Help with Search for Solid 2.5 Gen

Hello all. I've been patiently searching for a clean 2.5 gen to use as my new daily, so my '03 Tacoma (current daily) can get fully built up to be a gnarly hunting truck. In a perfect world I'd find a 2018 Tundra Platinum 4WD (and ideally in white).

I drove a couple hours south to Phoenix to see 3 (what appeared to be) nice, sorted 2.5 gens. I noticed all 3 had the same oil leak on the front of the engine that appeared to be coming from behind a large brass-colored bolt behind the serpentine belt.




Has anyone else noticed a similar leak on their truck?

These were all 60k mile (or less) trucks, ranging from a 2015 to a 2020. I was very thorough to look for the cam tower leak, and didn't find it on any of the trucks, but was hesitant to purchase anything that could have a possible front timing cover leak. Any feedback on the leaks, or pointers/leads on finding a 2018 Platinum 4WD or 1794 4WD will be much appreciated.

*By the way, I've zeroed in on 2018 as the best year, based upon it having the factory trans cooler, LED headlights and TSS (mostly for radar cruise control). If I should consider other years, please let me know.*

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Any help if these pictures are cause for concern (see post #1)?

 

Search on Cam Tower Leaks

 

I've read thoroughly on cam tower leaks (on here) and never heard anyone mention it accumulating in the front. Always seems to seep out of the sides (usually near the rear of the engine).

 

I may have a similar leak on mine. Haven't had time to take it in yet.

 

Is it oil splashed during oil change? Like the rest was wiped off and sprayed with degreaser, but who'd be looking for it down the engine?

 

I’d look for a 2020 or 2021. No changes between those years and they got some things not found on previous years.

 

They degrade ATF much quicker, even in "cold" New England, without towing anything or racing. Have to put down a grand+ for ATF cooler.

Also no practical changes since 2018. "Better" radio is still meh.

 

https://youtu.be/Y35nPGILVI0?si=l0wRxXPEihdPmUwI

This isn't my video, but the first driver side oil accumulation he shows is exactly what I first saw and traced it back to that bolt pictured above (looks exactly the same). Seems to be too much oil accumulation to be explained by spillage, and seems to start at that bolt I pictured.

And I saw this on 3 separate trucks.

 

Yeah, same leak, and no, no splashing when filling.

 

Many 2020/21 offer smart handles and push to start, which is a pretty big upgrade to a lot of folks. The radios are still crap but they do have the added CarPlay feature.

 

So very minor features that not everyone even want I hate push to start in wife's Sequoia and hated it in her Volvo. Meanwhile, the stock transmission cooler is a big thing if you intend to keep the truck forever.

 

I purposefully looked for a 15-17. Did not want TSS or any of the other "upgrades". Also seemed to have less recalls. Bought from a dealer 1 owner full service history. A few scratches nothing major. Rides and drives like new at 160,000 miles. Could care less what radio is in it.

 

Don’t disagree on that, it was the first thing I added back to my truck. I just drove through canyons this weekend with 600ft elevation changes, maxed out payload and happy to say the transmission temp stayed under 195F with my Setrab cooler.

 

I too stalked the 17-18 until I found one last week. No oil leaks anywhere ay 37k miles. Perfect maintenance records from prior 2 owners. I wouldn't buy anything with a leak

 

A leaking 2.5 is still far superior to a brand new POS. Swap the 0w-20 water for some 5w-30 oil and it probably won't even leak. Change it every 5k and life is good!

 

Appreciate everyone's input. I found a gnarly looking 2018 Platinum (in white) that I'm going to see in the morning. Hoping it's as clean in person, and I'll join the 2.5 gen club.

 

Is that pretty well established that it's safe to do that? I'm relatively unfamiliar with this platform, been driving a Tacoma for years and just don't know enough.

 

I'm running 5w30 on 5k intervals. Same leak as you've observed.

Edit- yes, safe to run 5w30. It is listed in the owner's manual.

 

Has that leak gotten worse over time? Does it affect the reading on the dipstick between oil changes? Do you suspect it is coming from the front timing cover? Would that leak deter you from buying an otherwise perfect 2.5 gen? Thinking it's pretty common on these and I should just ignore it, if everything else checks out

 

Unknown, mostly. I didn't notice it until about 65k. I looked on a parts diagram and wasn't quite sure without spending more time investigating. It seemed damp, but not as bad as the guy in that video. Definitely not an emergency. Sorry I'm not much help, just too busy and it hasn't made it quite high enough on the priority list, yet. Based on what I've seen, no it wouldn't deter me from buying agin.

 

Thank you for your input! I agree it seems to not be a deal breaker type issue

 

Good luck in the search. Welcome from Phoenix.

 

Except for a tranny cooler…

 

which i have zero need for (if i was towing i'd have gotten an HD truck anyways) but appreciate the rest of what comes on my 2020

 

I've seen some people mention observing fairly high trans temps in 2019+ trucks when driving steep grades unloaded and not towing. That seems to be a reason for concern to me

 

It's the preferred oil by many members here. Many oil threads if you want to search it.Good choice on seeking out a great truck. Good luck with it when you find it!

 

Regarding leaks including the infamous cam tower...

So, this is just my personal experience w/my '08 SR5. I purchased this truck new, it's now sitting at just over 276k miles, and is still my daily driver.

Shortly after my '08 was past warranty, I had a dealership tell me that they noticed some slight seepage consistent w/the cam tower leak; as w/any dealership experience, most 'conditions' that are not green on the inspection sheet come back w/a recommendation for replace/repair and an estimate. Back then, this dealership I trusted to quality work, and they were generally not too pushy on selling unnecessary repairs. Anyhow, the service advisor gave me the estimate (a guy I had never worked w/before) as he told me about this 'leak'.

I explain that there's no way I'm spending money on a 'preventative' repair like this w/o verifying its severity. At this point, no noticeable loss of oil between service, no oil on the driveway, etc... So, the service advisor was able to get the truck back into the shop, had the tech point out the 'leak', and he then took me to the truck to point out what was being seen. Definitely minor seepage, but we both agreed that it this point it would be most prudent to just watch for significant increase in the leak, oil consumption/loss between changes...

That's was over 200k miles ago... Still no worse in terms of oil consumption/use, no leaks on the driveway, etc...

Over that time the trucks has towed (quite a bit during about a 6 year stint), numerous long mileage family vacations, etc...

Point being... not every small sign of oil seepage or leaks is catastrophic or a tell tale that the vehicle will not be reliable or need high $$ repairs in the near future. I get that it's hard to swallow sometimes when looking at a previously owned vehicle, but I'm just saying I'd consider a tiny drop of oil to be a 'factor' in my decision and a negotiating point in the transaction rather than a deal breaker The pendulum is swinging back into the consumer's favor at this point. So discrepancies or findings during your inspection of potential vehicles is a great place to leverage a better deal for yourself on a truck that you otherwise are very happy with.

The above is strictly my opinion based on a singular experience, but I've been so pleased with the reliability of my truck that I purchase another Tundra just prior to the introduction of the newer Gen ('21 Pro)!!!

Good luck in your hunt, and I hope you find something that checks all the boxes for you!!!!

PS>>> Also, I am a 5w-30 user, and if it hasn't been said already... oil changes every 5,000/6 months will keep your truck happy!!!