1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

2018 with Leaking Rear Main Seal

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by HTGreen, Jul 6, 2020.

  1. Jul 6, 2020 at 10:14 AM
    #1
    HTGreen

    HTGreen [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2015
    Member:
    #2221
    Messages:
    250
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Halsey
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 TRD Tundra Quicksand
    Was under the truck today, 5.7 non FFV, to lube front drive shaft, noticed oil on bell housing at weep hole, smells and feels like engine oil. Anyone else seen this issue on a 2018. Have 31,000 miles, with some towing.
     
  2. Jul 7, 2020 at 3:37 AM
    #2
    Cuban11182

    Cuban11182 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2018
    Member:
    #17564
    Messages:
    308
    Gender:
    Male
    Hope Mills, NC
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra Limited
    Kings w/ adjusters, Icon Rebound with Discover AT3 LT 285/75/R17, Airlift bags, ARB dual compressor, OV Tuning,
    On a side note, I didn't think the 18's had grease-able drive shafts. I know mine doesn't.
     
  3. Jul 7, 2020 at 3:40 AM
    #3
    HTGreen

    HTGreen [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2015
    Member:
    #2221
    Messages:
    250
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Halsey
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 TRD Tundra Quicksand
    Mine has them on front shaft
     
  4. Jul 7, 2020 at 4:20 AM
    #4
    TTund16

    TTund16 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2017
    Member:
    #5798
    Messages:
    1,150
    Gender:
    Male
  5. Jul 7, 2020 at 4:29 AM
    #5
    HTGreen

    HTGreen [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2015
    Member:
    #2221
    Messages:
    250
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Halsey
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 TRD Tundra Quicksand
    I looked all over after discovering the oil on the bell housing, no oil appears on oil pan or from the cam towers. Got appointment today with Toyota, I suspect they will add leak detecting fluid and have me come back for them to check. It feels and smells like engine oil.
     
  6. Jul 7, 2020 at 4:47 AM
    #6
    timsp8

    timsp8 Former Tundra owner for 13 years

    Joined:
    May 11, 2018
    Member:
    #15231
    Messages:
    3,524
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tim
    NY
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra Limited Crewmax - Traded In
    My 2010 had the rear main seal replaced twice. Don’t remember the mileage, but one was under factory warranty and other under extended warranty. So I feel you. It does happen with this drive train.
     
  7. Jul 7, 2020 at 5:10 AM
    #7
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer Vinyl Spinner

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2017
    Member:
    #7181
    Messages:
    6,620
    Gender:
    Male
    Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2002 4.7L RCLB 4X4 2007 5.7L RCSB 4X2
  8. Jul 7, 2020 at 6:16 AM
    #8
    Ruggybuggy

    Ruggybuggy Seasoned Veteran

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2019
    Member:
    #36508
    Messages:
    3,138
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dave
    NW ON, CANADA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tundra OR
    That stuff is not a good idea. The product works by swelling the seal for a tighter fit but the seal is compromised and will eventually fail again. The issue is that the chemical has the same result on every other seal in the motor.
     
    Last edited: Jul 10, 2020
  9. Jul 7, 2020 at 6:25 AM
    #9
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer Vinyl Spinner

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2017
    Member:
    #7181
    Messages:
    6,620
    Gender:
    Male
    Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2002 4.7L RCLB 4X4 2007 5.7L RCSB 4X2
    I've never read anything about it swelling rubber seals, do you have a link to any documentation?
     
  10. Jul 7, 2020 at 6:28 AM
    #10
    Cthulhu

    Cthulhu The White and Black Goat of the Woods

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2018
    Member:
    #17251
    Messages:
    1,255
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra Limited CM Premium Package
    And also, looks like OP’s ride is still under warranty...let the dealership fix it.
     
  11. Jul 7, 2020 at 6:52 AM
    #11
    Ruggybuggy

    Ruggybuggy Seasoned Veteran

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2019
    Member:
    #36508
    Messages:
    3,138
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dave
    NW ON, CANADA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tundra OR
    How do you think it repairs the seal, magic. Google it.
     
  12. Jul 7, 2020 at 6:54 AM
    #12
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer Vinyl Spinner

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2017
    Member:
    #7181
    Messages:
    6,620
    Gender:
    Male
    Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2002 4.7L RCLB 4X4 2007 5.7L RCSB 4X2
    Lol, that's a non-answer.
    My searches reveal no problems.

    That being said, a warranty repair at the dealer is what is required here.
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2020
  13. Jul 7, 2020 at 8:27 AM
    #13
    havasuTRD

    havasuTRD New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2018
    Member:
    #16000
    Messages:
    168
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brett
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra crewmax TRD 4X4
    My rear main was leaking on my 2017. Toyota found the problem was the second oil pan. It was deformed from the factory and leaking down to that location. Had to pull the motor to get to it. But they replaced it and I haven’t had any problems since.
     
  14. Jul 7, 2020 at 9:00 AM
    #14
    texasrho83

    texasrho83 DGAF#1

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2017
    Member:
    #7025
    Messages:
    8,717
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Charles
    Conroe TX
    Vehicle:
    2016 DC MGM 4x4
    See build link
    Second oil pan?!
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2020
  15. Jul 7, 2020 at 9:08 AM
    #15
    huntertn

    huntertn New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2019
    Member:
    #32273
    Messages:
    315
    First Name:
    Steve
    Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    2008 White CrewMax Limited 4x4
    There is an upper and lower oil pan. I assume he meant that the upper was leaking.
     
    JohnLakeman likes this.
  16. Jul 7, 2020 at 10:38 AM
    #16
    texasrho83

    texasrho83 DGAF#1

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2017
    Member:
    #7025
    Messages:
    8,717
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Charles
    Conroe TX
    Vehicle:
    2016 DC MGM 4x4
    See build link
    Pretty sure my rear main is leaking too :mad:
     
  17. Jul 7, 2020 at 10:48 AM
    #17
    HTGreen

    HTGreen [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2015
    Member:
    #2221
    Messages:
    250
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Halsey
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 TRD Tundra Quicksand
    They kept my truck, they said definitely there is a leak, put me in a 2019 Tacoma TRD on their nickel, why they free up a master tech to pull the transmission/transfer. No bull shit about adding tracer fluid and having me bring it back.
     
    GODZILLA likes this.
  18. Jul 7, 2020 at 10:50 AM
    #18
    havasuTRD

    havasuTRD New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2018
    Member:
    #16000
    Messages:
    168
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brett
    Vehicle:
    2017 Tundra crewmax TRD 4X4
    Yes the upper. Toyota said they have a lot of imperfections with the molds. They ordered 2 and one was worse than the leaky one!!!
     
  19. Jul 10, 2020 at 12:40 AM
    #19
    HTGreen

    HTGreen [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2015
    Member:
    #2221
    Messages:
    250
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Halsey
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 TRD Tundra Quicksand
    They ae telling me I won't get my truck back until the middle of next week, I guess their master techs are not working overtime, or there is more non-warranty work to keep them busy. I'll just keep driving their loaner Tacoma's wheels off.
     
  20. Jul 10, 2020 at 5:17 AM
    #20
    Ruggybuggy

    Ruggybuggy Seasoned Veteran

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2019
    Member:
    #36508
    Messages:
    3,138
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dave
    NW ON, CANADA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tundra OR
    There was a problem on certain years of Tuundra that had a problems with couple of locating dowels that are used to position the rear main seal housing. The supplier of the dowels had made them slightly to long and they prevented the rear main housing from sitting flush with the block and would cause the leak. Make sure you mention that to them when they remove the tranny because if they just just change the rear seal you could still have the leak.
     
    jtwags, blanchard7684, rodm1 and 4 others like this.
  21. Jul 10, 2020 at 5:36 AM
    #21
    JohnLakeman

    JohnLakeman Burning Internet Daylight

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2019
    Member:
    #26430
    Messages:
    3,008
    Gender:
    Male
    Outside of Weird, TX
    Vehicle:
    2017 MGM DC TSS 4.6L
    TRD Pro grille, 2018 LED Headlights, Undercover Flex bed cover, Neoprene seat covers, Bed/tailgate mats, Power tailgate lock, auto headlights, illuminated key switch
    Dang, that's good info @Ruggybuggy. Only way to find that out is to be in the bizness. :thumbsup:
     
    TTund16 and Ruggybuggy[QUOTED] like this.
  22. Jul 10, 2020 at 5:38 AM
    #22
    JohnLakeman

    JohnLakeman Burning Internet Daylight

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2019
    Member:
    #26430
    Messages:
    3,008
    Gender:
    Male
    Outside of Weird, TX
    Vehicle:
    2017 MGM DC TSS 4.6L
    TRD Pro grille, 2018 LED Headlights, Undercover Flex bed cover, Neoprene seat covers, Bed/tailgate mats, Power tailgate lock, auto headlights, illuminated key switch
    Yes, but is it covered by warranty, or will you find out later you have a very expensive Taco rental? :D
     
  23. Jul 10, 2020 at 9:54 AM
    #23
    HTGreen

    HTGreen [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2015
    Member:
    #2221
    Messages:
    250
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Halsey
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 TRD Tundra Quicksand
    It's warranty, truck is 2018 with 31,000.
     
  24. Jul 10, 2020 at 12:08 PM
    #24
    JohnLakeman

    JohnLakeman Burning Internet Daylight

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2019
    Member:
    #26430
    Messages:
    3,008
    Gender:
    Male
    Outside of Weird, TX
    Vehicle:
    2017 MGM DC TSS 4.6L
    TRD Pro grille, 2018 LED Headlights, Undercover Flex bed cover, Neoprene seat covers, Bed/tailgate mats, Power tailgate lock, auto headlights, illuminated key switch
    Ah, yeah, I had yours confused with a concurrent thread with leaking rear main @ 98K+. For that, Toyota is going to need to accept the blame.

    Congrats. Great news, and good service (Taco loaner). :thumbsup:
     
  25. Jul 10, 2020 at 4:03 PM
    #25
    TTund16

    TTund16 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2017
    Member:
    #5798
    Messages:
    1,150
    Gender:
    Male
    very good info!
     
  26. Jul 10, 2020 at 4:19 PM
    #26
    ZappBrannigan

    ZappBrannigan The mind is willing but the flesh is weak

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2018
    Member:
    #23724
    Messages:
    2,118
    Gender:
    Male
    Canada, by way of Hawaii
    Vehicle:
    2018 1794 MGM
    NVS light bar
    Great Info in this thread.
     
  27. Jul 12, 2020 at 4:20 AM
    #27
    HTGreen

    HTGreen [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2015
    Member:
    #2221
    Messages:
    250
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Halsey
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2018 SR5 TRD Tundra Quicksand
    I got my truck back on Saturday, they said the rear seal retainer plate was leaking, not the seal itself, they resealed it. Time will tell, I'll watch the bell housing for a leak.
     
    Vr0ck likes this.
  28. Jul 12, 2020 at 6:33 AM
    #28
    Ruggybuggy

    Ruggybuggy Seasoned Veteran

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2019
    Member:
    #36508
    Messages:
    3,138
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dave
    NW ON, CANADA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tundra OR
    Did they replace the dowels? That's exactly what happens when the defective dowels are installed. I would have had them replace the rear main seal as well. Might as well start with a new seal even if I had to pay for the part.
     
  29. Jul 13, 2020 at 5:59 AM
    #29
    blanchard7684

    blanchard7684 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2018
    Member:
    #21856
    Messages:
    879
    Gender:
    Male
    High quality information here...thank you very much.

    Do you know what years were primarily affected?
     
  30. Jul 13, 2020 at 6:27 AM
    #30
    Ruggybuggy

    Ruggybuggy Seasoned Veteran

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2019
    Member:
    #36508
    Messages:
    3,138
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dave
    NW ON, CANADA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tundra OR
    I'm sorry I dont recall but thought it was 2018. I remember a customer had bought a new Tundra and after she drove it for a couple of months the truck was dripping oil on the driveway. When it came in we verified the leak and Toyota confirmed a problem with the dowel locating pins manufactured slightly too long. New pins were sent and the problem was fixed but the customer still didn't want the truck back and insisted on a new one. We had a few after that but Toyota corrected the problem quickly.
     
    Last edited: Jul 13, 2020
    TTund16 likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top