that problem and it's the customers liability for the work and repair.
Was looking around under the hood of my 2012 last night and it appears I've got this leak. First I was thinking it may just be valve covers, but now I'm pretty sure it's this timing cover leak. Engine uses pretty much no oil between the 10K mile changes, so I'm thinking about letting this one ride for a long while before I fork over the cash to pay for it. I'll do a bit of cleaning in there when I do my oil change soon and then keep my eye on it. At 88K miles now so there's no hope of a warranty claim...
QwikKotaTx
New member
Our 2010 has it too but not using any oil. It's a mess on the passenger side of the engine and the skid plate has a coating of oil as well. No other issues in 9 years, 90k miles of ownership. I will live with it, doesn't even leave oil stains on driveway. Still glad we did not waste money on the extended warranty.
Thanks! Glad to see I'm not the only one who's going to let this one ride. Like you, ours doesn't leave any oil in the garage. Aside from this, our 2012 has been the most bulletproof vehicle we've ever owned. I'll take a small oil leak any day over some sort of mechanical failure that leaves me stranded!
I bet many people have this leak and don't even realize it. I maintain my own vehicles and have now just realized it's there. Admittedly, I have to hurry my oil changes often due to having a family, but I still try to stay pretty observant about such things.
Jivewalker
Member
Mine has this leak, showed up about 40k ago at 140k. I hose it off every once in a while. It looks worse than it really is for me, just collects dirt. I use no oil either. If I ever have to do the valve covers or spark plug gaskets, I'll tackle it then.
Charlievee
Senior Member
Its not leaking. Just marking its territory. :lmao:
QwikKotaTx
New member
I hear ya. And it's my wife's vehicle. No good deed goes unpunished.
I tried to clean it off last time but it was all over. Will do a better job in the future. Ironically, the skid plate is all rusted and has a broken area near the center jack pad. We don't even salt the roads here.
Looks like I'm another one... I'm taking mine in on Monday to get an "official" diagnosis from the dealer and I'm gonna try my luck with corporate. I have a 12' with 125K on it and it's mostly been serviced at a Toyota dealer, from the previous owners. I feel like those techs dropped the ball because it's definitely been seeping for a bit and I'm the lucky one who gets to deal with it now. 11 months of owner ship and almost 5K to fix this:wtf:
kenwilliams0803
New member
This. I haven't noticed this on mine yet with 140k, and I am pretty observant. However, if I did, it wouldn't be a short term concern as long as it wasn't dripping on my driveway or on part of my exhaust and I still am using no oil between 7500 mi. changes.
Joe-Runner
New member
Add one more to the list!! I was so sure it was a power steering pump leak but after reading this whole thread, yup! It's a Timing Cover Leak. I just picked up the truck at 90K miles. It's really just a "seep" and has only coated the area; Hasn't been enough to even leak onto the skid plate.
I'm going to clean it up and keep an eye on the oil level and recurrence of oil on the engine, but yeah, there's no way I'm paying that amount of money to get this fixed :lmao:
Hopefully put another 200K on her with some minor cleanup here and there.
I'm going to clean it up and keep an eye on the oil level and recurrence of oil on the engine, but yeah, there's no way I'm paying that amount of money to get this fixed :lmao:
Hopefully put another 200K on her with some minor cleanup here and there.
