Timing cover leak

I had my cam towers resealed on both sides a few years ago and the mechanic at the independent shop I go to confirmed the other day while doing my oil change that my truck has a timing cover leak and he showed me the fresh oil spots and it seems more like a weep with no drop in oil levels. I never see it drop on the ground because the skid plate catches some of it. He recommended that I take it to the dealer and they said they would repair it at half the cost since I had it done before. Per their investigation they indeed said it was coming from the timing cover. The service writer is very vague with explaining the repair. All I know is that they have to tear into the engine again, removing the front and most of the top. I also asked if they could replace my timing chains, guides, and tensioners while they’re that far into my engine but they said it doesn’t need replacing at this time. Is a timing cover leak more of an extensive repair than a cam tower reseal?

 

It is alot of work.
My 08 is leaking with only 45K miles. I'm not planning on doing anything until it becomes a problem.

 

Wow, that’s low miles for an 08. I’m dropping mine off tomorrow and they’ll have it for 2 days. Paying half of the cost.

 

I have a leak and am not fixing it. It's not going to blow anything up. Is it annoying, yep. Is it worth thousands to repair? Not to me. I just degrease the engine every 3-4 months and live with it. Many Toyotas have timing cover leaks. My wife's 05' Corolla has had one since 2007. Drops about a dime size drop every few days, hasn't gotten worse in all these years.

 

My 15 had cam tower, timing cover and rear main seal leak. Had them fix and it still ran like new. Would have kept it if the a lady hadn’t rear end me and bend my frame.

if it was me I’d fix the leak right away if I could.

 

Hi all,
Just updating this thread. My '21 Platinum experienced the timing cover leak (14.5K miles).
Thankfully under warranty, but I had it fixed right away. It was more than a couple drops so worthy of the fix.
Service rep said it happens from time to time...not enough seal is dropped in when engine is built.

 

These kind of leaks are NOTHING compared to the cars and trucks I used to work on as a mechanic back in the 60s and 70s. Everybody had a drip pan in their garage because EVERYTHING leaked. The valve covers, oil pan, transmission pan, everything dripped and made a giant mess. Today's vehicles are light years ahead of those times and a little sweating around the joints of panels and covers is really nothing to be concerned about.

I don't have cam tower leaks on my 2018 (nor does our 2017 Sequoia) but even if we did, I would not tear the engine apart to deal with it. hosing it off with brake cleaner every month or so would be good enough for me rather than take the risk of messing something up with the huge and complex task of removal and resealing. But that is just me.

Dan

 

Try adding some

$21 AT205 ATP Automotive AT-205 Re-Seal Stops Leaks, 8 Ounce Bottle

AT205 with every oil change the product is a liquid polymer that helps to revitalize rubber seals

 

Greasy spots on engine won't rust or oxidize.