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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 16, 2018 at 12:13 PM
    #181
    Wynnded

    Wynnded What MPG...

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    It's probably not you...
     
  2. Feb 16, 2018 at 3:55 PM
    #182
    fishman1

    fishman1 New Member

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    Just got back from the second dealership and they diagnosed it as a passenger side tower cam leak starting. They were awesome being honest and detailed on the repair that is to eventually to come.. It’s not bad enough yet to justify cracking the engine open but did say it will be ready by 20-30k all warranty. Nice....at only 8400 miles, come on Toyota!! I am pissed and wondering if I will ever purchase another Toyota... The shop foreman did say Toyota is covering this and the ones they have done have not come back, nevertheless very disappointed in a 47k$ truck with only 8400 miles on it.. Has anyone contacted Toyota to complain and start a stink about this ongoing problem????
     
  3. Feb 16, 2018 at 4:02 PM
    #183
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

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    yep they never fixed the issue since it started circa 2008....
     
    Last edited: Feb 20, 2018
  4. Feb 16, 2018 at 4:09 PM
    #184
    SMK Shoe

    SMK Shoe Not New Member

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    Step Bars, Rear Swaybar, 2,000 Watt Amp, 2-10" Subs, new door speakers, De-Badged, Hondo vent mounts, Calipers, 6112/5100 shocks, SPC UCA's, Front bumper, Bed Bars, bed rack, Fuel Rims
    I wish we could stop talking about this. Every time I'm driving and someone in front of me has a oil leak or burning oil I think, Is it me? have I fallen victim to a leaking tower seal? I bought a new truck so I wouldn't have to worry about these problems the first few years.
     
    Watt maker, Casper3 and TheBeast like this.
  5. Feb 16, 2018 at 4:13 PM
    #185
    fishman1

    fishman1 New Member

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    Ha, ha, agreed but very good thread letting folks know what to look for. Now I will shut up until time of repairs....still pissed and will be taking it up with Toyota, knowing I won’t get too far...
     
    TheBeast likes this.
  6. Feb 16, 2018 at 4:36 PM
    #186
    Vizsla

    Vizsla ☠️☠️☠️

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    It’s no big deal, no matter what no Tundra I’ve owned was unable to drive to the dealer to get an oil leak or rattle fixed. I’ve had a few other nice trucks, think most of them got at least one tow truck ride to the dealer, some many...
     
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  7. Feb 17, 2018 at 6:45 AM
    #187
    IndyTundra

    IndyTundra Did someone say beer?

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    Just got back fron the dealer, cam tower leak confirmed on at least the left side. Will be dropping it off Monday evening.
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2018
  8. Feb 17, 2018 at 2:03 PM
    #188
    Rosco

    Rosco New Member

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    I do not own a Tundra (yet), but this issue is the reason. Even though I do not own one, I did call Toyota corporate and received a case number detailing the Camshaft Tower leak. Why you might ask? I still want one of these trucks and even if it does not help me, I would be very upset if my new Tundra had this issue.

    If the owners who have had the leak (VIN # and dealership) do not get the attention of corporate, there will never be a TSB or recall due to it not being a safety issue with NTSB. If a skilled technician at a dealership can fix it, then there is no reason the assembly line cannot be corrected.

    I might still buy a Tundra knowing that the top end may have to be torn down because I like it so much. There is just no reason for this to be an issue.

    I apologize for being a non-Tundra owner (for now) trying to weigh in on this issue.
     
  9. Feb 18, 2018 at 5:11 AM
    #189
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    The fact that they have not been able to correct this at the production level leads one to believe its a design flaw and the reason we haven't seen it solved is Toyota doesn't have a fix. I have been reading up on this and some feel that with the torque that gets applied to that area and the fact they use fipg sealant there and not an actual gasket leads to the leak. You are asking a lot of this type of gasket material to hold, any movement and it will fail. The fact that the fix is just to gob on twice the amount of fipg sealant seams more like a band aid then an actual fix. If it was the solution why wouldn't Toyota just increase the amount of gasket material at engine assembly. I found out about this issue after I bought my truck and thought well maybe its only so many trucks and mine wont leak, here I am a year later and leaking. Honestly if I knew it was this prevalent it would have probably swayed my decision on purchase.
     
  10. Feb 18, 2018 at 7:14 AM
    #190
    IndyTundra

    IndyTundra Did someone say beer?

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    How about the trucks on here with 100k+ miles? Have they has this issue? Or is it just an annoyance that won't cause a major problem?
     
  11. Feb 18, 2018 at 7:47 AM
    #191
    jeremyd

    jeremyd 2014 Crewmax SR5

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    Dang ! This thread has me looking through my stupid wheel wells every other day. With 36k and the gray colored sealant, I don’t have anything. No seepage no nothing. But I do have to admit, I have stomped on this truck no more than 5 times in its life so far. I basically drive this thing like an old lady, even towing I don’t let it get above 2500 rpm’s. I’m pretty sure if I drove this thing like normal, it would probably start seeping...
     
  12. Feb 18, 2018 at 7:59 AM
    #192
    Wynnded

    Wynnded What MPG...

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    No, the LCs are assembled in Japan....and aren't having this issue. I have no idea if the same procedure is being used.
     
    Watt maker likes this.
  13. Feb 18, 2018 at 8:50 AM
    #193
    1BadTundra

    1BadTundra New Member

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    Mine now has 99,000 miles... Shes been leaking since 70,000. Its a small seep, I just hit it with degreaser when I give it a good wash (not just a once over) about twice a year. Just by looking at it, you wouldn't even know I have this issue... Fortunately, it hasn't gotten any worse over the years.
     
    mtndds98 and r1-superstar like this.
  14. Feb 18, 2018 at 2:55 PM
    #194
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    I searched last night to see if the LC's had the issue and couldn't come up with anything. Maybe they have a correctly programmed robot over there laying down the sealant or its an actual person doing it.

    I don't baby mine and have the issue, do lots of towing as well.
    How much oil are you loosing per oil change to it? So far I have 6k since my last oil change and the issue has popped up sometime within this range and I've lost 1/2qt oil.
     
    Watt maker likes this.
  15. Feb 18, 2018 at 7:01 PM
    #195
    Tacogrande

    Tacogrande New Member

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    I was told that Toyota only pays the tech for 8 hours to do the repair but it actually takes 14-16 hours of labor . Maybe Trdlife can chime in on this?
     
    trdlife likes this.
  16. Feb 18, 2018 at 7:09 PM
    #196
    Y0TA PR0

    Y0TA PR0 Dirt biking & fishing

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    I thought the 5.7L was only made in the USA?
    If so, the engine must go to Japan already built, for the Landcruiser and Lexus 570. But not sure. I’m just assuming.
    Or maybe the engine goes to Japan partly made and Japan finishes it for they’re quality control. :notsure:
     
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  17. Feb 18, 2018 at 8:00 PM
    #197
    Y0TA PR0

    Y0TA PR0 Dirt biking & fishing

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    This all I could find lol.

    However, while the Lexus engine is produced in Japan, the only plant in the world building the i-Force 5.7-liter is Toyota's plant in Huntsville, Alabama. And the aluminum engine block and heads are cast by Bodine Aluminum (owned by Toyota) in Troy, Missouri. So this is the engine with the most North American content Toyota has ever built. Japan, however, had plenty to do with the design.
     
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  18. Feb 18, 2018 at 8:15 PM
    #198
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    I hope that's not the case, Doesn't make you feel good about having your truck repaired.
     
  19. Feb 19, 2018 at 1:13 AM
    #199
    Rosco

    Rosco New Member

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    TheBeast, Wynnded and Watt maker like this.
  20. Feb 19, 2018 at 6:08 AM
    #200
    Wynnded

    Wynnded What MPG...

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  21. Feb 20, 2018 at 3:26 AM
    #201
    TTund16

    TTund16 New Member

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    i also think Sequoia has exact same engine as Tundra! but most people don't see or pay as much attention or look for a little seepage unless it smells or burns too much oil ... OCD people (i.e. %75 of tundras.com) are different story ... :wink:
     
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  22. Feb 20, 2018 at 10:19 AM
    #202
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    At the dealer now, learn my fate soon. I looked at a landcruiser on the lot And looks to be same sealant as our tundras on the cam tower.
     
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  23. Feb 20, 2018 at 12:09 PM
    #203
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    Well dealer confirmed cam tower leak, they have ordered the necessary parts to complete the repair and will call to schedule once parts arrive. Service advisor said they pull the engine to complete the repair. I also asked him on the cause of it and he said robots at factory not applying enough sealant and it fails. He also told me they see it all the time, very common and his team leader has repaired so many that I shouldn't have an issue after the repair.

    Still sucks the motor has to be pulled on my 21k mile truck for something Toyota should already taken care of at the production level. I guess I will call Toyota and request an extended warranty and see what they say. So much has to come apart for this repair I'm worried about down the road issues.
     
  24. Feb 20, 2018 at 12:16 PM
    #204
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

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    robots failing the humans :typing:
     
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  25. Feb 20, 2018 at 12:18 PM
    #205
    Tacogrande

    Tacogrande New Member

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    look up boston dynamics...robots will be used in more ways than just manufacturing and utility!..
    And i dont mean that in a good way!
     
  26. Feb 20, 2018 at 2:12 PM
    #206
    Rosco

    Rosco New Member

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    Man I hate that for you. From everything I have read, stick to your guns when asking (demanding) the extended warrantee. They have known about this since 2008. It does sound like you have a very experienced service department so that is awesome. I also read that pulling the engine allows for a lot more access and a cleaner job.
     
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  27. Feb 20, 2018 at 3:38 PM
    #207
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    Yeah its a pretty big bummer, as much as we talk on how awesome and reliable these trucks are I have never had an engine pulled on any of my past vehicles...

    As for the warranty extension, are people requesting this at the dealer level or contacting Toyota directly? I have seen where some have been able to get a 120k 10yr warranty. This would be ideal as removing an engine and all components, then tearing into it leaves a lot of room for error and possible future issues down the line
     
  28. Feb 20, 2018 at 3:48 PM
    #208
    blizz86

    blizz86 New Member

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    Call corporate toyota, the dealership prob won't give you much. Just be persistent and demanding.
     
  29. Feb 20, 2018 at 3:53 PM
    #209
    Alloutdrs1

    Alloutdrs1 New Member

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    Thanks, looks like I will contact them tomorrow and open up a case and hopefully they wont give me to much grief.
     
  30. Feb 21, 2018 at 4:01 AM
    #210
    TTund16

    TTund16 New Member

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    if the problem truly exists since 2008 it can not be a design and/or seal or you would think it should have been resolved by now!
    my 2016 has too much sealant compared to my friend's car and the sealant color is different as well (light gray vs. very dark gray)
    looks like they have programmed the robots to apply more sealant in some cars ... or they are not consistent!

    it could have more to do with the vibration or heat!?
    how are the 2 parts of the cam tower connected?
    does anyone have a picture of the two parts and how they are bolted together? I can't tell by looking at my car or the pictures.
    can you access the bolts easily?

    I wouldn't be surprised if the cam tower bolts need re-torqueing after so many miles and/or years due to vibration and expansion/contraction ....
    you would think the thin oil is not helping either.
     
    scornwel likes this.

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