oil leak - crank seal & timing chain tensioner - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

shadowtag88 · 02-20-2010, 11:52 AM

2005 corolla le automatic

i just took my car to a shop to get the brakes done and they noticed an oil leak at the crank seal and at the timing chain tensioner.

they said this was a common problem for this engine.
anyone else have this problem? and have estimates as to how much it is/was to fix.

thanks.
Fred

shadowtag88 · 02-22-2010, 10:09 AM

bumpppp

cor06 · 02-23-2010, 09:50 AM

I do not know about the crank case leak but the tensioner in my 06 corolla went bad and luckily it happened during the warranty period so they changed it for free.

the best estimae you can get from the dealership and then compare with the outside shops and get it repaired from a reliable place. if the tensioner is bad or making noise fix it before it damages other parts inside the engine.

bionictony · 02-25-2010, 06:33 PM

what is your mileage. post a picture of the leak.

PartsGuy · 03-05-2010, 08:17 AM

That is a very common leak on Corolla's, even on the previous body style. You can just replace the o-ring on the tensioner which is about $3, but for sometimes will leak again. I would replace the whole tensioner which will run you about $35 (depending on the dealer) and the crank seal should be about $7. I believe the labor will be about 1.5-2 hours.

I can get you the parts quite a bit cheaper, PM me if you're interested.

shadowtag88 · 03-11-2010, 09:40 PM

thanks for the responses.

i also noticed a leak...? on my own just inspecting today. i thought i heard some rattling but hopefully its from inside the cabin.. so i popped the hood to take a listen to see if it came from around the timing chain housing..

anyways, immediately behind the alternator when facing the car straight on, i noticed a build up of residue from what looks like a fresh oil leak.

what is immediately behind the alternator? right under the plastic cover.

thanks

spinfisher · 03-22-2010, 02:16 PM

i'VE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY '07. i NOTICE OIL LEAKING UNDER THE CAR , JUST A DROP OR TWO. i SAW A OIL BUILD U AT THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I THEN TOOK IT TO THE DEALER HE SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING , BROUGHT IT BACK 2 WEEKS LATER AND THE SAID IT WAS THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER O RING . SAID THEY REPAIRED IT STILL LEAKS I GUESS I BEING GOING BACK AGAIN , OF COURSE THE WARRANTY ENDED IN FEB. SPIN

spinfisher · 03-22-2010, 02:17 PM

Sorry For The Caps.

TrdSpeed140 · 03-22-2010, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadowtag88

anyways, immediately behind the alternator when facing the car straight on, i noticed a build up of residue from what looks like a fresh oil leak.

what is immediately behind the alternator? right under the plastic cover.

thanks

that sounds like the timing chain cover/front side of the valve cover area.
have you taken off the plastic cover to look for where the leak may be coming from?

Quote:

Originally Posted by spinfisher

i'VE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY '07. i NOTICE OIL LEAKING UNDER THE CAR , JUST A DROP OR TWO. i SAW A OIL BUILD U AT THE POWER STEERING PUMP. I THEN TOOK IT TO THE DEALER HE SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING , BROUGHT IT BACK 2 WEEKS LATER AND THE SAID IT WAS THE CAM CHAIN TENSIONER O RING . SAID THEY REPAIRED IT STILL LEAKS I GUESS I BEING GOING BACK AGAIN , OF COURSE THE WARRANTY ENDED IN FEB. SPIN

yea, really the only thing directly above the power steering pump is that chain tensioner. I noticed a small leak around it on my car too, not a huge issue though. It might be possible yours could be leaking from the valve cover or timing chain cover though, It's hard to say when I can't see it for myself, ya know.

03mooncorolla · 03-30-2010, 02:19 PM

Mine was done under the powertrain warranty. No cost as I was under the 100000km mark but only just.

teetee30344 · 10-13-2010, 09:46 AM

I took my 98 toyota corolla le to the dealership to get brakes adjusted on 10/11/2010 and was informed that the tensior seal was leaking oil onto the timing chain. i told them i've never noticed an oil leak in my garage and that it sounded like a superficial charge, especially for $161!!! I'd admit that my car is 12yrs old but wouldn't I have noticed oil leaking???

shadowtag88 · 10-13-2010, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teetee30344

I took my 98 toyota corolla le to the dealership to get brakes adjusted on 10/11/2010 and was informed that the tensior seal was leaking oil onto the timing chain. i told them i've never noticed an oil leak in my garage and that it sounded like a superficial charge, especially for $161!!! I'd admit that my car is 12yrs old but wouldn't I have noticed oil leaking???

honestly, not necessarily. a leak like that wont really drip on the ground so you probably wont notice it unless looking for a leak.

you can see it by noticing the scum line building up around the tensioner which is on the left side of the engine.