Do I have the dreaded valve cover gasket/cam tower leak

Hey guys my 2021 has 12k miles noticed what pretty sure seems like at least a valve cover gasket leak on the driver side pretty bummed I’ve had countless Tacomas and 4Runners and zero issues as far as the motor went with those hopefully this will be the worst of my issues with this truck

 

Inconclusive. Try taking a shot from inside the wheel well focusing on the area just below where the valve cover mates to the head.

 

my apologies hope this helps

 

Likely but still a little hard to see, I got both of mine fixed @ 17k miles. That was the last time it was at the dealer, over 3 years ago.

My pictures below.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/cam-shaft-tower-seal-leaking-please-read.20102/page-73#post-1612020

 

No worries. I can see what I think appears to be the factory grey sealant, but it's still pretty out of focus. I know it's not an easy place to access, but try to see if you can get your camera to focus where I've drawn the blue line.

 

You need to look from the back of the tire in the wheel well.



The goop is where the dealer fixed my minor seep under extended warranty at 135k

 

i tried to take a better pic lmk if this helps

 

To the left further foward.

 

It is to the left of that harness, look at my picture.

 

Try to look at this seam of grey (stock/factory) sealant from front to back, both sides of the engine as best you can. That's where you're going to see oil seeping, if it's going to happen. Usually it'll collect road grime as time passes making it easier to notice. I don't see anything of concern in the pics posted so far. You may be able to get a tissue on the end of a stick in there and dab around, then look for oil residue on the tissue.

 

The only place I had minor seep was the front where the timing cover met the head, to the left of every pic OP has posted.

 

Here's a picture of my driver side. On the left is where the timing cover mates, and on the right is the seam of sealant where mind had been repaired.



Here's the passenger side. One the right is up by the timing cover and of the left is a little bit back.



This is the passenger side a bit further back. That's where the sealant squished out, notice how it's below the valve cover gasket... There isn't an actual gasket for the cam towers, it's just sealant between them and the heads.

 

That’s insane that Toyota never rectified this gross design flaw even if your cam tower isn’t leaking yet it’s almost a ticking time bomb

 

Think of the tens of thousands of trucks that still haven't had this rectified.

 

I don’t see anything? If y’all are worried about that you should see any ford or ram diesel at the same mileage.

 

That’s exactly the point though. This is NOT a Ford or a Ram. It’s a Toyota. I won’t put up with a single drop of fluid leaking from my vehicles.

 

I think you’re worried about a whole lot of nothing man. If you look long enough on anything you will find some sort of accumulation.

 

I think that people want to know so that they can try to get it covered under warranty as it isn't cheap, the engine has to come apart to a degree that makes many uncomfortable, and it's not really a very DIY friendly job if that's the route that needs to be taken.

 

Where is the first pic taken? Front of the motor? Doesn't appear to be leaking on the side at all.

 

first pic was taken from top it appears it’s seeping/weeping (dark wet spot) by driver side valve cover gasket

 

Good info here, thx guys.
I have the leak on my 2013 and had it on my 2010.

the dealership said it was not covered under my original warranty and that Toyota did not do a recall on it so it’s an out of pocket expense. I think that sucks but I just keep an eye on things.

 

My Sequoia had both sides leaking when I bought it used with 88K miles. Luckily I bought the Maxcare warranty and they covered the repair.

 

Yup exactly i literally probably owned over 20 Tacomas and 4Runners both brand new and used and none of them had a leak including my current 2010 Tacoma so it’s a bit concerning to see it already seeping on a brand new engine

 

Except none of your pictures show any seepage.

The first picture has some discoloration that could be nothing, could be residue from an oil change or some manufacturing process, bottom line, if you are that concerned, take it in, have your concerns documented & prior to the warranty expiring if there are issues have them addressed.

 

so upon closer inspection it appears someone might have screwed up and oil change and spilled oil smh (the car was owned by a sales manager at the Toyota stealership I purchased it from and they and carfax said the stealership did all the oil changes) and that’s the reason why I never go to the dealer even if it’s free oil changes

 

Yep, been there and done that. All it takes is a few drops.

 

If under warranty get it looked at if weeping Toyota won't fix it but will give you a Lifetime warranty on that. MY tower leaked since 10K had it checked at 30K and verified. It's still just a dry oily spot not wet at 60K most used tundras have the leak.