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

Alloutdrs, I was wondering how bad yours had to get before they did the repair? I was told it had to be leaking and making a mess on the heat shields before they will repair? I feel your pain, mine started leaking at 6k now 14k and still not leaking bad enough to repair....may not be a big issue but quite a pisser after shelling out 40k for a truck and finding out the top end of the engine will need to be opened up to fix.

 

any pictures ?

 

So the dealership screwed up and let some other guy other than my normal service guy take my truck and he dropped the ball and never contacted me in over a week. I decided to come in person to talk to someone and after I spoke to the head mechanic who works on my truck, the service manager asked to speak with me. She was very apologetic because of the lack of communication with the service guy and told me she is taking over. She got my leak approved under warranty. She also told me when they were inspecting the truck that they noticed my water pump was leaking and got that replaced under warranty as well since it has to come off either way for the original repair and because of the inconvenience of them having my truck for almost two weeks. Now I know it blows that they have my truck for two weeks, but at least I’m getting my leak and water pump replaced on their dime since I’m out of warranty at 62000 miles. I will get my truck back on Monday exactly two weeks from bringing it in.

 

Mine was leaking on the heatshield passenger side, happened between my 15k and 20k oil change. I noticed it while doing my 20k oil change, I always look things over and it wasn't there during my 15k so it popped up pretty quick for me. Toyota would only approve for the passenger side to be done so my truck only has one side resealed. I did get a $350 credit from Toyota to make things right for my inconvenience.

 

Here’s what mine looked like at. 6k miles. Dealership where I bought it said it wasn’t a leak and it would dry up......second dealer knew all about the issue and documented it but it still is not repaired since it’s not bad enough yet..

 

Just walked down to the neighbors. He has a 15 pro with 90k. Passenger side no leak, drivers side has it. If I hadn’t pointed it out he probably never would have known.

 

I'd call corporate up and complain. Any leak on that new of a vehicle is complete crap and should be fixed.

Did they do the BS dye test to "confirm"? I remember when I brought mine in and they said that they had to put this dye in to "confirm" the leak....I was like "the oil running down the side of my engine isn't confirmation enough?". Jeebus.

Good luck.

 

you just made his day..lol

 

It's wet and there's oil hanging off the tab thingy. That's a leak.

 

I call complete BS on this. If a dealer told you that they are full of it. That implies that basically 100 percent of Tundras leak and that is definitely not the case.

 

The dealership told me when I was speaking to the master tech and the service manager that if you have the grey seal instead of black you’re more than likely going to have a leak at some point. The master tech said that when they pop off the covers they just come right off with the grey seal and basically falls apart. When he has fixed leaks with the black seal, he said it’s really difficult and feels like you’re going to break the cover. Said the grey seal is shit and doesn’t know why they are still using it with so many failures.

 

At the end of the day. Everyone just needs to keep an eye on their engines for leaks and take it to dealership when you find it. Remember being an asshole when talking to anyone for anything you want or need does not make that person want to help you. Just like don’t fuck with people who make or bring your food. Trust me. I could have been a dick since the dealership has had my truck for two weeks to fix the leak but since I was cool and didn’t complain they decided to replace my water pump for the inconvenience. I’m out of warranty and not paying a dime to fix the seal and pump.if I was being an ass that could have gone the opposite way and cost me lots of money.

 

If the leak is small enough that I can wipe off the oil every now & then, and it's not dripping onto the exhaust or pavement below - I'm not going to worry about it. I'll check my oil when gassing up, top off as needed and change it with a new filter every 5k.

 

Sure, but I know of MANY Tundras that are not showing any signs of a leak so to say “good luck finding one that doesn’t have a leak” is a little dramatic.

 

I hear ya. It just sucks that Toyota knows the sealants quality is a problem and many will have and already have had a problem with it at some point or another. it sucks even more if you have to pay for it.

 

Agree with that statement 100%. Failure on Toyota’s part.

 

I have a 2018 Limited crew cab with 3600 miles and sure enough my passenger side is a little wet towards the back.. Total Crap!!!

 

My 2013 had 82,000 miles on it but I started noticing a burnt oil smell at about 75,000 when I towed a trailer from Nashville to Birmingham and up a steep hill. Thought maybe it was just a strain on the motor since I didn’t see any oil leak and when I checked, the oil level was fine. But I kept on smelling the burnt oil smell after any travel.
I found this forum and looked at the pictures then compared to the passenger side and there it was!!!!
Called my dealer and was given the run around and a snide comment about “self diagnostic” from google!!!! (The same comment you get when you tell a doctor that google says this about your symptoms!!)
Any how, the lady did check the details about my truck and I had supprisingly forgotten that it was a CERTIFIED ISED TOYOTA VEHICLE so, long story short, I took the truck to the dealer and just like Dr. Google said, I’ve got not one, but 2 Cam Tower leaks. They’ve got the truck for a week and I’m in a brand new rental courtesy of Toyota!!!! All covered by the warrenty!!!

 

good deal ! tell that dealership they can thank Google for the bill

 

WELCOME! Glad it’s getting fixed under warranty!

 

They very well could be. I know they don’t all leak I found 1 2007 and at least 3 2008 that we’re dry to bad the bed was rusting from the bottom up.
Going to look at a new one tomorrow. I’m guessing Toyota at least has figured out the bed rust issues.

 

Yea, sure. Whatever..

 

After you get it back make sure to change your oil early to get out any containments from the repair. It took me 15k miles to finally have an oil change where there wasn't repair debris in the filter. Glad they are taking care of it under warranty. It's still a bummer to have the leak, and have your motor opened up.

 

so you have 15K on it since the "surgery" ? no more leaks ? black sealant right ?

 

Yeah I had the leak repaired at 21k and I'm at 37xxx now. Only my passenger side was leaking and that's all they repaired at the time, but so far so good with no leak on the repaired side or the original seal on the driver side. Still concerns me I had 15k worth of repair debris floating around but I guess all is well, who knows. My oil change at 36k had a clean filter so I was happy to finally see that. I may or may not keep this truck long term haven't decided yet.


Oh yeah, black sealant on the repaired side.

 

Just had my 18' done 4600mi and they only did the leaky side (driver), i hope the passenger never develops this leak.

 

jeez 4600mi, That's just unacceptable. Hearing stories like that has be convinced this is an inherent design flaw of the 5.7 and at some time they will all develop the leak. Otherwise you would think Toyota would have this handled by now, its not an easy or inexpensive repair bill for them and add on top customer satisfaction. I can honestly say this truck has been in the shop less then other trucks I've owned previously but this truck had the most major repair I've ever needed performed with the cam tower leak.

 

it seems the early ones don't have so much of the issue i.e. 2007/2008

 

Well then maybe the engine plant needs an overhaul, they are as long in the tooth as our trucks are...lol.