Went to check on the coolant and oil level this morning and I saw what looks like a bit of oil weeping on the cam cover gasket, I hadn't noticed this before so not sure how long it's been weeping

Here are some images

This is what first got my attention







I placed my finger under the hole where the oil was gathering, and see it's oily under it too



Looks like it's all along to the other end













I looked up the side and noticed it look like it's a bit drier there and no or little oil leak at the sides,  maybe just running along the bottom







After checking the oil and coolant both hadn't moved up or down so don't think there is any contamination also the coolant still has that pinky anti freeze colour with no sign of mayonnaise in the header tank

Any opinion if I should be replacing the gasket and if yes is there something I should be looking out for when doing the work?

 Many thanks

Nice easy job.
Been some issues with blue coloured gaskets.
Go oem. Not that expensive.
Remove old and clean groove. Clean mating surface.

Could just be old and has let go if nothing else is cause for concern.
Those in the know would be better equipped to answer. A pic of the inside when the cover is off will help others advise. Clean and golden coloured is good.

after seeing this video:

https://youtu.be/3G5ACiKzvGk

it looks easy enough so will see if I can get hold of an OEM gaskit by this weekend and if it's not raining I'll hyave a go, and torque the bolts to 10Nm

Wasn't sure there was a torque setting. Just recall. Finger tight and a wee nip.

1/4 1/2 a turn. Not much at all.

Quote from: Mollydog on May 10, 2022, 21:00after seeing this video:

https://youtu.be/3G5ACiKzvGk

it looks easy enough so will see if I can get hold of an OEM gaskit by this weekend and if it's not raining I'll hyave a go, and torque the bolts to 10Nm

TCB stock the gasket and as @Ardent says, not expensive. I did mine last week and made use of the VVT how to guide for help https://www.mr2roc.org/forum/index.php?topic=66483.0

I have a range of torque wrenches 1/2, 3/8 and 1/4

This 1/4 comes in hands for low torque setting 2Nm to 24Nm







https://youtu.be/B8a4BdSHFAE

https://youtu.be/42VWYgP4mTU

If I know the torque setting I like to set it, if I don't know then I'll play it by ear, my late father who used to do all his own maintenance on all his car's, and over all those years he never saw a torque wrench in his life, and I must say nothing ever fell off

he never opened up an engine or major things like that but general run of home maintenance

I'm impressed.

I like things torqued correctly. Never seen a low torque, torque wrench like that.

Do I "need", no. Want? Yes.

My biggest weakness is buying tools thinking I might eventually find a use for them, I'm sure I have lots of tools that have maybe seen one time use, as I explain to my (understanding) wife, these tools are my toys

I have a correction to make

I made an error, I have two 1/2 Inch torque wrenches and one 1/3 Inch torque wrench (the one above), shows how regular these are needed

This one is a 1/2 inch 0 - 100Nm digital torque wrench





And this one is the analog 1/2 inch 28Nm - 210Nm

Phoned Mr T this morning and placed an order for the gasket, £20 and a few Penney's, it should be arriving at my local Mr T this Friday morning, here's hoping no rain this weekend

Stop showing those wrenches please, I have one but now I want a small one like yours !!

Quote from: TheTigerUK on May 11, 2022, 09:15Stop showing those wrenches please, I have one but now I want a small one like yours !!

Never heard of anybody wanting a small one before.

Quote from: 1979scotte on May 11, 2022, 10:09Never heard of anybody wanting a small one before.

You obviously havent had the struggle and strain of living with and using a big one !!

So maybe you are now thinking you would like a / newer / larger/ smaller/ Torque Wrench, this may help or confuse:

https://viewer.ipaper.io/sna-europe/norbar/norbar-2022-torque-wrench-catalogue/?page=1

I've got two torque wrenches, second one was bought for bicycle repairs (Lifeline branded, about £25) but it's been brilliant for smaller jobs on the car.

Also got the full fat one for wheel bolts, suspension etc. Between the two of them can't go wrong.

As others have said, nice easy job on the car. Make sure you buy some RTV sealant and apply it to the two areas where the bolts alone don't apply enough force to prevent a weep (should be pictured on the guide).

It was rather hot this Saturday morning, I was thinking of leaving changing the gasket for Sunday, I'm pleased I didn't as Sunday was a wet and cold day,

I've added two videos of my replacing the gasket, this isn't a tutorial, it just shows what I did to replace the gasket, I edited out all the slow time and showing around 95% of the work involved

The tools I used were

10mm 1/3 deep socket
10mm 1/3 ordinary socket
100mm 1/3 extended bar
10mm ratchet spanner
14mm 1/2 deep socket
Flat screwdriver
Long nose pliers
mole-grips
1/4 impact driver
1/2 impact driver
1/3 ratchet
1/3 torque wrench
1/2 torque wrench
Rubber malet

+++

On the minimum, this task can be done with less tools, a
10mm spanner (or socket)
14mm spanner (or socket)
10mm socket
Normal or long nose pliers  and you will be able to do the complete job

+++

Materials

Toyota OEM gasket @£20.69
RTV gasket seal @£3.99

Time taken from taking off the steady bar and refitting it, just over an hour, a good few bit of time was taken swapping over tools  from the bench and back to the car and stopping drinking (lots) of water, it was a very hot day so I would think going steady, this job could be done in around 30 to 40 minutes

I'm adding two video clips, one from the left side of the car and the other from behind me on the right side of the car, as I mentioned this isn't a tutorial, it just shows the process I took

https://youtu.be/qAMD222pLx0


https://youtu.be/1zdIrzEjrzg

Great job...and good videos too!