Engine oil leak at timing belt

A stealership willing to cut the $7K repair bill by more than half is a good reason to not trust them. In general these leaks are common in Prius C and very minor, but a great way for a stealership to rip people off.

If you're DIY oriented deep clean the engine compartment and slightly tighten up the bolts on the belt cover and monitor the leak... If you aren't DIY hire an auto detailing service to deep clean your car and pay extra to have them clean the engine compartment. Let them know your problem with the leak and your desire to get everything as clean as possible so you can monitor the leak. Usually these leaks are way too minor to worry about spending lots of money on, which is why Toyota won't pay the stealership to do it.

 

this is a $1,600. repair at most dealerships. however, in 99.9% of cases, it does not need repair. are you seeing any oil on the ground after parked overnight?

 

This always gets me. People way out of mileage on warranty and expect Toyota to cover it. And why point the leak out when you were there for an oil change? That's not part of the service at our dealership. An oil change is an oil change with a top of the fluids and pressure check on the tires. Want more, do your 50 point inspection and pay for it.

Tech's don't work for free and i'm guessing the guy/gal posting this doesn't either.

 

Thanks you for having much higher standards and integrity at your delearships compared to others! I wish all the bad ones were shut down so the honest ones like yours can have way more business!

 

You had an oil change done. Did you pay for a multi point inspection? If not, the tech would not have seen the oil leak if not at drain plug or oil filter. If you are not seeing leaks on the ground where you park, probably a small gasket leak and nothing to worry about. Cover gaskets leak eventually; my jeeps valve covers leaked, my minivan timing belt cover leaked, Ford Fusion valve covers leaked...it happens. Gaskets going bad are not a defect; normal wear and tear...some gaskets require an engine removal to replace gaskets and that is labor, many hours of labor.

Z6201V ?

 

When I called around for a Gen2 valve cover gasket parts people had a hard time finding one. One remarked that's the first time I've ever heard someone order one. I myself was a bit perplexed of how something like that would fail too... I mean with American cars that don't have any kind of hybrid assist there's way more wear and tear... But a little Prius engine made no sense because Toyota rules engine reliability. My conclusion that it wasn't wear and tear, but caused by excess heat from a clogged cat that twice blew out the flange gasket where header pipe connects with cat.