Hi all --
I just really need some advice. I've got an '01 SR5 and recently had a bad oil leak repaired which apparently was a cam seal issue. Mechanic did the timing belt and water pump too. While he's in there doing the seal he finds some damage to the cam and cam cap (metal has accumulated on the cap and some lines are gouged into the cam) and says the entire head and cam should be replaced. Don't think there is a problem with the actual head but he says they get replaced as one unit. Does this sound right? Can the cam be replaced separately from the head?
The engine was running fine even with the oil leak and I tried my hardest to watch the oil level and maintain that while waiting to get in for repairs. I don't really want to get rid of my truck and he is advising me to either get rid of it, do the head job ($3000) or get a reman engine ($7500). If only I lived close to my cousin that builds engines! I live in an area where geography determines prices and they are high...

Any thoughts are much appreciated thanks!

 

I don't know the answer to your question, but with those options I would definitely get a second opinion.

 

According to the 2000 Tacoma FSM if the cam bearings are damaged it says to replace the bearings and the head. Not real sure but I do think the lower bearing material is cast into the head.

Not sure just what engine you have.

So your truck sits there apart waiting for your decision .

He did stop on the timing belt when he saw the cam bearing damage.

The price one pays living in interesting places.As those prices do seem rather on the high side.

 

I don't know the answer to whether or not the head needs to be removed/replaced, but if it ran fine and just leaked why not just have the guy put it back together and keep on truckin.

I wouldn't be surprised if the mechanic buggered up the cam while replacing the seal and is now trying to charge you for his mistake.

 

Thanks guys--

The engine is a 3.4L V6. Here's pics of the cam if I did it right:





My cousin builds race car engines and said the same thing : "if it ran fine and just leaked why not just have the guy put it back together and keep on truckin."

Methinks that is likely what I'll do; just have him clean the metal off that cap and just put her back together. Then watch the oil level like a hawk and listen for any funny sounds...

 

Thing is it would be a loss of oil pressure !!!

there would be no real loss of oil so the oil pressure gauge would be your only warning of things getting worse.