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

good info and looks like they haven't change anything since we are seeing 2018's with the same issue. I don't think they will ever fix it on current engine. Next gen Tundra will have a new engine and that's how they will fix it imo...

 

Thanks for the inside info. One question: “The tolerances were .1 of passing...” what does this mean? What were the units of measure?

 

My passenger side is bone dry, my driver's side is weeping a bit. If you guys ever owned a BMW or Audi, this leak is barely a drop in the bucket in comparison. I'm not sure i feel comfortable with a tech tearing this much into the engine.

 

Just curious, is there a certain year that's more prone to leaking than others? I just went to look at my truck again, driver's side is maybe a little damp but i wouldn't even call it a weep. I have an 08 with 180K miles now, the sealant looks to be gray.

 

I don't think it really depends on the year. I've heard of issues on all years from 2007 and up. Haven't heard of any on the first gens, but that could just be because I haven't been focused on first gens.

 

I guess i got lucky then, i thought it had to do with where the trucks were being built after a certain year. The 4.7 from the first gen just had a valve cover, didn't have this cam tower seal. If it leaked, it would just leak from the VC gasket. LX470 is weeping from the VC but I don't plan on replacing it until it starts shooting out oil. The Spark plug tubes doesn't have oil when i did the tune up so, sweep it under the rug for now.

 

That would explain the lack of evidence from the first gens. Thanks for the information.

 

Hello from New Mexico. Well add me to the list. I have a 2018 with 4300 miles on it. Was working on the clamp that holds the wire harness to the firewall (had the clunk noise from that) when I noticed oil drips down on the frame and skid plate. Pulled up the forum to look this up and see where people where looking for the oil. Looked in thru the wheel well and sure enough. Contacted Toyota of ABQ and they have me scheduled for next week. They were going to order parts to be able to do both sides. We'll see how it all turns out.......

 

Damn, 4300 miles and leaking, that's terrible. Snap a pic if you can, i want to see how bad it is.

 

seems a lot of 2018's are showing it at low miles vs previous years.

 

Interesting, im at 180K miles now and no leaks, i wonder what changed.

 

Welcome! Sorry to hear about your leak. I am in the same boat, just rolled 4000 miles and found the leak on the passenger side. Mine isn't too bad, not pouring out on heat shield yet. If it stays like this I can wipe it with a rag every few thousand miles. Let us know how your appointment goes, very interested in the outcome before I head in for my first oil change and chat with service about this. Pic of my forming drip attached.

 

Just noticed mine this morning... slight burnt oil smell... small leak on both sides... should a truck with less than 15K miles leak oil... no.... AND... these trucks seem to run forever... I think I’ll wait to mention it to my dealer... already paid for the extended warranty...

 

Nothing changed - it is still the same stupid design. Prone to problems if there was any installation issues or sealant issue like voids. You just got a good install.

 

My truck is in at Jack Williams having some new Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT's installed and they just called to tell me "both valve covers are leaking" when they were re-installing the wheels/tires. Interested to see what they're classifying this as, but i'll definitely be using this thread as reference tonight.

2013 5.7l w/ 51,300 miles on it.

Praying I won't have to argue with the dealership if it comes to needing this completed!

 

Welp.

Called my local dealership, they gave me some push back on the warranty, saying the gaskets fall under the 3/36,000 warranty... As soon as I gave him the VIN and he found out it was a Toyota Certified Used Vehicle, he changed his tune right away. Scheduled to go in on the 13th to be checked out and have a front end alignment completed. I'll update this with their findings.

Thank you to all of you for the detailed experiences and pictures.

 

A update for you guys with the cam leak my 18 had it with about 5-600 miles mine got repaired since then I've put about 17k miles on it and its bone dry.

 

Mine was barely leaking like drops but after seeing this thread I called the dealership they didnt argue it and said to bring it in

 

2 weeks only because they're master tech was backed up.

 

Here's mine at 178K miles

 

damn !

 

Yep, i'm very surprised by this, according to this thread many 5.7 have it leaking as early as 4000 miles, someone got lazy while building their engines.

 

I am interested if the gasket material is applied by hand or machine. This has been going on since 2007 and is just flat out laziness on the part of Toyota to change the design or application process. Think of how much it has cost them in warranty work and aggravated customers over the years.

 

I think I read somewhere it is placed by robots. Who knows how much it would cost for new robots that arent as lazy as the current ones

 

SKYNET is taking us down! One slowly weeping tundra at a time...;-)>
B

 

I have heard this as well - robot applied.

 

blame it on the robots and leave it to the humans to fix it

 

some 2018s even as low as 400 miles...see few posts above yours

 

Both my seals went out at 36K, both were covered under warranty. Extensive work to get the seals replaced, took them two days...

 

It's a lot of work, tedious one at that. Chains have to come off as well, i hope the tech is good and put everything back to spec. The more things you remove, the higher chances you have of forgetting to put something back, esp if it spans over 2 days.