8/15 Tundras on lot at dealership have cam tower leak

I recently went to look at the used Tundras at a local Toyota dealership and 8 out of 15 had leaking. All but two are on the passenger side. The other two had it on both sides. I can't believe they are selling these in this condition and I am sure 99% of potential buyers will not look for this leak. Most leaks were minor, but nonetheless. Most were leaking towards the rear/back area where it is hard to notice unless you stick your head in there.

The worst leak observed is a 2017 with 25k miles leaking on both sides .

Some photos I took.

 

Hope u told the dealer

 

I must be missing something because a couple of those don't look like they have a leak at all.

 

I can barely see it on some of them. And some of them don’t look like it at all. How did you spot that? I’ve looked at mine and it seems completely dry. If mines seeped a little I don’t know if I would want it torn down just for that.

 

Same...I don't see it. They look bone dry.

 

how can something like this be prevented?

 

I updated the photos with arrows to show where the area is covered with oil. The last photo is my 2018 that has just started to leak.

 

Those tabs with the hole are supposed to be metal color not oil color... those look black unless it's just the lighting. My passenger side looks oil color but you can still see the metal under the oil.

 

I'm afraid to go out and check mine!

 

Even a little bit of oil is irritating and should not be happening. Especially since they’ve known about it for a long time and have yet to make a permanent fix on newer engines. With that said, it’s very minimal, I don’t know if I would want my engine torn down for that. But I would want them to take a note so that it if it ever got worse after warranty I may have something to stand on.

 

Yep my 18 is in for the passenger side now because they only did 1 side the 1st time. 6k miles...

 

Love this thread as now I have a way to fill my time this Thursday when I take my truck in for it's one year service. I will take my headlamp and scope out the undersides of the used trucks on the lot. Food for thought, would it be of any benefit to tell the service advisor about any leaks I see? Only reason I can think of is it would be a good test of the dealership's integrity; if they act like they have no idea what the cam tower leak is or don't care about the leaking vehicles then I will be concerned should my truck eventually develop the leak.

 

It can’t. If it leaks or seeps under warranty get it fixed. Only gets worse and costs about 4K, and once it leaks bad enough it can fail inspection if you live where vehicle inspections are required. Really isn’t a big deal, certainly not tearing down the engine, just time consuming. Once your warranty is up they aren’t going to cover it.

 

if you found that 50% are leaking, i’m wondering if the cam tower leak is on MOST Tundras or just some??

are you more likely to have the leak or not have a leak?

 

I was told Saturday when I had mine in for it’s free service that if it’s not dripping Toyota will not fix it! I had the head tech look at it and it took him a few seconds to say you have a leaking cam tower but it’s not dripping just seeping. When it drips we will fix it. Mine has 13,000 miles on it.

 

Harsh..

 

Well. . . I am going to have to look at mine... Ugh

 

I agree. I think I will have them take note of it and have it fixed before warranty is out. Unless it gets worse which it might since mine is already leaking before 6k miles.

 

Bought my 2011 with 102k. The guy said the valve cover was leaking but turned out both sides had the cam tower leak. Now at 120k and the the leaks getting worse. Any advice on how to proceed from those with experience?

 

is this a reason to not be the truck??

 

*buy..

 

Damn it. Just checked mine and found a droplet of oil on the drivers side. To the dealership tomorrow I go. 18 Crew Max 11k miles.

 

Not true, that’s your dealer saying that. There is no degree of leaking involved, for Toyota it leaks or it doesn’t. You can call Toyota customer care and force their hand, bet your dealer didn’t document it though, or wait till it drips. Might be better to do the latter relationship wise with your dealers head tech since you have plenty of warranty left.

 

8k on my 18cm ill have to check. I knew before the buy about the issue but hadnt seen or heard of it coming up before at least 70k. Is it just 5.7 or 4.6 as well?

 

I believe 5.7 only. Leak will be towards the rear of the engine. Supposedly in manufacturing the robot that applies the sealant doesn’t lay down a heavy enough bead.

 

This is like seeing Jesus in the clouds or the Virgin Mary in a piece of wood

 

Must. Resist. Dirty. Joke.

 

Those leaks won't even cause an issue. By 5k-10k miles you would get an oil change and never notice a thing... You are being paranoid. Before posting do your research. It would take probably 30k miles before you even saw anything on the dipstick and I doubt it even at that. Over time most vehicles develop small leaks that don't cause any issues... It would take a much more serious leak for me to worry or take any action. It's like a 16 yr old that just bought his first car...

 

Just gave my truck a one over and leaks (yet), but I only have 625 miles. Such a disappointment to see this occurring on so many new trucks. It’s just a matter of time for it go happen to everyone based on what we are seeing here. May be time to consider getting an extended Toyota warranty.

 

Thats the same thing they told me when my 14's rear main seal started leaking at 30k. New vehicles shouldnt leak oil, period.