I had an oil change and tire rotation done today, 9/28/24, at my local dealership on my 2013 prius C with 156,312 miles. The last oil change was done on 3/9/2024 at 152,160 miiles. About a month ago I checked the oil level and it was perfect. I didn't notice any difference since the last oil change. After the service, the dealership sent me the following text messages and images. oil leak from rear of engine possible rear main seal potential high cost repair diagnose oil leakage ((possible timing chain cover )) $199 diagnosis recommend reseal timing chain cover ((due to oil leaking)) I just paid for the oil change and took my car. My plan is to check the oil level regularly and if it doesn't drop, take the vehicle to an independent mechanic at it's next oil change and ask about it. Maybe I shouldn't even tell them about it and see if they identify it as an issue without putting it in their head. I have never noticed any oil on the ground under the vehicle or any change in the oil level on the dipstick between oil changes for the entire life of the vehicle. Any thoughts about the pictures or dealership's recommendations. I don't think it looks that bad for an 11 year old car with over 150,000 miles on it, but I am no expert.
it's very common to have some seepage. it is a weak point in toyotas design. most here don't worry about it, but it's a nice cash cow for dealers
Around here it is $1200 or more for a timing chain cover seepage. I would have your mechanic clean it up and then check back at the next oil change for a visual.
Seepage on an older car is usually okay to ignore. When it progresses to something you could fairly call a 'leak' with a measurable loss rate? That's when action is required- but it might never get that bad. I think you're on the right track.
The dealership reported an insignificant oil leak on my last visit with my 2012 Prius c, with an expensive repair quote that I put off. Today I read about grenading GR86 and Subaru BRZ engines due to Toyota using RTV instead of actual gaskets in cars dating all the way back to 2013, resulting in a class action lawsuit. Would our situation be from the same manufacturing design issue?
The 86 & BRZ have a completely different engine than your Prius. The most common "insignificant oil leak on a 2012 Prius" is the timing cover, and that is an extremely slow leak on most. I see nothing to worry about.
The first pic looks to be at the engine/transaxle junction, which is at the opposite end from the timing chain cover. Not sure where the second pic is. If you can see for yourself, say roll it up on ramps, or floor jack and safety stands, pull the engine undercover, you’ll be in a better position to assess what they’re telling you. Even just looking down the timing chain end of the engine, with a good light, you get some idea of that claims validity. Raise front right corner, remove that wheel, pry off a few of the plastic liner fasteners and flex it out of the way, you’re looking at the bottom of the timing chain cover. my take: the oil in the pictures looks relatively minor, could be the oil pan, or oil pressure sensor or timing chain tensioner. Maybe. Or a leaking valve cover. Again, it’s at the opposite end of engine from timing cover.
It is interesting that one of the spots is near the transaxle. An independent shop did a transmission fluid drain and fill a few months ago and their shop was very dirty. I don’t expect a shop to be very clean, but this was approaching hoarder levels of messy. I didn’t notice any symptoms of an improper transmission fill, but I wonder if dirty hands, tools or rags touched that area without cleaning up. I don’t think that is the cause, as they didn’t do an oil change and the wet spot seems like a more natural pattern. The oil on the dipstick has always been a clean amber color. I don’t notice any amber hue on the photo, which makes me think there has not been any significant amount of oil leaking recently. Could it be from the dealer not cleaning up after themselves after an oil change 6 months ago?
