2017 Timing Cover Leak

If passenger side, you probably need to get around the steering pump.
Usually the leak is at the joint between the block and head( see post 81 for area A and B)

 

I'm having the same issue on my 2017 with 159k miles as well as the rear main seal leaking and the dealer quoted me $6400. I like the clean and try the permatex for the one leak and figure out what to do with the main seal later.

This is my 4th Tacoma and like others a little disappointed because my earlier ones required timining belt/water pump replacement but that was the only major engine work and both ran over 300k miles.

Disappointing

 

I dropped the power steering pump, cleaned it up and applied permatex all over. Seems good so far.

I also talked to a guy at a reputable Toyota/ Lexus shop and he said this has been happening a lot on our 3rd gens. He said it’s generally no cause for concern and not worth the money to fix bc the leak is generally so slow that between oil changes most trucks don’t even show any change in oil level. And even if you fix it, it sometimes comes back.

Also make sure you replace your pcv valve. That can get gummed up which can end up contributing to the reason of the leak in the first place. Wish I knew about replacing that before the leak- mine was definitely in need of replacement at 110k miles

 

Thanks.. I like that idea.. I have been keeping an eye on my oil level and seems fine. I had some oil on my driveway but seems to have stopped leaking after I cleaned the bottom of the engine.

 

2017 with 87k, just got the timing cover leak news, as well as a power steering leak. Quoted $4500 ish to fix the timing cover in AZ.
The dealer recommended calling corporate since it's a relatively common issue, but corporate didn't budge at all or offer to assist.

Anyone have the issue pop up again after being worked on? $5k every 80k miles is cheaper than a new vehicle, but I really thought this thing would drive itself to 250k with minor issues like my old Camry.

 

Find enough cases and a law firm, class action is the way to go.

 

@Kadenm how is your permatex fix holding up? I bought a used 2016 with 55k in November and I have the timing cover leak, which I of course didn’t notice until I had the truck at home. The truck came with a 90 day “powertrain” warranty, but the dealer won’t cover this issue.

Interestingly enough, the shop manger with 30 years experience told me the same thing you were told. Not worth the money to fix and to try the sealant.

I plan to give this a shot when the weather improves.

When you removed the ps pump did you have to disconnect the fluid hoses, or were you able to move it without disconnecting everything? Thanks

 

After scouring the forum for this issue myself, there are several examples of them leaking again after the repair.

One member had his engine completely fail after the repair and there is suspicion too much sealant clogged his oil pump.

My 2016 is seeping at the moment, but not enough for me to want to risk pulling the engine apart.

 

It's 2024 and timing cover leaks are abundant on 3.5 Tacomas. You would think they had this figured out by now.

*Incoming 3rd gen fan bois pissed off*

 

Ugh, I blew a engine because of too much sealant on my first car (a ‘68 BMW) caused the oil pump to get clogged, so yeah- if it’s only a seep and you are OK with cleaning it up often enough to keep the hot parts safe, I’d say don’t fix it also.

 

it’s working great, I haven’t noticed any leaking since I did it. I was able to move the pump out of the way without undoing the hoses. It was a pretty tight space and annoying but I made it work - I had just enough space to get my hand in there. After cleaning it all up I put a gob of the permatex on my finger and applied it all over

 

Thanks for the response. I am encouraged to hear that it worked. The lack of room under the hood of these trucks is indeed annoying.

 

It’s prevalent across a lot of brands. As an infiniti tech in Scottsdale, we were put on warranty restriction for doing so many of them, like it’s somehow our fault so many leaked.

 

Has anyone dealt with mastertech warranty? Regarding a timing cover leak?

 

Does anyone know if when Toyota does a Timing Belt cover seal on 2017 and pull the motor, would they remove the Crank Shaft Retainer plate? The dealership sealed my timing belt cover for the 2nd time in DEC 2022 under warranty. I notice an oil leak last month around the rear main seal. My warranty was up, so I took it to a transmission shop for repair. When they dropped the transmission, they noticed the oil was leaking from the Crankshaft Retainer plate, removed it and found one of the threaded inlets was ruptured. You can also see in the picture, the hole was filled with black silicone as a band aid to secure the bolt rather than replace the plate. Prior to this transmission shop the Toyota Dealership has been the only shop that has done work on the truck. Trying to get Toyota to cover the $1600 repair bill that was caused by them cutting corners.

 

What’s the deal with these timing covers on these trucks? I joined this forum thinking that the timing cover was only a 16 problem but I am seeing it happen in the 22 model as well. Toyota just refuses to put it under a recall?

 

Thanks for this.

Just cleaned and snugged the bolts on the tensioner cover. Two were quite loose. My seepage seems to start there. I’ll continue to monitor.

 

I just had my 2016 Tacoma in for an oil change and they found that I have a timing cover leak. It will take another 5-6 days, Toyota approved the fix, and it's all being taken care of under the extended warranty. I bought that warranty because I was concerned about electrical issues, I never thought I'd be dealing with the engine. My last 1991 Taco had 475,000 and never had leak issues. Glad I paid for an extended warranty!!!

 

My ‘22 is leaking at 15k miles. Taking it into the local dealer in a few days to have it diagnosed, but pretty sure this is what it is. Super nervous about an engine out service on what is essentially an almost new truck.