Timing Chain Tensioner "O" Ring Under Warranty?

Good info and thanks for posting. I suspect this is a common issue on Gen3's that most never find since it physically is tough to see. I have a minor leak in this area, but, way past any warranty. For those that are close to their warranty expiring, this is a must get inspected area before it does.

 

That is one of the better written receipts that I have seen. Based on his description, it sounds like the job was done correctly and all applicable o-rings and gaskets were replaced. The repair manual wants you to pull the engine for the repair, but its definitely do-able with the engine in the car.

I re-checked my car tonight and only found a small film of oil on the underside of my timing chain tensioner. So, I set the engine to TDC and removed the chain tensioner. The chain tensioner gasket is actually a metal gasket with a rubber coating. My old gasket was felt a lot "harder" than the new one, but I cannot say with certainty that it had truly failed.

I then reset-ed the tensioner, install the new gasket and reinstalled the nuts. I turned the crank counter-clock-wise slightly to tighten the chain, but that did not release the plunger. So I turned the crank clock-wise by about 90-deg and I heard a very faint click. Once that was heard, I used my Snap-on scanner and put the engine into inspection mode, then started the car and verified operation. Everything worked out.

If you're planning to do this job, the easiest way to reach the tensioner is from the pass/front wheel well. I would remove the splash guard and reach in. There is no need to remove the cowl or even the underbody cover. The top nut needs a deep 10mm and the bottom nut needs a short 10mm combo wrench.

 

Do we know what retail/non warranty pricing is on this repair, with the info you provided? My dealer just told me $2k to fix this! I am at 76k miles, 5 yrs and 3 months of ownership. So pissed.

 

Yeah just out of warranty. Any possibility of good will? Consider my comments in your other thread posting: the big question:

Yes, dealer told you how much to fix, but get his opinion, and maybe an independent second opinion, and take a look at it for yourself, to determine: how necessary is it to jump on it? And keep in mind, it's an awkward tricky job. The form-in-place gasket application and the cover was installed at the factory before the engine was installed. It's debatable if they can do better now, without pulling the engine.

 

Did replacing the tensioner gasket fix the leak? I have two 2014 Prius is leaking in this exact spot.

 

I thought it did, but the seep eventually came back. I think it is a combination of the timing cover and the oil pressure switch which are both seeping.

 

How do you set the engine to top dead center if there is no pulley outside the engine like in Corolla? How do you turn the crankshaft? Can you turn it from the top of the engine after removing the valve cover?

 

There is a crankshaft pulley.

 

has anyone determied how necessary this repair is? if the oil level isn't visibly changing, is it worth 2k to repair?