progress4m
Member
That is very sad… I am sorry man…
If leak is relatively small (seep) I would try to seal it outside – just like it is described in the post above.
Timing cover leak = first trip to dealer
- Thread starter cmills
- Start date
That is very sad… I am sorry man…
If leak is relatively small (seep) I would try to seal it outside – just like it is described in the post above.
johnnygraphic
Member
Thanks. I just need to take a break from dealing with this thing for a bit. I'm going to call my trusted Toyota independent mechanic and see exactly what my options are at this point.
My biggest worry is what'll happen if I ignore it. I don't want the oil to mess anything else up.
Your fix is looking good at this point.
progress4m
Member
Totally understand. IMHO: I do not believe anything bad will happen if you ignore it, dirty (covered in oil film) engine compartment is the worst of it- obviously this is not great, but it is not catastrophic situation. Best of luck to you!!!
Keep us posted if you can, as it will help others.
2024runner
Junior Member
2024 sr5 with 48k miles was leaving oil drops on garage floor. I didn't think it was a big deal because sometimes after an oil change it will drip from the skid plate. I did the last oil change on 6/14/2026 when it had 45.5k miles.
I kept checking the oil level and it was within normal levels. it kept dripping so last night I got under the car and saw that oil is everywhere. as high as the battery cover and as far back as the transmission cover. I changed the oil, thinking maybe I didn't have the filter gasket installed correctly or something, but everything was normal.
here are some pictures, mine looks much worse than most of the other pics in in this thread
I kept checking the oil level and it was within normal levels. it kept dripping so last night I got under the car and saw that oil is everywhere. as high as the battery cover and as far back as the transmission cover. I changed the oil, thinking maybe I didn't have the filter gasket installed correctly or something, but everything was normal.
here are some pictures, mine looks much worse than most of the other pics in in this thread
AuSeeker
Elite Member
2024 sr5 with 48k miles was leaving oil drops on garage floor. I didn't think it was a big deal because sometimes after an oil change it will drip from the skid plate. I did the last oil change on 6/14/2026 when it had 45.5k miles.
I kept checking the oil level and it was within normal levels. it kept dripping so last night I got under the car and saw that oil is everywhere. as high as the battery cover and as far back as the transmission cover. I changed the oil, thinking maybe I didn't have the filter gasket installed correctly or something, but everything was normal.
here are some pictures, mine looks much worse than most of the other pics in in this thread
No one can tell you where yours is leaking oil from either looking at it in person and or these photos, the only way to find the leak will be to use "brake cleaner" and clean all the oil you're seeing now and then check it daily to see where the oil leak is originating from, then you can try and fix it, just a very small oil leak can nearly cover a engine completely in a short time from the engine fan and wind from driving blowing it all over and still not show much oil lost on the dipstick.
2024runner
Junior Member
it's only 2 years old, so I'm bringing it in. I've gotten under it while it's on and can't tell where it's coming from. it's just discouraging, bought this specifically because I wanted the proven v6 over the 4 cylinder turbo, but I still am dealing with this. I just don't trust the dealership to put it back together right, but I don't know what other choice I have
johnnygraphic
Member
Agree with you. Get it into the dealership asap. Have them take a look at it. In all likelihood, they will do what AUSeeker said. Cleaning off the engine and look at it again after some mileage. They will also put in UV dye in the oil to help trace it.
DO NOT let them say it is unusual cuz it's not.
If you can, put miles on it as soon as you can so they can reinspect it before the month is out. This way they can keep the case open.
Hopefully, they will take care of you. And don't fret, they usually have their top techs work on these jobs. They DON'T want a redo.
Check out this guys work at a Toyota Dealership.
AuSeeker
Elite Member
Here's the same Toyota Tech in the above posted video (which shows nothing of actually doing the job) doing a complete engine "re-seal", this shows the entire process but it's in fast forward and it's a little over 1 hour long, to watch all of this in real time it would take days but I highly recommended watching it just so you know what all it involves to fix these oil leaks properly, and also why it would cost many, many thousands of dollars if you had to pay Toyota to do this job if it isn't covered under warranty!!
Hopefully your Toyota dealership has a tech as good as this guy is and has him do the job!!
johnnygraphic
Member
Thanks for posting this video. I saw that before. It is amazing what this job really entails.
johnnygraphic
Member
When I first saw that, I thought the same thing. But in another one of his videos, he mentions it's not a problem and he's never had a return. And it has to be better than factory...just sayin...
Way too craft-sensitive for me. Don't try this at home folks.
2024runner
Junior Member
it's such an involved process. makes me worried about the future reliability of the vehicle after the repair is completed. had a ford edge with a leaky ptu before this which pushed me back to Toyota, but I'm discouraged about this and what else might go wrong after the warranty runs out
Using a wire wheel to 'clean' aluminum gasket surfaces, is very poor practice. It's really just a matter of time until that 'technique' comes back to bite him.
This is exactly why my 2016 ES 350 timing cover is still leaking, and when it gets too bad I will attempt to seal it from the outside. My 4Runner is not leaking, but if it were I would run it that way as well for a while and then attempt the exterior fix.
Of coarse mine are not under warranty so understand the dilemma. The earlier Tundra 5.7 V-8's have cam tower FIP gaskets that leak onto the exhaust manifold. Complete top side teardown. A lot of owners report issues after the repair.
Very hit and miss with the Toyota FIP gaskets. The sealant itself is not the issue, it is the surface cleanliness or the amount applied by the automation process.
The process itself works great, I have been doing it to chevy/ford/olds etc. intake manifolds for many many years.
2024runner
Junior Member
so it's just a roll of the dice as to longevity of the vehicle after the repair? or should I ask the dealer to do something specific to prevent future issues? my appointment is this Thursday 8/13. maybe I'll just sell the truck after it's repaired
I wouldnt say longevity issues as much as just normal risk when taking anything apart. They will never put a lackey on a job like that and most senior techs take pride in their work. If mine were under warranty I would do it. Mine are not and I wont pay for the fix due to the minor leak.
You will be able to assess the vehicle after the repair and decide if worth hanging on to.
johnnygraphic
Member
Toyota outlined the repair in their TSB for the prior gen 1GR-FE, which was to reseal using black Form In Place Gasket sealant (FIPG). They use a gray FIPG at the factory which normally works, but for whatever reason, it leaks at the same spot. Perhaps there is some slight amount of contamination in the assembly process?
As to your question of selling your now fixed 4Runner, that is up to you. The bigger question is what are you going to replace it with? Another 4Runner? A different brand? You roll the dice in either case.
2024runner
Junior Member
just an update, dropped it off 8/13 they cleaned up the oil and put dye in it. said they couldn't find any oil/dye so they gave it back to me Tuesday 8/18, charged me almost $213 and a $37 fuel charge for the rental that they said I didn't fill up (I was told to fill it to the same amount I received it which was just under 3/4th a tank)
drove it around for less than 100 miles (it's my wife's DD) and got under it last night with a uv light and there is dye/oil everywhere. they won't let me bring it back in till my tech is back on Tuesday, but I can't see where the oil is coming from even with the dye.
drove it around for less than 100 miles (it's my wife's DD) and got under it last night with a uv light and there is dye/oil everywhere. they won't let me bring it back in till my tech is back on Tuesday, but I can't see where the oil is coming from even with the dye.
johnnygraphic
Member
Not sure why they would keep the 4Runner and wait for it to leak?!?! Some dealers can be a real pain to deal with. Anyways, bring it back on Tuesday and hopefully they can track down the leak.
Let us know how it goes.
