Turbo issue

I don’t agree that the engine needs to come out or that the cab should come off. I was looking at the location of the turbo from under the vehicle and it does look like it could be dropped without removing the cab. But the heat shielding and exhaust needs to be removed. Plus it’s a tight space so hand tools only or lots of extensions and ujoint sockets.

 

This makes me think the hot-vee turbocharged engine designs are superior. Put them up top in the vee where they are easy to access.

 

The new Land Cruiser V6 diesel has hot vee turbos.
BMW hot vee turbos had a small issue though. The turbos cooling would kill the 12V battery. BMW’s solution was to replace the 12V battery with each oil change.

 

How was that killing the 12v battery?

Most BMW’s mount the battery in the trunk.

 

I hear ya, but I was talking about the complicated servo controlled wastegate actuator, being installed in a manner that requires cab-off. I wouldn't expect any issues with the turbo itself, they're fairly reliable these days.

 

Labor doesn't seem bad to replace the turbos. A little more time given than resealing those v8 cam trays.

 

Do you know if it requires the removal of the cab to swap the turbos ? Or can it be done with the cab on ?

 

not bad, not great either

thanks for looking this up!

 

Amen, but this is the way of the world. Dealers gotta make margin somewhere. Ain’t much left for them on us that pay in cash and DIY common maintenance, we are the worst customers for them. Upsells, financing and service is what pays for those fancy showrooms. Outside financing, Margin on new car sales is a relative small profit center these days.

On the flip side, modern autos are on a relative basis incredibly reliable. I worked as a full service gas station attendant in High school. Don’t see too many of those around anymore. (Outside NJ)

TPMS, oil level sensors, what a world

 

I wonder what that makes the out of pocket expense if not covered by warranty. Ive read the cam tower repair is around $3500 and there isn’t any expensive parts, just labor and gasket material. Labor with new turbos and associated parts I would think must be $5k?

 

I think this is correct and undetermined at this time. Everyone claiming Turbo work require cab off seems to be referencing those cab off Facebook photos that are being reposted over and over. The original post on Facebook contains neither photos of turbo work nor, attribution to the owner with any additional context. Those posting actual repair manuals do not seem to reference raising cab. However 12 hours to do it does seem like a long time…

 

Cab off method is quicker (about 1-2 hours depending on the tech. and motivation) compared to pulling the engine to replace the turbo assemblies.

 

We have a similar issue on Corvettes where there are computer controlled actuators that operate exhaust valve cutouts. They are not as complicated as the Tundras' since they are just either open or shut depending on drive mode or manual setting... i.e., not infinitely variable. They also go through a startup test sweep and will throw a code if that fails. They have proven to be very reliable unless you take your car to a road race track and really push it. Many of those guys have had failures due to heat killing the actuator. Luckily for Corvettes these are much more accessible. One would think these Tundra actuators that are designed to be in or very near (via linkage?) a turbo waste gate have much better heat resistance.

 

The guy comparing cam tower hours to turbo hours is being a bit disingenuous.
Like you said, cam tower parts and supplies is fairly cheap. Also consider, cam tower leak doesn't disable the truck, you can delay repairs or just deal with it.

Turbos (X2) are expensive, with it being so much labor to access the turbos, you'd be a damned fool to buy anything other than Toyota OEM. You don't get these on eBay from China.

I think currently most independent repair shops are at $100/hr minimum, and dealership repair shops are nearly $150. You're looking at $1,290 to $1,935 just for labor to access the turbos.
I'm not sure what the turbos cost, but I'd assume $1,000 for each one is a fair guess.

The most expensive repair my 2007 Nissan Titan ever needed was the driver side power window went out 2 years ago, so this kind of math is scary, I keep my truck a long time, and the new Tundra is so nice I'd probably drive it even more than my current truck.

We'll need to see if someone can prove that the turbos can be removed from the engine with the truck in one piece.

 

Combination of two things. 1. Excessively running accessories to cool the turbo (water pump) and 2. Alternator turns on mostly during braking and coasting so it turns out it’s not enough to charge the battery.

 

I was merely emplying toyota is paying a little more to replace turbos than to reseal v8 cam trays with front timing cover. Turbos would be a faster repair than a reseal. Dealerships usually charge 1.5x hours of warranty time. Roughly 18 hours at customer pay to replace turbos out of warranty.

 

I think the worst part of all this is the complexity of the repair, engine out or cab off when combined to the average dealer tech doing it.

thats what scares me the most, most of us cringe when we take it in for an oil change, like ok, who's the dude working on it this time.

 

I think I read somewhere that the avg tech works on common maintenance like brakes, coolant (and novice tech works on oil changes). Something like this I'd hope is a master tech in the dealership with 10+ years experience

 

Not much new in this video, but he mentions the wastegate actuators are integrated into the turbos, doesn't provide a long look at the actuator mechanism though. Looks to me the actuator is external but the mechanism is not serviceable as a separate part from the turbo body. Maybe a circlip or two on the actuator mechanism would make it easier to service as a standalone part.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK6Ly8FiJgg

Car Care Nut guy at about 30 minutes in says something about the turbo and wastegate actuator is visible through the wheelwell. We'll see how this pans out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKRlBoj0s7E

 

Toyota is building the frames inhouse now at the San Antonio plant. No more Dana frames.

 

Thanks for posting video!

Summary of his 7 conclusions

1. Isolated Issue- He is estimating 0.1% of current production affected.

2. Emphasis that is an issue with the Turbo itself, only the turbo's actuator. However admits the latter can't be fixed without replacing the former.

3. Toyota is fully aware of issue and they are on top of it- Resolving it with supplier- Believes it won't carry on past this month to future production.

4. Not a safety issue- Can limp home on reduced power.

5. Access to Turbo's- He believes it requires them to remove the cab.

6. Parts Shortage- He is hearing 30 days to get a new turbo.

7. Should you buy or should you wait- His confidence is high Toyota has already resolved the issue, but safest move is wait 3 to 6 months. Hybrid should be out by then to compare against.

Last comment was the best: "Toyota is not perfect, although I believe they are better than other brands."

 

Too little too late. The sky has fallen. Everything is lost. Toyota will never sell another vehicle.
I’m not only selling my Tundra and buying an F150, I’m selling all of yours as well. Sorry not sorry.

 

LOL.

* walks into dealership to buy F-150 *

Dealer: Did you plan to trade anything in?

Terndrerr: As a matter of fact yes. I’ll be trading in a few hundred thousand Toyota Tundras.

Dealer: Uhhhh, do you actually own these trucks?

Terndrerr: That’s not important.

Dealer: OK sounds legit if that’s what it takes to earn your business!

 

Not sure if this was posted already

https://youtu.be/l0ULZe47SeI

 

If you're going to buy the very first batch of a brand new vehicle, you have to expect you're going to run into issues. It'll get worked out

 

Excellent summary. Shame Toyota isn’t capable or aware of how to manage consumer expectations

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQTSR56et0I

 

What the hell does he expect "pound sand" lol. Toyota said they acknowledged the problem and said they would take care of it. They are not magic, they cannot snap their finger and have the truck repaired. They have to wait for the replacement parts. I understand the frustration but jesus shit happens

 

I don't get it either.
Toyota corporate should just buy back these waste gate afflicted trucks and refund those customers if was just indeed 10 people and investigate the issue behind the scene.

I know, this is a slippery slope, people are going to ask for refund if wiper blades broke to abuse it if it becomes a habit, and I'm on Toyota's side to reject those frivolous claims if the emerge.

But , Toyotas are the best in terms of quality and low defective rate, so something this bad is going to be rare and they should just eat the cost and keep the customers happy.

 

doubt they'll offer buybacks. but typically they'll offer an amazing warranty to make up for the issue. buy backs happen RARELY