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

Your positive battery terminal looks seriously corroded. This might be a good time to replace it.

Dan

 

Got mine back too. Had both sides done. Not sure if these are good pics for you guys but there’s like tons of black sealant.

 

I'm joining the club. My 2018 5.7 only has 2000 miles on the engine. Have not even had the first oil change yet. Did the PCS recall today and told the service advisor to check the passenger cam tower because I saw some black oil residue. Well, they came back and told me that the drivers side is leaking and the passenger side is seeping.I asked about fixing both sides since they're going to have to open up the engine anyway. The service manager is going to ask the regional toyota rep if they'll cover the passenger side as well since it's quite apparent that it'll start leaking at some point. I have an appointment to get it worked on next week and they want to keep the truck for 4-5 days.

 

Well that sucks but hopefully they get it fixed right!

 

I"ll be looking at mine again...
Good luck! Sounds like you got someone looking after you.

 

I dropped the truck off at the dealership yesterday and was supposed to get an update on whether Toyota was going to approve fixing both sides (drivers is leaking and passenger is seeping). Well, got an update from the SA this morning. She said that Toyota approved the fix to both sides and was also sending a rep down to document what they find in order to get this issue resolved in the assembly process so held off disassembling it until today. Isn't it odd that Toyota is now interested in fixing this on the assembly line when the 5.7 has been out for years and there's been many documented cases of cam tower leaks?

Keeping my fingers crossed that the fix works and don't have any other post-fix issues with the engine.

 

I think this particular thread is getting some exposure and the amount of 5.7Ls showing up for repairs is increasing quite a lot

 

I'm sure there are many more out there that just are not being checked for the leak. Unless you're an enthusiast or have a dealer that goes above and beyond to look for this chances are it won't be discovered. I would think most Tundra owners are just regular truck owners and not forum members, etc. I'm also certain a lot are not using the dealership for regular maintenance or repairs....smaller repair shops or oil/lube places wouldn't be inspecting for this leak and without it dripping on the ground likely won't be found or noticed by everyone.

 

A lot of folks seem to be more aware now. Going out and checking their truck or asking the dealer to take a look. Probably getting too expensive now for Toyota now that the CT leak is becoming more prevalent.

 

I wonder why they'd appear to be interested now. I honestly don't expect them to keep producing it after this upcoming update.

 

Agreed.

I to think the 5.7l will be gone with the next gen of Tundra.

 

Most likely, but if Toyota is the company they put themselves out there to be and are continually improving processes this should have been fixed a lllooooonnnggg time ago no matter the cost. Why let an issue like this from production plaque customers, just shows you while Toyota seems to be better then the other manufacturers in this area they are still just about the dollar like everyone else.

 

I just had mine in the shop to specifically look for water, oil and freon leaks. They put dye in all the systems and went back a week later to check for the leaks. They found no cam tower leak, water leaks or freon leaks. However, they found my oil cooler leaking which required replacement of the cooler and the seals. Thankfully was covered under my extended warranty since was a $1100 fix.

 

That turned out nicely. Got a new oil cooler and seals. You should be good to go for quite awhile

 

Is there some trucks that are just lucky and don't have the cam tower leak?

 

Yes, not all will get it. Maybe just one side, maybe both, or not all. Luck of the draw.

 

Yes.. my 12 year old 07. Apparently 1st year new generation has it's perks.

 

Yeah hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones. I don't want my engine taken apart on a brand new truck. Maybe we should start a poll to see how many people have this issue compared to how many people are trouble free

 

I thought the 1st gens dont have the 5.7?

 

I just had the driver's side repaired within the past month. Noticed it seeping around 36K and dealership took care of it at 40K. No issues since. I know it's a big tear down, but if you have a good mechanic doing the job you should be all set after that.

 

There's at least one poll if not 2. The poll is pointless. From 07 to present I'm guessing that over 1.1 million Tundras were built. To have a scientific poll with any validity you'd have to have a very large sample of that 1+million Tundras to make any sense at all.

 

Yeah, that's true.

 

07 is 2nd gen. Technically there is no official 3rd gen. We use 3rd gen here to denote 14+ tunnys

 

....and how many of that 1+ million had 5.7L's?

 

Picked up my truck on friday afternoon. SA told me that the reason why Toyota sent a rep was because they had never seen one occur on a 2000mile engine before. She alluded that it is a common issue but usually at higher miles when most vehicles are out of warranty. The rep took pictures so that they can figure out why the issue is occurring on a brand new engine.

 

Any ‘19s having this issue?

 

Since they had the timing chain cover out too, hopefully they put that black sealant on it too.

 

Just checked mine. 7200 miles and no leak yet I think. 2018 sport.

But I'll keep an eye out.

 

does anyone here have this issue with a 2014 + 4.6

 

New here. Just bought my first Tundra (2016 Platinum), after owning two Tacomas and two 4runners.

Sure enough, I noticed a leak on my driver side 10 days after purchasing it from my local Lexus dealership in Pleasanton, Ca. I’ve owned the truck for a total of 17 days now and put 300 miles on the truck. I believe the leak was cleaned up prior to sale. Had my mechanic (who specializes in Toyota’s specifically) look at the truck for an hour before purchasing it. He didn’t see anything wrong with the truck. Brought it back to him after smelling a burning smell and noticing the leak. He confirmed the cam tower leak and said he specifically looked for that.

Bringing the truck back to the Lexus dealership on Monday to have them take a look. Will see what they decide. Also opened a case with Toyota immediately after finding this thread. I’m hoping since it was a very recent purchase, they’ll do the right thing...especially it being a Lexus dealership. If not, I’ll raise hell and run the issue up every chain at the Lexus dealership and Toyota Corporate.

Also, spoke with my service advisor at my local Toyota dealership. He confirmed this to be a common and well known issue.

Hard to get a picture, but from under the truck the leak is very visible.