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Is a timing cover covered by a power train warranty?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Squiggy Pop, Jul 27, 2020.

  1. Squiggy Pop

    Squiggy Pop Junior Member

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    I recently purchased a 2013 Prius from a small dealership that came with a 3-month, 3,000 mile powertrain warranty (according to their website this includes the engine, seals and gaskets, transmission, & differential). After taking possession I immediately took it to my local Toyota dealership for an inspection. There, they informed me that the timing cover had a small oil leak (in the quote it's listed as a "reseal" see attachment), and they recommended eventually getting it replaced. The service tech I worked with called the dealership to see if it was covered under the warranty. So my question is to anyone familiar with warranties and such, should a timing cover be included in this warranty? If so, what should I do to get the dealership to pay for the repair? And if it not, can you help me understand why?

    Bonus question: what could happen to my car if I don't fix this leak soon?
     

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  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Depends a lot on the severity of the leak.

    The timing chain cover is at the passenger end of the engine, goes pretty much from top to bottom. It's sealed with a form-in-place gasket, applied from a tube, then the cover reinstalled, and at least 20 bolts reinstalled and torqued. It's not trivial to do, not as bad as a head gasket replacement, but involved. The (beltless) drive pulley at the end of the shaft at that end of the engine needs to come off first.

    Dealerships have been charging $1500~2000 for this repair, fwiw.

    If possible, I would take a look yourself, try to assess how bad it is. From above you can shine a light down, and wand with a mirror might help some. The best view I think, is through the wheel well:

    1. Set parking brake solidly. If possible, also chock rear/driver's side wheel fore and aft. Solid rubber, purpose-built chocks are best.

    2. Partially loosen lug nuts on front/passenger side wheel. Just turn them slightly, not completely loose.

    3. Raise the front passenger corner (can be done with just the supplied scissor jack in a pinch).

    4. Remove the lug nuts and lift off the wheel.

    5. You'll need to pry off maybe 2 of the inner plastic panel fasteners, though not all. Then you can flex the panel out of the way for a good look at the middle and bottom of the timing chain cover. Get some light, take some pics and post, if possible.

    6. Reinstall everything in reverse order. Torque the lug nuts semi-firmly while the car's up, then when it's back on the ground go around the lug nuts in a star pattern, giving a firm push on each one. Assuming you're using the supplied wrench, you don't have to be really forceful, just lean on it a bit.

    upload_2020-7-27_12-26-49.png
     
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  3. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    I would bring it up with the dealer you bought it from before you have toyota fix it.

    They may say yea get it done we will cover it or they will fix it.
     
  4. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    For starters, the Toyota dealership may well have just seen a tiny bit of dirty oil on the side of the engine and was trying to make a bunch of money off of an unnecessary repair. Don't fall for it!!!

    As for business you bought car from, I'm certain there's a lengthy amount of weasel words in the fine print of your warranty... Something about their being coverage for the car being repaired if it doesn't work, but no coverage if the car is working ok and has a minor leak, cosmetic damage, wear&tear, etc... But try your best...

    And if you want to DIY this the first step is to clean the engine and make sure all the bolts are tightened a tiny bit... Then monitor it to determine how serious the leak is.
     
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  5. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    o_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_O
     
    #5 Grit, Jul 27, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2020
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    this a known issue, that is a non issue. look at the ground every morning where you park your car. you won't find any significant oil.
    but there are more important things to worry about on a 2013. start by keeping a close eye on the oil level. how many miles on her?
     
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  7. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Power train warranties typically don’t cover the engine or transmission. They’re a scam. You need to read the text of your warranty to find out what it covers.
     
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  8. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Nope. Probably would fall under the "wear and tear" exclusion.

    Extended warranties are designed and written to protect the issuing company from paying out. They do occasionally protect the buyer but the house always wins.

    GOOD LUCK!
     
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  9. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Don't!!
    And...consider switching dealerships...for several reasons.

    reason #1:
    THEY KNOW it's not covered. They fix cars for a living.
    I fix phones for a living, and I know it's not covered.

    reason #B
    Even if this WERE COVERED by the warranty, I would not have this work done because you may be performing open heart surgery on a patient that has an ugly chest tattoo.
    In other words.....this may NOT be a leak....and in fact....it almost certainly is NOT an active leak.

    ANYBODY with ANY passing familiarity with Priuses knows about the timing chain cover leak scam.
    The only leak that the dealer is concerned with is money leaking out of your wallet.......

    Read some other threads in this forum and decide for yourself.

    Good Luck!
     
  10. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Check the back on the engine on the passenger side for the oil pressure switch.
    Good possibility that is the leak. $20? part, 5-10 minutes replacement fix.
    Gunk the engine down, rinse it off. Drive it for 5-10 minutes so the engine heats up and dries the water.
    Check for a leak....
     
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  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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  12. Squiggy Pop

    Squiggy Pop Junior Member

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    She's got approx 106,800 miles
     
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  13. Squiggy Pop

    Squiggy Pop Junior Member

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    Yeah, that's why I def don't buy when they start trying to sell me on warranties. This is the most basic one included in each sale. On the website it lists "engine, seals & gaskets, transmission, and differential."
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    have you seen any oil on the ground?

    are you losing any oil?

    have you read anything about the egr problem?
     
  15. Squiggy Pop

    Squiggy Pop Junior Member

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    I live in a shared lot so it's a bit hard, but I left my car parked in the same spot for 2 days and did a comparison picture and i don't see any NEW spots.

    Since you mentioned it I looked up the EGR problem, but hadn't heard of it before. Is it related?
     
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  16. Squiggy Pop

    Squiggy Pop Junior Member

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    Thanks so much! I feel much less anxious about needing to address this. And thanks to your advice I have some solid action steps to monitor and assess the problem myself. Much appreciated!
     
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it is not related
     
  18. cnc97

    cnc97 Senior Member

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    Speaking as someone who has had the engine out of my Prius “a few” times, I noticed the other week when I had my inspection cover off for my t-stat change that there is a slight seepage around either the timing tensioner or the oil sending unit. It’s been two years since I did my engine out activities, and I have never lost enough oil between changes to worry about adding any. It’s one of those things that even if they pull the engine, and use the proper FIPG to reseal the timing cover, it’s likely to still leak, or start leaking again in the future. As long as there is not enough leakage to add oil between changes, just leave it alone. My car will likely still leak the day it goes onto it’s new owner, or final resting place, whatever the case may be.
     
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  19. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    So you pull your engine for fun? :)

    I believe most of the timing cover leaks are the oil pressure switch leaking.

     
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    what's more fun than pulling your engine...