Guess the Leak, Covid Edition

[eleven14]

Hey all, I was installing skidplates the other day and noticed some oil reside on the underside of the engine and finally got back around to tracing the leak back. Below are a few photos, but can y'all confirm this is likely a valve cover gasket leak?

It's a V6 and the leak is on the passenger side. Driver's side is dry.

For orientation, you can see the yellow oil dipstick on the left side of the shot:

And a detail shot below the valve cover, it's pooling below and has made it's way to the underside of the engine but isn't enough that I've seen any drips on the garage floor or smell of burning oil:

If it's the valve cover, I plan on re-torquing (assuming I can find the factory specs), cleaning it up and monitoring. Any other thoughts?

Thanks in advance

 

[montijo505]

The valve cover gaskets are pretty inexpensive. It's not too hard of a job if you're so inclined. Follow this write-up.

V6 Valve cover gasket replacement - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum

And buy the gaskets here

Toyota Parts | Toyota Online Parts | Genuine Toyota Parts | Toyota Parts Online

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[MikeinNH67]

The gaskets become hard over time and can seep. Not a terrible job but it sometimes is tough getting the bolts out without breaking them plus removing a hardened seal.

 

[eleven14]

Thanks for the replies and appreciate the links. Makes me feel better about it being valve cover gaskets and NOT a timing chain cover leak (which seems like a thing and is a higher level of debauchery).

I'm going to give that one bolt a 1/4 turn, clean up the area and monitor but will eventually remove and replace both sides if it persists. And hear ya, seems like all the bolts on my truck are semi-seized and literally every brittle plastic clip snaps if you look at it wrong.

 

[81runner]

Another thing you might want to look into, check the o-ring at the top of the dipstick. I've been fooled into think my valve cover gaskets were leaking a few months after they were replaced. Turned out it was really just the o-ring letting oil by when I was off road. Just my .02, good luck!