New owner is a 2018, and suspecting a cam tower leak. Need some advice.

Good afternoon everyone. I recently purchased a 2018 Toyota Sequoia SR5 with 31k miles. Let me start off by acknowledging that this is a Tundra forum, but I could not find an active Sequoia forum to get advice from. I purchased the Sequoia about a month ago and it was a previously leased vehicle with all the maintenance performed at a Toyota dealership. About a week ago, I ran into a thread about the cam tower leak that has been affecting multiple 5.7 engines. Out of instinct, I checked under Sequoia's driver and passenger side, and took pictures similar to the ones posted online. I don't see any leaks, but there are some faint black residue or discoloration. I am sure my Sequoia is still under the 6 year 60k mile powertrain warranty. I also purchased an extended third party 7 year warranty for good measure. I plan on contacting my dealership to tomorrow to get more information. For now I want to post pictures and hear some advice from actual owners. Thank you.

 

These are the pictures.

 

Welcome. I think you're leaking from the above side.

 

Your second picture looks like there's a leak. My 2014 had a leak at around Twentyish K miles or so. Only leaked on the passenger side. It was fixed by the dealer. I traded in the Tundra a month ago with 77k miles without any further leaks.

 

I just bought a new '21, where do you look to keep an eye on things?

 

Look at the engine through each side of the front wheelwells. Mine had a visible oily look. I posted about it a long time ago. I'll see if I can find the post or pictures.

 

Here's a picture through the passenger's side wheel well - notice the dark oily part. That's where a cam tower leak will show up.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/do-i-have-a-problem-with-my-tundra.8857/page-2#post-136465

This thread has pictures including mine.

 

It looks to me that maybe the Cam Tower repair has already been done?

 

Welcome from NY.

 

You guys have some blurry ass pictures! Lol
Got both sides fixed @ 18k miles.

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

 

Welcome, Sequoias are enclosed Tundras and all are welcome!

That looks dry like it has been fixed. I'd clean it and see if it comes back.

 

Awesome thread and pictures. I just checked my 2018 with 30k miles because of it. Happy to report it’s bone dry. Good luck to OP.

 

The new sealant is black and usually a bit more messy because a tech is laying down the bead.

 

I thought I was seeing new black sealant but maybe just seeing a shadow.

 

18,297 drops of oil in 1 quart. Looks like over 3 year you weeped 4 drops. Keep looking for problems and we will find them for you....

 

Thanks to everyone who responded. I also appreciate the very warm welcome even though I am not exactly a Tundra owner. I looked through the copy of my Sequoia's CarFax, but there are no details about sealing the cam towers. It is mostly oil changes, but it is good to know they were all done at a Toyota Dealership. I believe I still have a year to go with my Power Train warranty, and I hope that is enough time to keep an eye for any further leakage. I did feel around the blacked tainted areas, and I am happy to report that they are dry. I can take clearer pictures tomorrow when the sun is out. I did read that it is not a serious issue, and that our 5.7 V8 is a bullet proof engine that can last at least 300k miles. I am just a Nervous Nelly because this is my first car and I want to keep it forever. I often see late 90s to early 2000s Land Cruisers, Sequoias, and Tundras then think to myself I want to be that in the next decade lol. Thanks again.

 

These are new pictures I took. I tried to feel around inside, and it is bone dry. There is however a black powdery residue. I also felt like a rubbery material in the darker area. I am no expert here, but I think it was already sealed. My gut instinct tells me something was done here.

 

You can go to www.toyota.com/owners and enter your vehicle information and get all of the service history.

 

Thank you for that information. I signed up and I was able to look up the Sequoia's service history. The description of the maintenance intervals were very vague. I did see a few recalls were performed such as the floor mats and the fuel pump, but I did not see anything about the cam towers. There were texts that said "remedies", but it was not specific. On the bright side, there are no oil leaks in my garage floor. Hope to hear more input. Cheers.

 

I think it's leaking. My Tundra has been leaking since 5500 miles. You should take it to the dealership.

 

What's going on everyone. Just wanted to share a quick update. I called the dealership where my Sequoia was previously maintained, and asked the service advisor to look up the Sequoia's history and see if the cam tower was ever worked on. The service advisor told me that they never touched the cam towers, and only performed routine maintenance along with a few recalls. He also told me that he has never seen a cam tower leak let alone re sealed one. I am a bit shocked because this is one of the bigger Toyota dealerships in the West Coast. He did tell me though that the Sequoia has one open recall that had to be done, and I have one more year of warranty. My next move is to schedule my Sequoia for the recall and to have my cam towers inspected at the Toyota dealership in my area. I really hope they will give me an honest assessment of the vehicle.

 

OMG. You need to go to a different dealer.

Welcome anytime!