Trade-in or build out?

I have a 2016 4Runner Limited w/117k miles on it. Daily driver, runs great, only issue is oil seepage from the timing valve cover. Shop wants $5.6k to fix it. Switched out the leaking XREAS for Bilstein 5100s a couple years ago.

I've recently gotten pretty interested in overlanding, and I've been looking at a slew of upgrades (TRD Pro front end swap, bumper, winch, rock sliders, possible suspension upgrade, roof rack, etc.).

I'm curious as to y'all's thoughts on spending money on building out my current 4Runner vs trading it in on a newer 5th gen with fewer miles.

 

Aside from the timing issue, how does the rest of the truck look?

Any dents/dings?
Any rust?
What's the condition of the paint?
Is the electrical system in good shape?
How is the interior holding up? Any ripped seats, cracked panels? Broken interior items?
Is the suspension/tires in good shape?

If the truck "overall" is in great or even good condition, then I vote you get it fixed. I'm assuming the truck is paid off, so you'll have a new (ish) truck that's paid for. If you have the means, you could consider buying a new-used one with low miles for a decent price.


P.S. What EXACTLY is wrong? $5600 sounds like almost a new engine or major repairs. Have you taken it to more than one shop to get another opinion? Please tell me this quote wasn't from a stealership.

 

A timing cover leak does cost between $5000-8000 to replace. Nothing else needs to be wrong, it's very labor intensive. The whole front of the engine has to be opened to access it. 4runners are known for timing cover leaks.
Independent shops will also charge over 3k to do it.

 

No shit? I had no idea. Thanks for that info! I'll make sure I start saving money for when/if that ever happens.

 

I think it would depend on your trade in value against a newer SR5 or ORP. (Since you're thinking about several thousand in upgrades.)

 

+1. The number sounds really high no matter what, but it also depends on whats leaking.

If its one or both of the valve cover gaskets I dont htink its that bad of a job. There is a bunch of stuff that has to come off to get them clear (engine cover, air injection pumps, coil packs, , probably the upper plastic intake manifold and throttle assembly) - then you unbolt the offending valve cover replace the gasket and reassemble. Hopefully its only one of them and I don't know for sure but glancing at it appears the passenger side head could be done without even removing the intake manifold??

A leak from the timing chain cover would be more involved. The entire top end has to come apart, then you are also taking off the fan and all the accesory drives from the front of hte engine, removing the water pump and tstat, main pulley, etc before you can pull the cover... i.e. the kind of work that used to go into timing belt replacements. That's expensive but its hard to believe its 5k expensive. More like a couple grand I would think???


Can you ask the mechanic to be more specific?

 

Just curious - if it's seepage, I assume it's slow. Is this problem likely to get really bad soon, or do they typically seep for tens of thousands of miles or more?

 

Normally, the seepage is slow enough to just mess the area around the power steering pump and below it. Cars can go for over 100000 miles with the leak not addressed.
Mostly owners choose to ignore it if it does not drip or mess the driveway and is not losing a lot of oil between oil changes.

 

In light of that, if it were my 4Runner, I'd just do a little clean-up now and then and monitor it. I certainly wouldn't sink $3000-$5000 into it at this stage. Especially when I consider all the things that get removed, molested, and reinstalled. Potential for other problems increases.

 

Yes, the biggest issue with addressing the timing cover leak is that so much of the engine has to be opened to access it, chances are you are going to get another leak from a different area.
The exorbitant charges are due to the time it takes to pull the engine apart rather than the complexity of the job.

 

Maybe it is just me but for $5.6k I think I, in this order 1) do nothing and keep an eye on it and 2) seriously do some research into doing it myself. In my experience, things like this are really tedious to get to ... but not hard. Have to unbolt a bunch of stuff, replace what is up and bolt it back on. Before diving in, take about 15 minutes of video hitting the "before" state from every conceivable angle to use as a reference. Also take copious amounts of pictures as you go. If you go (2) think you get this done in a long weekend for < $100 in parts.

Edit: It is your car and you have $$ and skin in the game so you are going to be way more attentive and particular than anyone so likely end up with a better job anyway.

 

So the oil isn't making it to the ground, and it's not significant enough a leak to cause me to add more oil between oil changes. The mechanic did say it was going to get worse though.

I'm also in Southern California, which attributes to the high price. He did mention that the entire engine has to come out to do the work. I definitely don't have the time or energy to do that.

As far as the rest of the truck's condition, it's great. No other significant issues. One tiny dent in passenger side door, and the TPMS light is always on.

 

Is that quote by a dealer? The shop clearly does not want to do the job.

 

This could also be a leak from the timing cover plate gasket. A $12 part.
There is this small plate right behind the coolant lines next to the power steering motor.
It has 4 10mm bolts on it. The gasket inside it is known to fail. Clean the area with brake cleaner, remove the plate and replace the gasket. If this solves it, you are set. This was my leak.

 

I have a number of classic cars, my garage floor has multiple strategically placed oil-absorbing mats. As long as you monitor your oil level, leaks of almost any kind are not a big deal. Keep in mind, if it drips on rubber mounts they will quickly go, if it drips on exhaust you may get random smoke while driving and the car will stink of burning oil.

 

The first 2 photos are hard to see - but the 3rd photo looks like the exact same situation Lc200 described with that small cover plate.

I agree with the others who say to try that and then just monitor. Sounds like from the shop note they mean the timing chain cover on the front (not the valve cover). The high quote is a way of saying we don't want to do it. Its one of those PIA jobs where you spend 12 hours unbolting stuff to get at a $2 part that takes 10 minutes to swap...

(I'm exaggerating but you get the idea.....)

 

Overlanding. The new buzz word for putting a bunch of shit on your truck so that it looks cool. Anyway, you're never going to be able to replace it for the (relatively) little bit of money you might invest to get it correct. You have a solid platform, with low mileage. 117K ain't shit. Save your money and do a little bit at a time. It makes it all that much more fun and special when you can build something vs. buying something. But, get the basics fixed first before you start slapping on "overlanding" accessories.

 

One can buy a lot of oil for 5K, and have the benefit of the 4R rustproofing itself as you drive.

 

Keep it 100%. That is not an oil leak, it's weeping. Toyotas are notorious for timing cover weeps and leaks. Our 2005 Corolla has a leak-1 drop per day-from the timing cover and it's been doing that for 15 years and over 180K miles. Has not gotten any worse. I bought a $15 oil mat and have never replaced it.

It could weep at that pace for the next 300,000 miles. No need to fix it. If you don't like the look of it, wash the engine once a year. It would be ludicrous to spend any amount of money on that.

 

Agreed. Sounds like that shop gave you an answer looking for a problem.

 

Thanks everyone. I was already leaning toward just building out rather than trading in, I love the one I've got. Y'all's replies just made me feel more confident doing it.

 

If you saw the seepage from the valve covers on my 4th Gen and saw how many reliable miles it has on it your fears would be assuage. Just keep an eye on your levels and whether or not it gets worse

 

Straight up-trading in a vehicle for this is like burning your house down because you have a loose roof tile. Build and enjoy it!