Zero drips visible. To me these pictures don’t suggest a leak at all, just a really corrosion-free chassis.
5.7L V8 Cam Tower Leaks, Timing Cover Leaks, Valley Plate Coolant Leak
- Thread starter ElkRig
- Start date
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Well, have a good look under the hood around the engine. You should be able to spot a leak. Seems these oil stains could also be from a sloppy oil change not draining the filter cap and letting the contents splash around.
Cam tower leaks are most visible with a bright flashlight through the wheel well. You'll see evidence above the exhaust manifolds.
The timing cover leak is similar, only it'll mostly be in the front, usually on the driver's side starting above the AC compressor but smearing downward all over it and the front of the engine. Not much oil making it to the manifolds.
The timing cover leak is similar, only it'll mostly be in the front, usually on the driver's side starting above the AC compressor but smearing downward all over it and the front of the engine. Not much oil making it to the manifolds.
I would recommend the beautiful looking Defender in this case…
Adding on to this thread.
Can anyone confirm the pictures below indicate a timing cover leak, and not something else? Drivers side, front only. No drops making it to the skid plates or the ground. 2011 LX, 118K miles. 0W20 for most of its life, recent switch to 5W-30 after the leak started.
Is the consensus still that timing cover leaks can be ignored safely? Has anyone had one of these leaks significantly progress over time such that addressing it was necessary?
The occasional hot oil smell irritates me, but probably not several thousand dollars worth of irritation...
Overview:
Above the AC compressor:
A little oil also a little higher and towards the drivers door, might just be getting flung around?
From the drivers wheel well, little bit of oil at bottom left near the bolt.
Bottom view, front of engine:
Can anyone confirm the pictures below indicate a timing cover leak, and not something else? Drivers side, front only. No drops making it to the skid plates or the ground. 2011 LX, 118K miles. 0W20 for most of its life, recent switch to 5W-30 after the leak started.
Is the consensus still that timing cover leaks can be ignored safely? Has anyone had one of these leaks significantly progress over time such that addressing it was necessary?
The occasional hot oil smell irritates me, but probably not several thousand dollars worth of irritation...
Overview:
Above the AC compressor:
A little oil also a little higher and towards the drivers door, might just be getting flung around?
From the drivers wheel well, little bit of oil at bottom left near the bolt.
Bottom view, front of engine:
Looks like mine, has been going drama-free my entire length of ownership, over 100k miles. I just degrease it every or every other oil change and drive on.
I’d bet cleaning it up to the extent possible with simple spray-on engine degreaser would keep the smell away. I use the standard middle strength Gunk product for this.
Ditto. Might also be the valve cover along with the timing chain. I’ve had mine for probably 50-60k, maybe more. Dipstick is still full after 6-8k miles so I don’t worry about it. I’ve wiped some of it up a few times but it comes back
I have had a cam tower leak since basically the day I bought my truck too. It doesn’t consume any old and is moderately annoying so I just pretend it’s not a problem
Excellent, thanks all for the info!
woudln't the cam tower leak - do the "smoke out of the hood" after a drive (like it does on Tundra), and given it drips on the heatshield wouldnt you have to add oil?
My Tundra also has had the cam tower leak from day one - it is annoying and I do have to add a slight bit of oil.
I smell it sometimes but have never had to add oil
then yours is very minor
i have lived with it in my tundra for 8 years and def have to add oil just like most on tundra forum.
not a lot but due to it burning oil/leaking it - def needs the adding
yours sounds super minor
then yours is very minor
i have lived with it in my tundra for 8 years and def have to add oil just like most on tundra forum.
not a lot but due to it burning oil/leaking it - def needs the adding
yours sounds super minor
My strategy of pretending it’s not a problem clearly paying off
I intend on fixing it every year but keep managing to buy dumb stuff like bumpers and armor and wheels and tires and more tires. I’m literally the worst.
i live vicariously through you, my friendMy strategy of pretending it’s not a problem clearly paying off
I intend on fixing it every year but keep managing to buy dumb stuff like bumpers and armor and wheels and tires and more tires. I’m literally the worst.
luckily i have no money, beyond what i spend on fuel
in my younger years i would have bumpers, snorkel and 37s. You @TeCKis300 and @TLC2013 and @kreiten are definitely the inspiration
but in my advanced age - its cheaper to dream
mine has 151k and it looks like yours. i store my lx during the winter time. im planning on doing the repairs spring or summer time. also mine has a bad tensioner.
welcome
Minor yes, cam tower leak, also yes