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Timing Chain Tensioner "O" Ring Under Warranty?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Xterra72, Mar 4, 2016.

  1. Xterra72

    Xterra72 Senior Member

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    I have a Prius 2013 and at 55k, I had my oil change.

    My independent shop noticed that one of my o ring tensioner was leaking and needs to be repaired.

    Mechanic says it's a very slow leak and that it can be repaired on my next 5k oil change visit.

    I called the dealer and they will take a look at it this morning before I get it over 60k+ and no longer covered under warranty.

    I guess the question is are these O Ring tensioners a common problem and are these usually covered under the powertrain warranty?

    Any response or advise is greatly appreciated.

    Thank you
     
  2. Maroon

    Maroon Member

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    I think you're being scammed. What the heck is an "o ring tensioner"? Did they top off your blinker fluid, too? Seriously, we need more info.
     
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  3. mrstop

    mrstop PWR Mode

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    I think the o-ring tensioner is connected to the muffler bearing...

    Seriously though, I have never heard of that. Maybe it's the timing belt tensioner o-ring? Sounds like it may be fairly common on Toyota's? toyota timing chain tensioner o-ring replacement - Google Search

    I think there are some threads on timing cover leaks that you might want to search.
     
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  4. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    Mine just started seeping from the same area, but I am at 125k. FYI- the newer 1.8s use a chain tensioner gasket, but the older ones had an o-ring that was built into the tensioner assembly.

    It's difficult to tell whether the leak is from the timing chain cam tensioner gasket versus the cover itself. I am going to replace the gasket on mine and see if the seep is resolved.
     
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  5. Xterra72

    Xterra72 Senior Member

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    Update:

    I was at the dealer and there is definitely a leak.

    There is more to it than what my mechanic told me.

    Glad I brought it to the dealer because it will be covered under warranty.

    The parts will come in this Monday and I will be taking the car back on Tuesday for the dealer to repair.

    Once I get the invoice, I will post it on here.

    Stay tuned.
     
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  6. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    could be the timing chain tensioner o-ring that he's talking about. I'll check mine and let you guys know.

    If this is what you're talking about, it does look like it has a gasket, I'm not sure if it has an o-ring in the shaft area but I'm sure there might be one with it. It's held on by 2 10mm bolts, and you will have to remove it from the bottom to replace the o-ring and the gasket if its bad. Make sure when you are replacing it and have it installed, you have to crank the crank pulley bolt until it clicks into place so that the chain tensioner is holding the timing chain in place.
     

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    #6 NutzAboutBolts, Mar 4, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 4, 2016
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  7. Xterra72

    Xterra72 Senior Member

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    Once I get the repair done, it will be more obvious but I think you're the closest one to pinning down my problem area.

    Thank you.
     
  8. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    if it is, then it is a common part that gets replaced. I've done quite a few of these before on different toyota vehicles. You can check the video we did on the Toyota Corolla.
     
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  9. Xterra72

    Xterra72 Senior Member

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    Funny you mentioned that but when I did a search, it was all Corollas and other Toyota models, really no hits on Prius.

    Am I the only one with this problem on a 2013 Prius?

    I know they were more common on the older Prius.
     
  10. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    Yeah at 55k, that's not common, but defects does happen. I've worked on Camry, and Scion's that had low mileage with leaks there. I don't know about Prius though.
     
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    why does the timing chain need tensioning? never heard of it being done.
     
  12. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    that's how it gets rid of all the chain slack, its like the timing belt tensioner, but this is for the chain.
     
  13. Xterra72

    Xterra72 Senior Member

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    So I spoke to another mechanic in Berkeley, CA and there are ar least two.

    One is the easy one which is the timing chain o ring tensioner.

    There is the other one which had something to do with the head gasket and the mechanic I spoke to recommended that it is probably best to leave this one alone. As he called it, "it's open heart surgery" and it can do more harm than good.

    @NutzAboutBolts , can you clarify what I'm talking about here.

    I had to get to work so not sure which one they are repairing. I will try to find out on Tuesday.
     
  14. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    from the 2010 engine diagram I've seen, I only saw one timing chain tensioner... can he specify where the other one is at and take pictures to show us?

    Here is the engine diagram of all the parts. Not sure which one he's talking about.
    2010 Toyota Prius Parts -
    #17 is the timing chain tensioner.
     
    #14 NutzAboutBolts, Mar 4, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 4, 2016
  15. Xterra72

    Xterra72 Senior Member

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    Thanks for the diagram @NutzAboutBolts.

    This will help when I go back on Tuesday and figure out exactly what they are fixing.
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how often does the chain slack need taking up? never heard of anyone doing it.
     
  17. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    no problem, keep us updated. Maybe others have this problem as well and it'll help them in the future.

    it's not the slack that is the problem, but the o-ring over time becomes flatten and oil leaks out from it. Rubber overtime get's old and get broken down by the oil and so it tends to leak out from the o-ring.
     
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  18. Xterra72

    Xterra72 Senior Member

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    Thanks for all your input. @NutzAboutBolts , You're the only one that's backing me up here. First couple of posts to my thread were negative, thinking I was getting scammed.
     
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  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i understand the problem, i'm just wondering why it's there in the first place, if the chain never needs deslackening.
     
  20. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    the chain does need deslacking... its just a chain, it needs the chain tensioner to get rid of any slacks in the chain or else it'll run like crap lol. Unless I'm confused of what you were asking... :(
     
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