In the same vein as the timing cover leaks on the Toyota and Lexus 3.5L V6 2GR-FE, the Toyota Prius is prone to oil leaks from the timing cover where the cylinder head, engine block and timing cover all meet. Sealed by a thin layer of fix-in-place gasket (FIPG), the timing cover protects the timing chain (that which runs the camshafts in time with the crankshaft) and the oil pump. The leak starts on the back of the engine about midway down the timing chain cover. Here’s the timing cover off of the car with the leak spot indicated:
Prius Timing Cover Leak
The only solution to the leak is to remove the timing cover, clean it of old epoxy, apply new epoxy and resecure the cover. It’s important to reseal the timing cover with Toyota genuine FIPG (for the oil sealing portion) and Toyota genuine 1282B (for the coolant sealing portions). Removing the cover is a big job for the layperson:
Prius Timing Cover Removed
As Eden Prairie and Chanhassen’s independent Toyota and Lexus repair shop we see this issue 2nd generation (2004-2009) Prius fairly often and keep the appropriate seals in stock to reduce vehicle downtime. We’re always happy to diagnose this issue at no charge, so if you think you’ve got a timing cover leak on your Toyota Prius give us a call at (952)426-4798 today!
Is it a timing belt or chain? Seems a belt would be damaged by oil and a chain would like oil.
The 2001-2009 Prius has chain driven camshafts and belt driven water pump. In some cases the timing cover, that which covers up the chain and keeps the oil in, leaks oil down onto the crank pulley and onto the water pump drive belt.