Timing chain cover fix $5000?

I’ve got the dreaded timing cover leak, found out when I took it to the dealership to get a creaking noise in my L LCA checked out.

They are quoting me $5,368, I haven’t found anyone who is posting about an amount that large. I’m handy but this far exceeds my capabilities so I feel like I have no choice. My truck is a ‘16 TRDORDCSB with 99,000 miles. Along with the upper and lower ball joints it is quoted to come out to over $10,000. That is almost a third of what I paid for the truck. I would get rid of the truck had I not put so much time and money into modifications. This stings.

 

2nd opinion?

 

yep, tomorrow gonna call around, unfortunately not a whole lot of garages where I live

 

That's pretty steep in my opinion

 

Just let it leak and keep driving it

 

If you really can’t beat 5K, I would let it leak. They typically leak at a very slow rate and usually don’t seem to even drip off the engine. There’s also a small chance of something getting messed up during the repair (there have been some weird motor failures and other failures after the repair is done) and there is also the chance it could just leak again if not done right.

 

I’m sorry did you say 5k for the timing chain cover leak…and another 5k for upper and lower ball joints?

Replace the upper and lower arms…I seem to remember they are not serviceable? They are not $1250 a piece. Not hard to replace.

As far as the leak find an oil proof sealant. If you have to seal it up every other month or even every month…5 large is ridiculous.

Just my opinion and not everyone’s skill set is the same. Offer up some beer and a steak for help on here.

 

Ouch I hate to see tgis. You can easily replace lower control arms if you have basic hand tools a jack and jack stand. It’s not a bad job and you can find salvaged oem parts on eBay. Thats what I did when my LBJ went out on drivers side. I bought lcas that were salvaged at 40,000 miles. I’m positive I paid right at $200 each complete for lowers. Uppers are even cheaper closer to $60 each but more of a pain in the ass to replace

 

Probably a contributing factor for the high quote... It's an engine-out job that the dealer probably assigns to master-level techs.

The 1GR guys reported good results with using Permatex The Right Stuff sealant on the outside, if you want to try that route first. Pretty much every V6 2nd gen (and 4th gen 4Runner) has a timing cover leak.

 

This
Unfortunately it’s a big job for a skilled tech.
I’d see how much it leaks. A drop here or there isn’t worth 5 large to me,,, as much as I like to fix stuff right. This day- some uninsured no license having bum may just run a light and hit you right after you pick it up from the dealer after spending two weeks there.

 

If you no longer have warranty, why take it to the stealership ?

 

I'd get 2-3 opinions on it.

Two years ago a cardiologist said he wanted me to leave his office, check into the hospital THAT VERY DAY so he could open me up right away.
I told him I wanted a second opinion, the guy looked me straight in the eye and " Well ok, you're ugly too " ...

 

if the engine is pulled and work done there are too many other things that will happen/break.....truck wont be the same

 

Avoid Stealerships when out of warranty. Ask around your family, friends and coworkers for the shops they use. Maybe they know someone who is a mechanic and will do this on the side. NEVER EVER GO BACK TO A DEALERSHIP WHEN YOUR VEHICLE IS NO LONGER COVERED BY WARRANTIES. I worked in them I know. They are waiting to see if you got STUPID tattooed on your forehead. Customer service is big for them. What it really means is let me help you open up your wallet.

 

Many say an extended Warranty isn't worth it. Your call. I still believe this leak should be covered by toyota. NTHSB Filing by all that have had this may help, maybe too late now. Possible engine fire possibility? Toyota spouts reliability yet wont stand behind the most common complaints w/o a fight.

 

@Gfenza89 you may be interested in this thread.

 

For the timing cover, you need to go to a tech who has done several of these jobs. Usually this means a dealer or Toyota specialist indie shop. Sounds like there aren't any of the latter in OP's area.

I would deal with the suspension at an indie shop though. They have more flexibility with part sourcing. For example, an indie shop can install an aftermarket lower ball joint, whereas Toyota doesn't offer the lower ball joint as a spare part, forcing you to spend money on a whole LCA.

 

+1 on this. If it gets bad enough the oil will blow back on the frame while driving it, preventing rust, which in turn saves you future headaches.

 

Just seal it from the outside. I’ve seen posts on this where guys say they’ve had success saving thousands dollars

 

I had probably $5k worth of repairs total with mine. It was all covered by the extended warranty.

And when I say total, I mean they also found my water pump and head gaskets were leaking so they replaced those. Then they messed up one of my fuel line O-rings (although they denied it was related to their repair) and replaced all of those. And then they tracked down a squeaking sound for me that turned out to be a loose exhaust hanger that I believe to have been knocked loose on accident during the repair since they would have needed to move the exhaust pipes.

But the timing cover itself was initially quoted at around $1800 or something like that. They also noted it would have likely been more without my warranty since Toyota will pay less for their own parts than a customer would have to.