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CAM SHAFT TOWER SEAL LEAKING ** PLEASE READ***

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by jacob.jons.jj, Jan 5, 2018.

  1. Feb 24, 2019 at 5:00 PM
    #1591
    BuckWallace

    BuckWallace Ball don't lie.

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    I had the same thought process when I bought my 2018, but sure enough I got the leak (or noticed it) at 8,500 miles. I can almost guarantee Toyota didn't fix it for MY2019.
     
  2. Feb 24, 2019 at 5:21 PM
    #1592
    Bergmen

    Bergmen New Member

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    It is peculiar how random this failure seems to be. As I have mentioned before, 2018 here with a bit over 26,000 miles (purchased in January, 2018). I have checked and re-checked very carefully and both sides are spotless, zero seepage or leaks. I cannot see what sealant is used, either it is the same color as the cam tower die castings or if it is black it is behind the mating surfaces, not visible.

    I'll keep checking but I would be surprised if started to fail after this many miles. We will see.

    Dan
     
  3. Feb 24, 2019 at 6:09 PM
    #1593
    Cjames17

    Cjames17 You gotta wanna

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    I agree with you that they have more than likely not resolved this issue in the new model year, but I'm hoping it isn't as bad as it seems like it was in the 18's.

    Reading your story in particular was so frustrating as an outside observer.
     
  4. Feb 24, 2019 at 6:25 PM
    #1594
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

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    yep couple 19's have it with very low miles too. check few pages back.
     
  5. Feb 25, 2019 at 7:58 AM
    #1595
    Bergmen

    Bergmen New Member

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    I just thought of something...

    I wonder if a cold re-torque of the cam tower bolts would stop the seepage/leak? This would involve removal of the valve covers at least. Just a thought.

    Dan
     
  6. Feb 25, 2019 at 4:42 PM
    #1596
    Kellogg

    Kellogg New Member

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    I stumbled on this thread yesterday (Sunday) and out of curiosity checked my 14 crewmax. Sure enough noticed oil on passenger side as well as stains on heat shield. I took it to local dealer in Arkansas today (Monday) and they confirmed a leak. My powertrain warranty expires in Apr at 5 years with only 31k on the odo. Thanks to this site I found it just in time and they’re going to do the repairs. Just want to thank everyone for their efforts on here!
     
  7. Feb 25, 2019 at 6:23 PM
    #1597
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

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    you are welcome. this thread is here for that sole purpose :)
     
  8. Feb 25, 2019 at 8:15 PM
    #1598
    eRockAZ

    eRockAZ New Member

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    LoL, unfortunately not... that would have been fun :burnrubber:
     
    Mnorris1206[QUOTED] and TheBeast like this.
  9. Feb 28, 2019 at 7:29 AM
    #1599
    Cambo

    Cambo New Member

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    Another one!
    I purchased my 2014 Crew Max (pre owned) from a dealer 6000miles ago with 59000 on the odo. Purchased it from the dealer instead of one of many independent yards thinking I would be better off. I just took it in to my mechanic for service and sure enough it has the leak. To make matters worse he said "whoever went over the vehicle last knows about it", because he could see where they had tried to clean it up.

    It came with a 60 day warranty, but let's face it who looking at something like that within 60 days of purchasing from a dealer... not me! So that is out, I will be contacting the GM at the dealership today. My guess is that if they knew about it they're not going to fix it, will most likely be told it's outside of the warranty and to go pound sand. I hope not, but if they knew about it I would say that was the plan for this particular vehicle.

    If they don't I will have to take the Customer Care route. Wish me luck!!
     
  10. Feb 28, 2019 at 8:11 AM
    #1600
    Woodguy65

    Woodguy65 New Member

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    Why would the dealer not let you pay the diff to do the other side?
     
  11. Feb 28, 2019 at 10:56 AM
    #1601
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    They told me since the truck was under warranty if they took that side apart and then an issue arose they would be liable for it. Plus at the time I thought they were going to remove the timing cover and repair it that way, which then makes sense to complete the other side. They didn't do mine that way, only the cam tower was removed on the passenger side, front cover didn't come off for my repair.
     
  12. Feb 28, 2019 at 5:06 PM
    #1602
    superslif

    superslif New Member

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    Firestone bags, Toyota tow mirrors, TRD sway bar
    Question...If after 5 years / 50k miles and "it's" not leaking, can it start to leak? Or is it something that leaks from the start, and we are just noticing this issue now? I have the 100k factory (bumper 2 bumper) warranty, I'm not too concerned as I checked it two months ago while reading this thread...If this was a "Ford" truck...They would tell ya to pound salt...
     
  13. Feb 28, 2019 at 5:25 PM
    #1603
    West Texas Tundra

    West Texas Tundra 2016 Bronze Beast

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    20 inch CECO wheels Drop in K&N air filter 2 inch front leveling kit
    So what should I be looking for? Oils stains along side the cam tower?
     
  14. Feb 28, 2019 at 5:56 PM
    #1604
    Blueline

    Blueline New Member

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    Jeb
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    Oil seepage typically at rear of cam tower. Take a look back through this thread, some guys hi-lighted the drip area with photo editing app.
     
  15. Mar 1, 2019 at 6:55 AM
    #1605
    Finch

    Finch New Member

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    I'm curious of how many people here know they have the leak and have decided against having it fixed. Ones that don't see it as a big deal. Are there many?
     
  16. Mar 2, 2019 at 8:22 AM
    #1606
    Atomic City Tundra

    Atomic City Tundra Cam Tower Leak Addict

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    Devin
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    My passenger side started leaking after a little over one year and 14,000 miles. My driver's side started after 5 years and around 72,000 miles.
     
    BuckWallace likes this.
  17. Mar 2, 2019 at 5:15 PM
    #1607
    superslif

    superslif New Member

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    Firestone bags, Toyota tow mirrors, TRD sway bar
    OK, so that tells me I'm going to have to watch this "issue" going forward...I wonder why Toyota, has not addressed the issue on the engine assembly line. "Fire" the robot who dispensers the sealant at the engine plant.
     
  18. Mar 2, 2019 at 5:17 PM
    #1608
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    I think the robot thing is just an excuse, otherwise it would have been fixed. I don't think anyone wants to keep turning out a product with a flaw. I say this is a design issue and that's the reason it's plagued the platform for so long.
     
    rodm1, equin, TheBeast and 1 other person like this.
  19. Mar 4, 2019 at 7:57 PM
    #1609
    r1-superstar

    r1-superstar Kailua Boy

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    I thought about not fixing it. But the other side of my brain wouldn't be happy knowing I had the opportunity to fix it under warranty; and that would stop the leak and not have worries down the road.
     
  20. Mar 4, 2019 at 8:12 PM
    #1610
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    Yeah if its under warranty I would get it fixed, out of warranty if it wasn't bad I would leave it alone as the cost for this repair is just way to much.
     
    equin and Finch like this.
  21. Mar 4, 2019 at 10:20 PM
    #1611
    Blueline

    Blueline New Member

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    Just redesign the cylinder head with integral cam journals and eliminate the intermediate cam tower. Cylinder head directly to block and valve cover. Simple. NO LEAKS!
     
    Black Wolf and equin like this.
  22. Mar 5, 2019 at 3:45 AM
    #1612
    Finch

    Finch New Member

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    Yeah I feel the same way. I still have until 100k miles but will be taking mine in soon to have it documented and to start the process.
     
    r1-superstar[QUOTED] likes this.
  23. Mar 5, 2019 at 4:19 AM
    #1613
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    This x2
     
  24. Mar 6, 2019 at 1:21 AM
    #1614
    0002s

    0002s New Member

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    A group of bean counters tells senior management that the cost of fixing this is greater than the cost of not fixing this.

    The problem continues. Engineering tells senior management “we told you so, you cheap bastards. But you insisted to save $6 bucks per vehicle in grey rather than black sealant.

    Those same bean counter then tell those same senior managers that the cost not to fix this is great than the cost to fix this. Confrence calls start happening on the hour for weeks and asses start to be covered.

    A silent change to the sealant used will be implemented. A soft recall will happen to those that are effected under factory warranty. You get a leak and they fix it.

    The class action law suit will ultimately refund, in a credit against a new vehicle or some such BS, those who paid out of pocket and were not covered under warranty. The settlement will include an extended warranty for the ‘effected X’ parts and labor for the life of vehicle for all those buyers that own the effected motor.

    The problem is with ALL 5.7 V8s in multiple vehicles and brands. A forced recal is going to be very expensive. The labor is days worth and expensive. The cost to fix is 98% labor and 2% parts. Toyota will want to avoid this and decide to fix as needed vs fix all.

    My guess is we are in the early stages of denial, unless severe, then quietly warranty phase of this saga. This will be followed by warranty, if leaking, and complaining about.

    I would suggest a sticky be started that list the following:
    1. Year Truck
    2. Which side at what mileage
    3. OOP expense or Warranty covered and process to get covered
    4. Cost
    5. Dealer used

    Hopefully this gets easier.
     
    superslif, plumber802 and TWJLee like this.
  25. Mar 6, 2019 at 3:28 AM
    #1615
    300exbat

    300exbat New Member

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    Hats off to this forum. I never would have known about this if I didn't just join last week. I'm dropping mine off Sunday night. Certified Used Toyota Warranty:amen:

    cam1.jpg
     
  26. Mar 6, 2019 at 4:31 AM
    #1616
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    So true and very sad that's how these things go down. Crazy thing is if they raised the price of the truck what it would cost them for the sealant and it prevented us from having the issue and motors torn down I doubt anyone would complain.
     
    0002s[QUOTED] likes this.
  27. Mar 9, 2019 at 9:09 PM
    #1617
    georgiey22

    georgiey22 Moving to Idaho

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    What year is your truck and how many miles? Your gray sealant bead looks exactly like my 2019 with 2100 miles.
     
  28. Mar 10, 2019 at 7:18 AM
    #1618
    Ronin73

    Ronin73 New Member

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    2019 with 6,500 miles on the clock now. Still bone dry. Crossing my fingers...
     
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  29. Mar 12, 2019 at 8:56 PM
    #1619
    Palmerspal

    Palmerspal New Member

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    I have a 2012 Tundra DC, 4.6L, 135k.
    Went in for an oil change and the tech noted a Valve Cover leak and a Timing Cover leak.
    How can I be sure that that the Cam Tower is not also affected?
     
  30. Mar 13, 2019 at 4:55 AM
    #1620
    Wynnded

    Wynnded What MPG...

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    Clean it, or have it cleaned up. Then drive it some more and keep an eye on it. You could also have the dealer put a UV dye in the oil and then they will have you drive it and bring it back. They'll use a UV light to check for dye leaking out at the mating surfaces.
     
    Black Wolf likes this.

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