There have been some threads about finding some GXs with leaking valve cover gaskets or some oil in spark plug wells.

I've noticed on my drivers side some ever so slight weeping on the gasket on the bottom of the camshaft Sub Assembly gasket. Dry as bone on passenger side. Like I said ever so slight so picture doesn't really show it here but might be something for you to check on yours. You can easily see through to this area on top of the front tires. I placed a red line in the area. I've also attached the schematic for what this piece is.

 

Not sure how I missed this or it just started but I notice quite a bit of wetness on the drive side valley of camshaft right around the fuel injectors. I was able to get a paper towel down there and it isn't fuel so likely valve cover gasket leak on drivers side. Harder to see on passenger side. I'll mention this as well.

Passenger side does look dry.

 

piece of cake to change this if thats whats wrong.
Just get a new valve cover and gasket.
ive done it on other cars, but not the GX, no reason why it would be any different.
check youtube videos also.
gl.

 

I still have 10 months of factory powertrain warranty so gonna let Lexus deal with it this time. In future I'd be up to doing it myself.

Pic on top.

 

This slight weeping on the side that can be seen via the wheel well exists below the Camshaft Sub Assembly. To fix this It would appear in diagram above will require removal of the cams. On this side it doesn't appear to be the valve cover. Far more in depth as I assume timing chain will need to be removed as well. If nothing else I get an acknowledgement that issue is there and get this more involved hardware weep fixed at a later date. The valve cover leak up on top though definitely this service visit.

 

If you search around this is known as the cam tower leak on the Tundras. If mine is indeed leaking there most are saying this is a $2500-3600 dealer repair due to the extensive teardown of motor to replace this RTV bead.

http://www.tundratalk.net/forums/tun...-w-pics-5.html

 

At Lexus dealer now... not exactly confidence inspiring when service writer says... out of warranty... I say still in powertrain warranty. He then needs to ask another guy how long that is. Then a conversation between the two about whether a water pump leak and valve cover leak would be under that. I say obviously components listed in warranty booklet. Then the $125 diagnostic charge I need to put on a CC until they confirm leaks. I pointed them out to service rep as well.

Somehow I am thinking this experience will renew my aversion to visiting dealers and doing all the work myself. They gave me an RX 350 as a loaner. Seems like a nice well equipped model.

 

good luck - keep us posted.

 

My "Service Advisor" was a 20 year old girl, who knew one word... "No".
She was horrible, and an embarrassment to the brand.

I had to talk to the service advisor, who was much better... and agreed with me on all points and made things right, for the most part.

 

I took my GX in on a Saturday as well. I wonder if the staff is "second string". I was content with the service I received. It is funny how they don't recognize a dash cam with a microphone and speak freely. My mechanic revved my truck several times to draw attention to my exhaust, I am cool with that. The lady that meet me and took my fob cranked the truck and said "daaamn" lol. With the new GX loaner I got, every time I started it I thought something isn't right, did it start?

It would be interesting what you may have found with a dash cam Acrad35751

 

They want to clean up valley leak and do a dye test. I'm fine with that as I will be putting 300-400 miles on it in the days ahead. They want to confirm it wasn't spilled oil from dealer that sold it to me. This will also be covered by warranty should gasket leaks be found. Far better experience today. I stopped by unannounced and spoke with a different rep.

 

I'd like to update this thread and state I don't think I have a problem. I haven't seen any further gasket weeping in over 1K miles and valley on top is dry so my valve cover gasket appears to be good as well. In the past prior to my ownership.....a former dealer service tech who changed my oil must have spilled oil into that area. I'd love to be able to trust someone to do my maintenance because I really don't enjoy it...it's not my hobby... but I want it done right and it does feel good to save a few bucks. That being said I have no problem paying for good service and work...in fact I'll pay a premium... I rarely search for the cheapest option because that almost always becomes the most expensive option in the long run due to quality issues. Just my opinion and the roads I have traveled in my life.. :-)

https://www.tundras.com/threads/cam-...se-read.20102/

 

The cam tower oil leak seal-bad issue convinced me to dump a 2013 sequoia and it’s a known issue on GX and anything else with Toyota v8. I read the posts here multiple times but don’t see an “All Clear” consensus by some golden Model Year. Is there such?

It does appear AIP issue was resolved via redesign and aftermarket fixes.

 

For whatever reason this is a rare issue on the 1UR-FE versus the 3UR-FE. On the latter IIRC I have heard stories up to about 2018 on 3UR-FE. Not saying it doesn't happen but on the 460 anyway not common at all.