Poll-Have you had the dreaded cam tower leak?

[2001LC]

Hello fellow mud'ers, my first post in the 200 section.

Anyone know if Toyota is extending this $1,200 credit and/or repair to those past the 60K miles warranty?

It been said; there's a $1K fine in Japan for leaks that hit the ground. Is that true?

I hate leaks! 20 HR shop time would take me 40hrs.

 

[I6turbo]

2008 model, 89,300 miles, bone dry.

Also, minor leaks like this will take a tablespoon of oil over thousands of miles and make it look like a lot of volume, but it isn't.

 

[2001LC]

Can someone give me some guidance on easiest way to thoroughly inspected for this, on a cold snowy day in a parking lot ?

I'll be armed with a flashlight, mirror and iphone.

 

[Emcd]

Are you crossing over to the 200 Series? I can bring my LX 570 down to you to look at, if that helps.

 

[2001LC]

That would be cool if you've the time today or tomorrow.

Not exactly crossing over, more like sticking my toes in the water.

 

[2001LC]

My neighbor is doing a lift on his 2014 Tundra w/5.7L w/30K miles on the clock. While working on RH UCA, he notice some oil at rear of RH head. He asked me to take a look. I believe it to be what's referred to in the 200, as Cam Towel leak (Camshaft housing RH)

Does this look like a Cam Tower leak to you?

Gasket of head cover looks dry, but some oil has gone up to it (or down from it). I suppose a good cleaning and reinspect would be next step, once off jack stands. But I'm 90 % sure it cam tower leak.

 

[TonyP]

Yes, looks like it to me.

 

[2001LC]

Thanks @TonyP I'll pass on the info.

Do you know, are Tundra and 200 series 5.7L engine assembled at same plant?
If no, it would indicate this is not issue of just some guy on assembly line with oily figures (I read that somewhere)!

 

[TonyP]

Thanks @TonyP I'll pass on the info.

Do you know, are Tundra and 200 series 5.7L engine assembled at same plant?
If no, it would indicate this is not issue of just some guy on assembly line with oily figures (I read that somewhere)!

Allegedly all 3URs were built in Texas but there's been some conflicting info on that. They might be considering LC/LXs (which are assembled in Japan) have had the leak as well as Tundras which are assembled in Texas. But it could also be an issue in the assembly process itself which can occur in multiple plants.

 

[bloc]

I did the job myself over two weekends and it cost me $410. It’s not hard, it’s simple unbolting. No timing to adjust or anything like that, but unless you are a proven guy that can clean and gasket things and don’t have leaks afterward, I’d let someone else do it.

Did the timing cover R&R require removing the oil pan?

Pretty sure my chain cover is responsible for the oil leak I have. And of course I just put a water pump onto it. So far no cam tower issues at 108k

 

[Traskew3]

I heard for this complex repair , they pull the motor out. Anyone else hear this?

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

I heard for this complex repair , they pull the motor out. Anyone else hear this?

No, no one pulls the motor out, including Toyota. It’s not complex in terms of engine work. Basically it’s a ton of unbolting, cleaning, laying down FPIK, and reassembling.

That said, only experience gear heads should attempt. If you’ve never done drivetrain work, I’d let someone else do the work.

 

[lxid]

This thread popped up on my news feed. Interesting how many tundras are having this problem.

8/15 Tundras on lot at dealership have cam tower leak

 

[Haggis]

That is what it looked like on my 200, almost exactly.

 

[Big Timber]

So if you haven't hit 5 years or 60k miles yet, will they cover fixing (I'm not the original owner. I thought the warranties were transferable, but I can't remember)? Gotta go look now on Tundra and 200.

 

[2001LC]

Factory warranties travel with VIN #.

 

[Big Timber]

Both vehicles, both sides dry as a bone and clean as a whistle. Both around 40,000 miles.

 

[Cruisin911]

Given that most of those leaks shown in the dealership photos are of the drivers side front section, I am willing to bet that more than a few of them are due to sloppy oil change refill. Remember, that specific section is directly below the filler neck. Id be curious to see if/when the leak comes back after wiping up that residue. Another point to add is that there also appears to be oil residue on the heat shield directly below the filler as well.

 

[bryson]

Given that most of those leaks shown in the dealership photos are of the drivers side front section, I am willing to bet that more than a few of them are due to sloppy oil change refill. Remember, that specific section is directly below the filler neck. Id be curious to see if/when the leak comes back after wiping up that residue. Another point to add is that there also appears to be oil residue on the heat shield directly below the filler as well.

I might be looking at it wrong, but when comparing the dealer photos to others online with more of the truck in view for reference, it looks to me like they are almost all on the rear passenger side (RH side). The residue on the heat shield looks to be dripping off of the extension of the block directly below the cam cradle itself, which makes sense for a cam cradle leak.

 

[Broseph]

All dry.