Oil Leak-Where Exactly is this coming from?

2011 Limited. Can anyone tell me where this oil leak is coming from? I thought valve cover gaskets were rubber and head gaskets were metal. This looks like tan sealant/gasket/rtv material at seam. First pic is rear passenger side. Second is front driver side of engine.

 

Your best bet would to hit everything with some engine degreaser and a rag to clean it all up. Then when you do, run it and watch for where it originates. That will tell you a lot more than the internet guess and check method. It's really hard to tell location with everything caked like that because wind can take leaks and put them in areas completely unrelated.

 

The areas circled are where it's leaking, if it's just valve covers I am not concerned. If it's leaking oil at the head gasket-that's a problem. I didn't know where Toyota used tan sealant on this engine-between valve covers and head, head and block? I am not sure what area is circled exactly.

 

Cam towers?

 

This is the area it's leaking. Looks like top part of cylinder head.

 

My buddy has a 2014 sr5 and he also have the same issue with an oil leak that he doesn't know where its coming from. He cleaned the area very well and degreased it, but is too far up that he can't see it. Its a slow leak but he is traying to get it fixed before it gets worse overtime.

 

I think @Slopemaster nailed it. Cam tower, search the tundra forum and you will learn all about it on the 5.7l engine...

 

I wonder how hard is to do the job, DIY or pay for a mechanic to do it.

 

I was familiar with that issue, didn't know the 4.0L had them as well.

 

More than likely, not something an average DIY'r would want to tackle.

 

Not too common from what I have seen.

 

I only mentioned it because I had the infamous cam tower leak on my 5.7 in my Sequoia. I’ve never heard of this issue on the 5th Gen. But there’s always a first.

Thank god it was still under warranty. It took the dealership tech almost a week to repair. They basically had to tear the engine down. It’s been fine ever since. Personally, I wouldn’t want to take on this task and I’m a mechanic.

 

I don't blame you.

 

valve cover gasket.

 

The valve cover is actually above the leak. It's the black seam above the red circle in the first pic.

 

Yep, the cam tower. That’s a big job.

 

personally, I'd just leave it be and keep it topped off accordingly.The oil won't hurt anything it'll just look nasty around the leak. How many miles on your 2011?

 

And both sides.

If its not bad I would go with the check and fill every so often unless you need to keep it for years to come.

 

Lots-244K. I will just clean it off every so often.

 

A little oil makes a big mess, I bet you only leaked a tablespoon or so. At 244K, I wouldn't worry about it.