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

Taking mine in for some fluid changes, I have it on the work order to double check for any cam tower leak...I did the best myself to check, but without being on a rack, looking thru the wheel well only goes so far. The service advisor I talked to didn't have a clue what I was talking about, or are they told to "act dumb"? I have the 100k / $0 deductible extended warranty so I'm not very worried about it...

 

I would imagine they should know what to look for unless maybe it was just the lube tech handling the job and he isn't familiar with the Cam Tower Leak. Even if that were the case he should have asked someone more experienced to inspect it if he didn't know what to look for.

I've also got a 100K $0 ded warranty from Toyota, but I'd much rather have it taken care of before the 60K powertrain warranty is up. My service advisor said the extended warranty would also cover the Cam Tower Leak, but I've heard stories where some warranties will not cover gasket failures. Mine is leaking a bit (or "seeping" according to Toyota), on the drivers side, but not bad enough for them to get it approved for repair at this point in time. I'm currently at 38K miles. I'm going to keep pushing at every oil change for them to re-inspect it and get it done before 60K is up.

 

This whole its seeping not leaking is BS, its oil outside the engine where it doesn't belong. Basically they are saying "we acknowledge the issue but its a costly repair come back when its leaking worse and on your dime, have a nice day"

 

Agree 100%. I spoke to the master tech there while it was up on the lift. He agrees it's leaking, but not bad enough for approval. I guess they need to send pictures to corporate and obtain approval before starting the repair due to the high cost. He did tell me that the leak will always get worse, so just give it a little time and then I'll be able to get it approved. He said once they see oil hit the heat shield it's an easy approval. They at least documented it on my paperwork as seepage noted on cam housing, so I've got something to fall back on later if needed.

 

Wow i didn’t know about this I had an 07 with 240k miles with only normal maintenance no issues if I would have known about this I might of steered clear of Toyota does this issue affect the 2019s too???????

 

I got the same, they would not offer an extended warranty on this issue. Just lets me know they are well aware if the issue and don't want to enter in an agreement that will end up costing them money.

 

I am driving as much as I can, put 600 miles on my 2019 in 3 days. Total mileage is only 3K, so not much to report but there is no sign of a cam tower leak.

 

I have a 2019 and I drive roughly 432 to 540 a week. I just rolled over 7,700 miles and mine is bone dry. Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

Going into the dealership to get my 2018 CM checked out. I smelled burning at about 10K. I have 27K on it now but was waiting for both sides so I could get both done. The service guy told me he never heard of this issue in the 10years he has worked for the dealership. I told him it is common and I just want it fixed and fixed right. This is obviously a pain, but I would definitely buy another tundra.

Wish me luck!

 

When I got my new muffler installed I was able to see some oil on the drivers side when the shop had it on the lift. Bought it used about 10 months ago certified. Also have an extend warranty on power train for 90,000. Bought it with 54,000, so warranty good up to 144,000. Have an appointment next Wednesday. Will see what happens.

 

Jesus, reading this thread has me scared on our decision to get a 2019 Tundra in the next few days and I can already hear the wife saying, "I thought these were supposed to be more reliable?!?" after we just dealt with similar issues on her Nissan over the past year .

Seeing how complicated the fix is in this video does not make me feel comfortable that even a certified tech doing breakdown and rebuild correct https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiO9ARX9Lts

 

They are reliable, they just leak oil when they shouldn't. What's baffling to me is how long Toyota has allowed this to go on, that's not good for customer confidence.

 

yes 2019s have it ..low miles too. your 2007 had less chance of having the leak. go figure

 

yeah it sucks but even if you don't repair it, it won't leave you stranded on the side of the road.

 

This is what gets missed. Sucks to leak or seep or weep, but sucks more to be stranded. Fix it or not, you still won't get stranded.

That being said, I still check mine every couple hundred miles. I'd rather know.

 

Well...the master tech called everyone over to show them. It’s definitely leaking (which I knew). Claim goes in on Monday. Let’s see what Toyota is made of. Have a good weekend everyone

 

My dealership said they average 3 a week. There is no way they have never heard of this.

 

Yup! The head mechanic knew exactly what I was talking about (fellow tundra owner). Put it on the lift and in 30sec determined both sides are “leaking”. I think the service manager is a Prius guy

 

Valid point guys . We have had 2 Fords and a GM that stranded us multiple times in years past. That said, wife's Nissan never stranded us but has needed a crap-ton of repairs over the last 14 years .

 

For what it's worth...a member recently posted pics of him being somewhat stranded. The cam "seep" was so bad his Tunny burnt to the ground...

 

Dang... I'm gonna have to find that thread. Crazy!

 

I have a 2018 with the 4.6l in it. Is this something I need to worry about or does it just affect the 5.7l engines?

 

That extended warranty is only good up until 90k. It doesn't add 90k to the mileage when you bought it. At least thats what I was told

 

as soon as he posted he was gone though...troll ?

 

The finance person at the dealer even put down the warranty was good to 144,000 for the powertrain. Pretty good deal on a 2012 truck.

 

With over 22,000 posts? I recall some pictures of the shell of a burnt truck, but not recalling deets atm.

Edit: Oh, ha! I see what you were saying now. My bad!

 

not @Grey Wolf ..the guy who posted his truck went up in flames. he only had 2 or 3 posts.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/tundra-fire.25705/

I saw this with a quick search.

 

The mechanic I talked to said he has fixed a few leaking problems on the 4.6l but didn’t mention if it was the cam tower or not.

 

I wondered about that myself. Could be a Ford lurker....You would have to have some serious leaking going on for sometime with lots of smoke without catching fire at first. A bit skeptical about it even happening. The trolls story was iffy. Most likely truck was hit by alien anti-matter ray gun....