Yet another oil leak thread

I looked before I posted this to see of I could find anyone with a similar issue and couldn't so hopefully this isn't the millionth time this issue is posted this week. I drove a 07 v6 4.0L and I brought it in this week for the leafspring recall. After it was done they said they saw an oil leak and thought it was the timing chain cover (not inspection plate) and was going to cost 2.5 k. On principal I don't let dealerships do work so I called my mechanic and have an appnt Monday but before then I gave it a look. I started with a dye test that I put in my engine on my way home from the dealers. After looking I saw some dye on the engine where the oil was but was having trouble determine a start point for it. Ill attach some pics of the oil and a rough sketch of where the highest point I found dyed oil was at. I have no idea how the pics will show up but two are looking into the engine bay, one is from under my car on the passenger side, and one is my sketch. Thanks so much to whoever takes their time out of their day to help

 

My 2006 does the same thing, it’s been leaking (seeping) since 35k miles it now has 111k and it hasn’t got worse, still no drips on the driveway. Oil level on the dip stick stays the same between oil changes so I haven’t worried about it. If anything you can call it rust prevention!

 

Well that brings me some comfort i suppose. Ill still probably bring it in just in case but thanks for the reply my man!

 

I’d make sure it wasn’t coming out of the valve cover before having the timing cover replaced.
Because that’s a big job.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...over-leak-gasket-replacement-and-more.479612/

05-07 Trucks had a TSB on Timing Cover.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tsb-oil-leak-timing-cover-being-fixed.96895/#post-1857934
Hopefully your leak really isn’t form there.....

 

For a 14 year old truck I’d say this isn’t a big concern. If you notice your oil level dropping significantly then yes, but until then, drive it like you stole it

 

Try cleaning the area with the strongest degreasing agent you can use and apply some E6000 sealant (Home Depot) or silicon over the area. You may be able to stop it or slow it down drastically before going through the trouble and expense.

 

I’ve had three gen2 V6 trucks all do this and in every case we simply monitor the leak. It doesn’t seem to drip or require oil between changes. On the advice of independent Toyota/ Lexus technicians we take a wait and see approach. They have seen them leak bad while others just weep a little oil over time. Just one of the quirks and peculiarities of the 2 gen trucks. You gotta love it. One of my trucks a 2006 sport DCLB had 193k miles on it, probably leaking for years. Why tear into something when you can just keep an eye on it? My first experience with this leak was on a 2006 Prerunner SR5 I bought second hand. The leak was repaired under warranty at 30k miles. There is a service bulletin for this concern.

 

My 2010 with 204K KMs leaks roughly in that area too. No drips, just 'wet', and level doesn't seem to drop on the dip stick. When I 1st discovered it I was worried. Decided just to leave it and keep an eye on it. No problems yet.

 

My 06 does the same thing, never drips on pavement, and never drops oil level, I wouldn't spend a dime on it, yours looks very clean, I have 124,000 miles.

 

Would you believe the Gen 3 trucks are doing it too? On those you gotta pull the motor to fix. Some have done this under warranty. You gotta love these trucks

 

My OCD takes over when it comes to oil leaks. I hate working on dirty oily engines. And since I do all my own mechanic work oil leaks really get under my skin. I have the infamous timing cover leak on my 2007 with 145,000 miles on it. My plan is to try the above fix with some RTV sealant and see if it works before getting into the whole big timing cover gasket replacement job. Mine is not leaking on the driveway yet or losing oil in between changes but all that oil on the side of the motor drives me nuts every time I pop the hood. I have more projects than I have time right now but intend to get to it when it warms up in the next couple or three months....or maybe this summer.

Anybody else done this and what were your results?

 

I have confirmed the leak is the timing cover and is bit** to get to, will let you know how mine goes. But Ive seen two other people who have done this and as im unsure as how to link posts ill just attach my screenshot of them.

 

Interested to hear how it goes.

 

Finished the seal, took a bit and was messy but am gonna give it the night so it can fully cure before I test it. Will take pics and may make a whole new thread for a step by step on what I did and used as I didn't see one here (or at least couldn't find it)

 

My ‘06 has a passenger side valve cover and probably timing cover leak as well. Doesn’t drip, no stains in driveway, oil loss between changes isn’t enough to concern me. I started using high mileage synthetic and even if there really isn’t a difference between the different oils, it seems to have slowed it down a bit, at least from the amount of leakage on the side of the engine.

Might just be placebo effect but didn’t seem to hurt it.

 

I’ve replaced the passenger side valve cover gasket and in regards to the leak near the timing cover, it’s the power steering pump that fits too snug into it’s mounting tabs on the timing cover. Pull the pump, file down a little at a time on the stub of the pump where it slides into the timing cover, until it slides in with ease. After making sure the the edge of the timing cover above and below where the ps pump mounts is super clean, lather it up with permatex 1 min or 45 min. Gasket maker. Mount the ps pump back, make sure all sealant is dry per instructions and it should not leak there anymore. Even if removing the timing cover the ps pump should still be massaged as mentioned above before reinstalling. The pump fitting too snug pulls the timing cover just a little from the engine block, causing the leak.

 

Not to say you’re wrong. (You aren’t)

But for anyone in the furniture that reads this.
It’s been reported by more than a couple people, you can drop the front differential and leave the engine in truck.

I only say this for those that may have to do this themself.
I suppose it comes down to which one you rather pull?

THIS IS FOR THE 3RD GEN TRUCKS.

 

I have to do this on my 2009 in the near future did this work for you?

What valve cover gaskets do you recommend and did you skim coat the covers with Permatex before installing the gasket?

 

@glk21c any pics where to shave power steering pump

 

It would be awesome to have a vid of someone actually doing this for us visual learners. Anyone???