Timing cover leak, easy fix

I own a small automotive garage, and what they say is mostly true most mechanics don't have time to fix their own cars (at least the busy ones don't) Cummins 5.9 have an issue with timing cover gasket leaking oil near the water pump, as the bolt spacing is too far apart in that area, and the gasket breaks and a piece can fall out. removing the cover to replace a gasket is time consuming (12 plus hours) and expensive, and given enough time it will leak again. It can be fixed easily if you wash down the area with brake clean and run a bead of Permatex "right stuff" along the seam of the cover. There is only splash/spray of oil from the gears under the cover no pressure, so the external bead of RTV seals the leak indefinitely. Years ago I was given this tip and I used it on 2 different dodge trucks, one I followed up on ( Friend who owned a courior truck 200,000 kms 4 years later no leak)
Anyway back to the Tacoma issue of a leaking cover and no time to remove cover to fix. When I bought my truck it was always wet with engine oil near the PS pump area,and would leave a drop or two. I had an hour of spare time so I pressure washed the area, unbolted the PS pump, pushed it to the side, washed down the area ran a bead best I could down along the timing cover seam, bolted the pump back up.That was 3 months ago no leaks since. so might sound like a half ass fix, but really does it matter if the leak is stopped.

 

This is exactly what I was going to try on mine once I get caught up on some of my other projects. So glad you posted this. Thanks for sharing your experience

 

@EME

Like you said. It's not a super critical leak, so a repair like this if it works, should be just fine. Thanks for sharing, keep us updated if you can, and something to try when I have a free afternoon and a couple brews.

Mind sharing a picture of the sealant you use?

 

@ivo-king

 

Now that’s using the ole noggin.

 

I had the same leak in the same area and fixed it the exact same way... 6 months leak free

 

Bravo!

 

Thank you @Yukon DoIt for the heads up and thank you OP.

Also curious, when you say "right stuff" what exactly are you talking about, what sealant would you recommend?

 

That's the actual name of the sealant "Right Stuff"

 

permatex "right stuff" is one of the best if not the best RTV out there, its sticky and does not rub off when assembling parts.

 

Is it black or grey?

 

Would this be the same leak?

 

Looks like timing cover leak. You could add dye to pinpoint the leak for best placement of rtv

 

How did it hold up?

 

Any difference in Permatex red or black?

 

@EME great tip !! Bag the idea of removing engine or dropping the front diff for lots of $$$ . But is Permatex permeant ? Can it be removed and by what ?

 

The black is for oil resistance.

 

You should go post this on the 3rd Gen forum - a handful of guys over there have their panties in a wad over their timing covers leaking. This would be great info for them to have

 

So I'm getting ready to attempt this quick fix. Can anyone point me out to where I should run the sealant?

 

This worked for me! One thing to add... Check the PCV. Mine was clogged and caused more case pressure, resulting in more seepage of oil along the timing cover.