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

I want to tell you it's a rare issue, but that would depend on your definition of "rare". I would say at best that it's not uncommon. I, too, freaked myself out over this issue after I bought my 2018 but kind of calmed down after a while, but still checked for the leak every month or so before I found it leaking last week. It has been at the dealer since Wednesday and they estimate it being done by Monday. I'm pretty pissed to say the least. I feel sort of "uneasy" that my brand new engine has now been opened up, but hopefully that feeling will fade over time.

 

Yeah... I know what you mean... I found mine leaking on both sides.... haven’t said anything to the dealer yet... I wonder how many of these go undiagnosed? I mean, if I didn’t know about this issue, I might not have found it... so then you struggle with the option of leaving it alone... vs having your engine with only 15K miles on it opened up and hopefully fixed and put back together properly... UGH! What to do?!

 

If you're fine with it leaking a little you can just wait until you're closer to the end of your pawertrain warranty to have them fix it. I debated the same thing, but I want to get it over with so I can address any other potential issues that arise as a result of the engine being opened.

 

Update today on my situation: A Toyota rep called me today about my concerns (I wrote them a long email) and requested an extended warranty, and they basically told me to go f*** myself. The rep kept drilling home that I still have the remainder of my manufacturers warranty, which I kept acknowledging, but I said I now have a mfg warranty on a brand-new engine that has been opened up vs a mfg warranty on a brand new engine with no issues. I explained that I've been a Toyota customer since I started driving and purchased this because of Toyota's "legendary" reliability, but now my faith is kind of shaken. I said it would go a long way if Toyota told me they'd stand behind the engine for a little longer than the normal warranty period, but she claimed that would just be a "band-aid"? What?!

She also said that Toyota doesn't read any online forums or anything regarding issues, which I think is either BS or Toyota is stupid for not doing so. I get that they aren't going to go read this stuff and immediately go do DEFCON 5, but it would be dumb to not have someone reading this stuff to maybe prompt some investigation. Anyway, I guess I may have been wishfully thinking that I'd get an extended warranty, but I don't think I'll be keeping this truck past the powertrain warranty.

Sorry for the rant.

 

Does anyone know anyone high up in the media? I'm sure it'd make a good story, and I figure ford or gmc would love to know this is going on. They could trash the shit out of Toyota in commercials and blogs. This could be a huge black eye for Toyota especially since it's been going on for so long with them knowing about it. As of now, this will be my last Toyota I ever own

 

So I just got home from picking my truck up from the dealer. I was pretty paranoid and inspected everything and it looks like the tech did a really good job. I asked if they had to pull the engine or lift the cab and they said they can just do it all in the engine bay without taking it out. He said they've gotten really good at doing these since they've done so many (but I know that doesn't really mean they've done a lot to some people on this forum...). Anyway, after driving it home I have to say I feel a bit better. It felt just as smooth as before and didn't make any weird noises or anything, which I was super paranoid about. I also appreciated the service director going to bat for me and authorizing the repair of both sides.

Edit: I removed info about the dealership. My truck is back in the shop and the engine is being torn down for a third time.

 

Just confirmed that I have the dreaded cam tower leak at 81k miles, both sides. I initially had weeping just before the power train warranty expired, but not enough for the UV dye to show up. Have a call in to Toyota on Wednesday to see if they will step up on repair. Dealership here in town says they will need to remove engine to repair. Estimate is a little over $2100. This quote seemed lower than others I have seen on here.

 

Hopefully they'll help you out since you should have documentation that it was weeping before your warranty ran out.

 

If we were talking an F150 Ecoboost, with sales 5 times that of Tundra, the flawed cam tower leak would be addressed. First generation(2011-2015) Ecoboost motors had issues, and a Ford actually had representives on the forums. In 2016 the Ecoboost was all new from ground up; they not only addressed the issues, but built a new motor. One issue was carbon on valves because of direct injection, now they have direct injection AND port injection. Problem solved. Toyota should be all in, or get out of the 1/2 ton truck business.

 

First off, American manufactures are not going to make commercials bashing the cam tower leak. It’s petty and they would get destroyed. Toyota’s reliability reputation is far better than theirs and they have so many issues with their own brand it would be ridiculous.
Bashed in blogs? Already happens just as the “big 3” get bashed.
I wouldn’t run to the “big 3” based on this issue. You will surely find your share of issues on those brands. And please don’t tell me they will address it vigorously because there are countless stories of owners of the “big 3” having nothing but issues trying to get them to honor warranty claims. Trust me, I know personally from a Ford experience.
But, it’s your money and your right to buy any brand you want. I can tell you that my experience with Toyota is nothing short of fantastic. I’ve had countless Toyota’s that have been nothing short of 100 percent reliable. Two sit in the garage now. One is a Highlander that has over 100,000 on it that my wife’s beats on and it has never seen a dealer.
This is a bullshit issue that doesn’t seem to get enough of Toyota’s attention but if mine leaks I’ll let them fix it and move on.

 

Agreed, lawyers trying to cash in. You sign up and forfeit some of your rights and then get a 13 dollar check 9 years later.

 

Yeah, the most that would happen is Toyota might agree to extend the warranty period for this issue only, then the lawyers and whoever brought this forward would get a big chunk of cash.

 

These leaks or seeps look minor if anything. What are the long term issues if not fixed. Doesnt seem to leak or seep enough oil to cause any issue besides a bit of burnoff. I dont know if it is worth the work that needs to be done.

 

They probably leak until they've become caked with enough road grime and dirt until they stop. I've yet to hear of one catching fire, bet they'd get it sorted if that happened though....

 

Good question. Wondering the same thing. Does the leak get progressively worse until you're having to add a quart a week over time and you have a big oil stain in your driveway?

 

I don't think it'd ever get bad enough to be leaking a quart a week. I'm also not sure if it gets progressively worse, either. I have to admit it would be a tough decision for me if I was out of warranty.

 

My 2016 lost a quart of oil driving from Phoenix to Denver. But that was at 3k miles so it may have been a manufacturing defect, it was steady dripping from both sides. I don’t believe there was any chance of catching fire from leaking that bad, it smelled terrible, but most ended up on the frame and underbody.

 

Oh wow, you had a pretty bad leak then!

 

imo, they way Toyota will fix it is releasing a brand new engine in next Tundra generation...they won't bother on the current 5.7L..

 

Next release will be worse! It may not seep but it will be some sort of Direct Injection or Ecoboost type engine. Look at the new Tacomas!

I'll take the existing engine plus possibility of seep over the next release

 

You’re probably correct. They have used the 5.7 with alot of success. I don’t know that they can squeeze much more out of it in terms of fuel efficiency.
I’m excited to see the new gen Tundras.

 

Mine goes under the knife the 14th of January both sides. 18 CM 11,446 on the clock. Called Toyota about an extended warranty on the tower repair only. Manager is supposed to call me back.

 

Let us know how that goes. I tried a few days ago and they shot me down hard. If you're successful I just wonder if it depends on who you talk to...

 

They shot me down on my first couple of attempts. I first tried the dealership - no go. Then I called corporate - no go. Then I emailed Toyota corporate - that time it worked.

 

It took me a couple tries as well. Apply tenacity.

 

@Wynnded and @Atomic City Tundra, what kind of warranties did Toyota end up giving you?

 

I want to say the it was in the neighborhood of an additional 3 years and up to the 75k -ish mileage range. I'll have to check the next time I run out to the truck. I do know that it has since timed out, I don't put very many miles on. It wasn't as generous as others with newer trucks were getting when this entire fiasco first came to light, but it was something. I think that they took care of some of the additional vehicle rental that the dealer said that they were going to cover, but backed out of too.

 

Who did you email at Toyota corporate. I called today and have a case number. They also just sent me an email with the name of a representative. Thanks

 

So I wrote a pretty long and detailed email to Toyota corporate. They replied with a case number and asked me to call them so they could "make sure they had all the details". When I called and gave my case number it was obviously the first time this rep was learning about it. She literally read my email that I had written out loud to me, then basically said "sorry, but we can't give you an extended warranty". I talked/debated with her for about 20 min but she was just regurgitating her canned response.

 

Ended up with a 100,000 mile bumper to bumper.