seep vs leak?

When I first brought my Tacoma in for the timing cover oil leak, I was quickly corrected by the service manager..."It's a seep, not a leak" he says.

Well, today as I brought my truck in to fix the seep, I overheard a conversation of another poor soul who had a "seep from the valve cover" the service advisor politely told him not to worry, it's just some seeping, no need to get it fixed. Ha! what a crock.

So what is it? Is a seep still a leak and leak still a seep? or is a seep a leek but a leek not a seep? or is a seep not a leak but the leak is a seep?

and shouldn't Toyota just fix the shit that's f'd up and stop jerking people around?

 

A seep is a leak. However, leaks are usually defined by larger volumes hitting the ground. Seeps just are minuscule volumes that have seeped by the seal for some reason, be it temperature difference, metallurgy, surface irregularity or seal material.
You can get mad, sure. Hope you get it fixed. To me, it's no big deal unless the seep turns into a leak but that's just me.

 

Your warranty is a performance contract between you and Toyota. I would request the dealer to take pictures and submit them to Toyota to review for approval or denial in writing. You have no contract with the dealer so for the service advisor to run his mouth is just plain bullshit he’s not a party to the contract. He can’t unilaterally deny the claim.

 

in warranty = seep
out of warranty = leak