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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. Jun 15, 2020 at 10:37 AM
    #2371
    Jbtaco2002

    Jbtaco2002 Almost a Tundra

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    hey all, i haven't crawled under or looked for the oil leaking or have it officially diagnosed, but wondering if the burning oil smell i get in the cab (even with vents on recirc) is a symptom of the cam tower seal leaking?

    i only ever smell it when i get into the gas pedal/boost, then it's really bad for several minutes after

    thanks
     
  2. Jun 16, 2020 at 6:02 PM
    #2372
    LJOHNS

    LJOHNS New Member

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    I just bought a 2018 Crewmax this past weekend. Pulling my rv up a grade we noticed a burning smell. Crawled under and looked it over and the drivers side cam tower is wet with oil residue. Doesn’t look like much but I am wondering if the is where the smell is coming from? My old 2007 with almost 150k had zero issues. Very disappointing! It’s a CPO so I have a lot of warranty time left - I am going to keep an eye on it and probably take it in for repair.
     
  3. Jun 16, 2020 at 6:49 PM
    #2373
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    You get 16 mpg average? I'm still deciding if I want to trade my 13 with the 4.6 in on a 20 with the 5.7.
     
  4. Jun 16, 2020 at 6:51 PM
    #2374
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    Has this been fixed on the 2020 models?
     
  5. Jun 16, 2020 at 7:03 PM
    #2375
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    Will the 2020's have this issue as well? Makes me not want to buy one.
     
  6. Jun 16, 2020 at 7:11 PM
    #2376
    empty_lord

    empty_lord They see me rollin'

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    Any 5.7 can have the problem. I have not had any 2020s leak yet
     
  7. Jun 16, 2020 at 7:27 PM
    #2377
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    So if I do get a 2020, just check it every 5,000 miles or so? My 2013 4.6 has 95,000 miles on it and I'm not sure if i want to move up to the 5.7 or not. Everyone has different answers on gas mileage between the two lol. The dealer says they are close. :notsure:
     
  8. Jun 16, 2020 at 7:31 PM
    #2378
    empty_lord

    empty_lord They see me rollin'

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    just keep an eye on it. i still see more chevies with 5.3s leaking at lower mileage than toyotas. all brands have their issues. the 5.7 is pretty solid and if a oil leak at the tower is one of the only major issues, id rather deal with that than oil burning or other issues... most end up seeping, never really leaking.
    hell my avalon has a timing cover seep.. its had it since 25k... its never gotten worse or better... but its a trouble free car.

    gas mileage between 4.6 and 5.7 should be similar.
     
    TheBeast, Cpl_Punishment and TILLY like this.
  9. Jun 16, 2020 at 8:18 PM
    #2379
    BulldogDan

    BulldogDan New Member

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    I have a little seepage on the passenger side front as you look thru the fender with a flashlight. Bottom of the engine and all the crossmembers are dry so I am assuming (1) it just started to leak or (2) it has been seeping slightly for a long time. Every once in awhile I smell hot oil in the garage after Ive driven it. I just bought the truck last year. It’s a 2011 Rock Warrior. Is there a possibility it may not get any worse? Do the 4.6L have this problem?
     
  10. Jun 16, 2020 at 8:20 PM
    #2380
    empty_lord

    empty_lord They see me rollin'

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    The 5.7 and 4.6 are ultimately the same block and both can form the leak.
    Any Toyota for that matter with cam towers can leak there. So the 3.5, 5.7, 4.6, 2.5... they all can seep at the cam tower
     
  11. Jun 16, 2020 at 8:44 PM
    #2381
    Cavalrysr5

    Cavalrysr5 New Member

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    I'm sitting at 15.0 all city driving
    I get 19 on the highway
     
  12. Jun 16, 2020 at 9:24 PM
    #2382
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    So it seems really close.
     
  13. Jun 17, 2020 at 3:55 AM
    #2383
    Moon Puppy

    Moon Puppy I'm not new!

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    I have not rolled 5k yet, just under it. Since I've had this truck i've been working from home and no road trips. That's why my average is so much lower than the '18 I had. I have a 32 mile round trip to the plant I generally hang out out, highway driving, no traffic so that helped the mpg. Now I'm WFH and grocery snatcher.
    http://www.fuelly.com/car/toyota/tundra/2020
    That'll show you what others are getting but who buys s 5.7 Tundra for the MPG?
    And no, I have not noticed the cam tower leak, will check again today.
     
  14. Jun 17, 2020 at 4:18 AM
    #2384
    LJOHNS

    LJOHNS New Member

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    Add me to the list. Just bought a 2018 Crewmax Limited cpo last weekend. First trip pulling a 4200lb. Trailer we smelled something hot/burning. Only when pulling up a steep grade. Checked underneath yesterday a the driver side cam tower area is damp with oil. I assume it is dripping down on the exhaust. Very disappointed Toyota!
     
    GlobalGuy likes this.
  15. Jun 17, 2020 at 4:42 AM
    #2385
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    How many miles on yours? This is discouraging me from trading my 13 for a 20.
     
  16. Jun 17, 2020 at 4:44 AM
    #2386
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    Thanks. I'm just wondering an average with a 3 inch lift and 34's compared to my 4.6 with the same setup.
     
  17. Jun 17, 2020 at 5:11 AM
    #2387
    LJOHNS

    LJOHNS New Member

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    20,000 miles. If I were not towing I would not have noticed it. Not sure why that is?
     
  18. Jun 17, 2020 at 6:35 AM
    #2388
    Cavalrysr5

    Cavalrysr5 New Member

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    Mine is 2wd which seems to help a lot... My father averages 14 or so.
    I am impressed with it honestly. I expected much lower. Most of my trips are about 5-11 miles. I'd I drive to my parents at 3.5 miles away I get 17 usually
     
  19. Jun 20, 2020 at 1:49 PM
    #2389
    jeman022004

    jeman022004 New Member

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    I was replacing the front brakes today on our ‘12 Sequoia and noticed both sides were leaking. It has 125k miles. Who knows how long this has been going on. Oil level hasn’t decreased since the last oil change 5 months ago. I cleaned up the area and will monitor it. I do not plan on getting it repaired. I learned I was looking in the wrong area as I was monitoring my ‘19 Tundra.
     
  20. Jun 23, 2020 at 10:32 AM
    #2390
    kb375

    kb375 New Member

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    Moon Puppy likes this.
  21. Jun 23, 2020 at 12:15 PM
    #2391
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

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    i would wait for the 2021...2020 is basically the same as the one you have right now minus few cosmetics.
     
    jordoncloutier likes this.
  22. Jun 23, 2020 at 1:31 PM
    #2392
    Wynnded

    Wynnded What MPG...

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    With the pictures provided, (pretty good BTW) I'm not seeing any evidence of oil leakage/seepage.
     
  23. Jun 23, 2020 at 2:00 PM
    #2393
    blackdemon_tt

    blackdemon_tt Battery Slayer

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    I would agree with Wynnded cams look good, no leaks... Oil is not invisible, you will definitely know if and when its leaking, although all Toyotas leak from the camshafts... My 02 Celica, 91 MR2 T, 92 SC400 and 07 Tundra leak from the cam towers, and under load and especially in an incline will give an oil burning smell.... just my .02cents...
     
  24. Jun 24, 2020 at 9:02 PM
    #2394
    AZ_Tundra1

    AZ_Tundra1 Gold member

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  25. Jun 25, 2020 at 6:49 AM
    #2395
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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  26. Jun 25, 2020 at 8:54 AM
    #2396
    cnoyes72

    cnoyes72 New Member

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    Looking at the case load of this firm, they look like bottom-feeders
     
  27. Jun 28, 2020 at 9:17 AM
    #2397
    Mcoop

    Mcoop Throbbing Member

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    I too am a victim of Toyota's heinous disregard for proper manufacturing procedures. Both sides are leaking on my '15 5.7l with 80k miles. This is the passenger side.

    20200628_120939.jpg
     
  28. Jun 28, 2020 at 12:02 PM
    #2398
    gjcarving

    gjcarving New Member

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    That sucks man! Sorry that happened. Is this the first time you checked or did it just start more recently?
     
  29. Jul 13, 2020 at 5:31 PM
    #2399
    Hambone1

    Hambone1 New Member

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    Did not know this was an issue....just bought a 2015 with 61k miles....and i know my luck....why wouldnt they have cut a real gasket by now instead of using that junk
     
    Alex38 likes this.
  30. Aug 13, 2020 at 8:33 PM
    #2400
    blanchard7684

    blanchard7684 New Member

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    Ford v8 had a huge issue with oil leaks from head gasket for many years .

    When I worked as a dealer tech I did many different kits and repair techniques. At the end of it all looked to be a surface finish issue between a mls head gasket and the cylinder head.

    I got many oil leaks to quit by adding just a tad more torque to head bolts. Didn’t always work.

    I bought a 2002 truck and it had the leak. It wasn’t bad. Ford wouldn’t warranty it until it was dripping steadily.

    I also had a 2010 mustang gt with 3v that had oil leak on opposite end of cylinder head! It was also minor. Weeps like the ones shown here.

    I’d personally only fret if the leak got worse. Some of the weeps will likely stay that way.

    the ones dripping are the ones I’d address.
     
    equin, jtwags and Moon Puppy like this.

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