Oil Leak? Belt Tensioner Failure?

[ExpeditionMan]

All,

Thoughts on this fluid leak? It's directly inboard and above the alternator, while roughly adjacent to the fan pulley. Only visible from underneath the drivers side looking up. I caught it while doing a once over for an oil change. The tensioner only has about 2.5 years / 30k miles on it. Think that's what is leaking? Almost looks like oil to me but it's impossible for me to get a closer look without pulling the front belt assembly/radiator.

No symptoms (belt squeal) or oil loss issues. Not pink so it can't be coolant.

 

[ExpeditionMan]

Bumping this thread for input. Truck is a 2013 LX570 with nearly 170k miles.

 

[bloc]

The timing chain cover is known to leak at the top RTV surface to the block and head, though more often on the driver’s side.. but passenger side happens too.

Without better pictures that would be my guess.

 

[ExpeditionMan]

The timing chain cover is known to leak at the top RTV surface to the block and head, though more often on the driver’s side.. but passenger side happens too.

Without better pictures that would be my guess.

Ugh don't tell me this, it's going to mean I have to dive in deep to check it out. Do you have a thread or any pictures showing the exact spot? Without removing the fan shroud it's nearly impossible for me to see anything in there.

 

[Sandroad]

Looks minor. Is it causing a problem?

 

[ExpeditionMan]

Looks minor. Is it causing a problem?

Not as far as I can tell. It's just unusual to see any fluid leaks on the truck.

 

[bloc]

Not as far as I can tell. It's just unusual to see any fluid leaks on the truck.

I wouldn’t worry about it. The nature of that leak is that it doesn’t get too bad.

Mine has had it on the drivers side for over 100k and I just degrease it every oil change. A few drops might end up on top of the skids but so far it has never hit the ground. I have the skill and tools to pull the whole timing cover but this leak just doesn’t justify that much work.

If that is your issue, I should say. But there aren’t many other places oil can come from to get to that spot.

 

[2021 LC200]

Do you run 0W20 or like 5W30? While it probably will not stop the leak it may slightly slow the deterioration.

 

[ExpeditionMan]

I wouldn’t worry about it. The nature of that leak is that it doesn’t get too bad.

Mine has had it on the drivers side for over 100k and I just degrease it every oil change. A few drops might end up on top of the skids but so far it has never hit the ground. I have the skill and tools to pull the whole timing cover but this leak just doesn’t justify that much work.

If that is your issue, I should say. But there aren’t many other places oil can come from to get to that spot.

The skids looked dry and so did everything else I can see. Almost thought it could be the accessoriy belt tensioner but no noise to suggest that.

Good idea to degrease and monitor. I will follow that protocol.

 

[ExpeditionMan]

Do you run 0W20 or like 5W30? While it probably will not stop the leak it may slightly slow the deterioration.

I run 5w30 full synthetic at 5,000 mile intervals.

 

[bigredmachine]

it looks like a small seep, i wouldnt worry about it untill it gets worse or you have to do other work that would either involve resealing the timing cover or the cam carriers. the tensioner should be a spring tensioner so no oil in there

 

[185]

Toyota does not care to repair for seeps which are different then leaks. You could switch to a thicker lube or try some HM oil if curious, but truth be told, unless you are dropping fluid level on the stick, leave it alone .

 

[bloc]

I personally cannot recommend high mileage oils. They typically use “seal swellers” to stop leaks and those work by chemically altering rubber parts to make them swell. This reduces their density and more importantly their durometer, which is basically how hard the rubber is. That will increase wear rate and may lead to other problems down the line.

Strange as it sounds 170k is not high mileage for a 200-series. I’d stick with standard synthetic 0-20 or 5-30

 

[ExpeditionMan]

I personally cannot recommend high mileage oils. They typically use “seal swellers” to stop leaks and those work by chemically altering rubber parts to make them swell. This reduces their density and more importantly their durometer, which is basically how hard the rubber is. That will increase wear rate and may lead to other problems down the line.

Strange as it sounds 170k is not high mileage for a 200-series. I’d stick with standard synthetic 0-20 or 5-30

I use QSFS 5w30 after deep diving this thread. Definitely odd to see this as the first leak on my truck.