Oil leak?

Where is this oil leak coming from? And should I be worried about it?

The first picture is looking through the front inspection panel on the passenger side. The second picture is looking up from underneath.

Also, what the brass head thing? Block coolant drain?

Truck is a 2018 5.7 with 60k miles.

Cheers

 

Yes, that's the block drain for coolant.

I'd probably try to clean that up and monitor it to try to pinpoint the origin a little more accurately, it doesn't really look worrisome. From that angle, I can't quite tell if that's the cam tower or not...

 

I’m thinking it’s too low for cam tower, maybe timing cover, but I’m not sure. Appreciate the reply.

 

How often do you look at it? In other words, how many miles ago was it clean and dry?

 

I’ve only had the truck since December and I only noticed this the other day so I can’t really say. I haven’t clean it.

 

Well if you can't say how long it has been there, I can't say how concerned you should be. Looks like a pretty minor leak though. Probably best just clean good with brakleen and watch it to start with. You could try to change oil to 5w30 and see if it slows or stops as well.

 

So an update on this. I took it into my local Toyota Dealership to inspect and advise on a repair. They are saying head gasket. Cost is quoted at $4,479.07 to replace.

I tell you, I'm pretty gutted. I got out of an F150 to avoid problems like this. I know it's not a common issue, but geez that's an expensive head gasket job. 20 hours labor I think he said.

The truck now has 60,400 miles on it so they are saying Toyota might deny the warranty claim as it's past 60K.

 

That sucks, cuz it looks like it started well over 1k ago. I would explain that fact in a friendly way.

 

I did say to the guy I requested an inspection at the last (and my first with the truck) oil change with them to see if there were any issues, as I knew the warranty period was coming up. He said if I didn’t raise it as an issue the Tech may not be looking for it. I kinda of get that, but I did think she was all good at the time.

 

Unfortunately you are in a tight spot, good luck getting out!

 

400 miles over 60K - and BigT won't help you.

I may hafta change my truck priorities. The more I read these threads the more I wonder.

I hope they sort it out in favor of you.

BTW - I'm not sure I'd call that a "leak" - seepage, but still not right...Not for 60K mileage on a mill.

 

All hope is not lost. When dealing with Toyota on my cam tower leak, I was denied on my first try. I tried again later that same week and has success.

 

You have any oil drops visible where you park the truck? If not don't sweat it. Mine looks same and has only 33000 miles and I had it since Dec too. There are videos of a Toyota master mechanic on YouTube and he says its common wetting or seepage. He said not to worry about it till you see a real leak and drops where you park. Its hit and miss. My old 2012 with 250000 miles was bone dry on both sides.
If you can get it redone through warranty then ya, id get it done, if not, its a case for future when it gets worse.

 

I would get a second opinion and sure as heck not pay them to change the head gasket. That's seepage, not what I call a leak. Clean it, use mobil 1 high mileage with seal conditioners and keep on trucking.

 

I am a bit lost here. A head gasket? Like the one between the engine block and the head? Doesn't sound right to me. Never heard or seen a head gasket failure that didn't cause loss of compression and oil/coolant mixing. And I would call Toyota and try to work it out with them, 400 miles isn't much.

 

I had a similar type of leak (seepage, etc.) that was reported to me during an oil change service at a dealer on my 2008 Tundra at about 90k miles. Back then the repair est was just under $2k, so I asked the Service Advisor to give me an idea how bad it actually was... He said that he wasn't sure, but since the tech noticed it he'd assume it's getting pretty bad. So, I asked him to put it back on the rack and let's go have a look at it. The tech put the vehicle back up in the, both looked at it and thought it to be a very minor leak (seepage). The advisor agreed it seemed very minor. So, we shrugged it off and agreed to watch it for a while. The "leak" was logged on my next few oil changes, but the same advisor would always say that it doesn't seem to be getting any worse. About a year later, mention of the leak stopped showing up on my inspection sheets during maintenance work at the dealer. I asked the advisor if it stopped leaking after the 2nd time it came back w/a clean 'bill of health', and he said... Nah, it still looks like a small amount of oil, but I think they figured you are not too worried about it, so they stopped listing it... My 2008 now has over 250,000 miles on it, and I've never addressed that original leak report. Additionally, at about 190,000, we moved so another dealer started handling my maintenance. They've never mentioned any oil leaks. However, on my second oil change there, I was told the boots on my rack-n-pinion were torn and the rack was showing signs of seepage... My response was 'copy that, I'll keep an eye on it'... Again, 60,000 miles later, and I'm running the same rack!

I think vehicles showing imperfections throughout their service life. Sometimes it's minimal and can be monitored; sometimes it's major, or can have serious consequence. I also think dealerships will see these 'imperfections' a depending on the flavor of the day or the individual tech/mechanic's personal 'niche', they look for certain things. When they find them, they point them out in an attempt to up-sell additional service; sometimes it's necessary; sometimes it isn't.

Like most aspects of life, it is up to you (us) to do our own due diligence and make sure we invest our resources (money) where it is best/most needed when it comes to maintaining a vehicle. Normally, that would be lifts, wheels, tires, etc... Fun $hit!!

Seriously though, I'd still try to work the angle of having them cover it under warranty. You'll probably get further w/that working w/Toyota and not the individual dealership. If you can't get it covered, then take the recommendation w/a grain of salt, monitor it, and see what happens while enjoying your truck... Waaaaaay more problems floating around out there w/other brands. Good Luck!!!!

 

I appreciate everyone's responses, I think I'm in a better headspace today than I was yesterday after the sticker shock of the repair price..

My though is that I'm not going to pay $4.5K to fix a small oil seepage. If Toyota wants to cough up for the repair, sure, go ahead.

If they say no, I'm going to do as y'all suggested, clean it up, monitor and if it becomes a problem, save some pennies for the repair.

I'll update this with the response from Toyota.

Cheers. I hope you all have a good one.

 

Well, I got some good news. Toyota has accepted the warranty claim so I just need to schedule the repair with the dealership.

Bittersweet in some ways, but happy with the outcome.

 

Well hot damn. That's awesome. Congratulations! (Sort of. LOL)

At least they're ponying up for this, and accepting responsibility.

 

I would have thought this would be part of the 5 yr powertrain warranty, guess not.

 

That's great, I wonder if part of getting it accepted under warranty was the Head Gasket diagnosis?

I noticed that same dirty spot on my 2018 sport as well at 30k. I mentioned it during a service and was told it was a timing cover weep/seep. Being it was a weep and not a leak, it wouldn't be covered under warranty until it starts dripping. They said it wasn't a concern and I didn't push it due to being familiar with the Tacoma diff weep issue.

30k miles later and the spot looks the same, it hasn't grown or gotten worse.

 

You know, I'm not convinced mine's from the head gasket, I think it's the timing cover. But, that will get resealed when they are in there anyway, so I guess I won't be the wiser.

Good news on yours that it hasn't gotten any worse. Oil leaks are the worst.

 

60K was the other limit, mine just went over that 60k.

 

So she had open heart surgery this week, 1st picture is during the tear down. Picked her back up this morning. Everything looks great and the repair is spot on (to my untrained eye anyway).

All is good with the world.

 

Hello. I just want to check if the area has stayed dry until now after the job?

 

Good question. I went and took another photo, looks bone dry. 20,000 miles and two years later.

 

I think my 21 is having the exact problem. Already made an appointment for Jan 15th to have it look at. Not sure what to think about it now. I found the exact area. Clean it with brake cleaner, start the engine and it started to seep. Wipe clean and within a second it seep again. Not much but can clearly tell it is seeping.
First picture show old oil from who know how long it has been seeping. Only had thr truck 4 months. May have been there with previous owner and they never knew about.
2nd picture is the oil seeping out clearly.

 

Looks the same as mine, probably the timing cover.

 

Just got back from the dealership, and you are correct, indeed it is the timing cover. They said Toyota will cover it. Scheduled to have it done on the jan. 29th..

 

How much do they charge for a timing cover leak?