Cam seals or half moons leaking?

Drip coming from back left head. Pic to show.Note drip of oil on top them drops on headgasket then to front of tranny then drops on rack and pinion.

 

Maybe, but I would see if it was coming from higher up, like the valve cover gasket.

 

I forgot to mention I did the covers already but like a dumb ass i forgot to do the cam and moon seals.I just got her in March so you know.

 

Bump

 

I had to replace both cam seals. PITA but worth it to stop that burned oil smell. I was able to remove both mine without removing the valve cover which had new gaskets already.

 

I think iam going to just change them all out.

 

Maybe a stupid question, but I don't have a Chilton's/Haynes book yet for a 2002 Tacoma, I have a Haynes manual for 1995-2000 Tacoma, 4-runner 1996-2000 and T-100 1993-1998. I just happened to have the Haynes manual before I bought my Yota.
My question is where are both cam seals? I am about to do the valve cover gaskets after I fix my cv-axle problem. It has a small seep coming from the front drivers side valve cover and small seep on the passenger side rear valve cover. While I am replacing them I might as well replace both cam seals. I am thinking about just saving and doing the valve cover gaskets, cam seals, and timing belt/water pump kit all at the same time.

 

Black plugs with the strap to hold them in. Rear of valve cover.

 

So you guys are saying it's the seals in the rear.Thanks for the pic.

 

I changed my VC gaskets first and still had a leak. Went back in and replaced the half moons and sealed the crap out of it. Still had a drip on the exhaust that caused a smell. Cam seals fix MY problem. Yours might be fine.
For me, if there is a part that is hardest to change.......... that's going to be it.

 

Thank you. I'll probably go ahead and do them when I do the valve covers.

 

I have a little bit of oil residue on my passenger side rear of the motor and was advised to do the valve covers and another member said to do the cam seals as well. I believe I have a bad seal where the second picture indicates. Are those the "half moons" everyone talks about and the cam seal plugs are the fulls?

 

You can replace the cam plugs without removing the valve covers????

 

Some local shop worked on mine right after I got it and left the retaining bracket off. I guess they thought it wasn't necessary. The full moon eventually popped out. When that happens you loose about 1 qt every 10 miles. I had to make a trip to the junkyard to get the retainer bracket and pop an extra moon that I had from the donor engine to stop the leak. One of the reasons I... So if you can get them out, new ones can be installed without the valve cover being removed. It is a pain though.

 

this is the first i have ever heard of this???
... oops did not read thru entire postings ...
still have not heard of it before

 

Your talking about the cam plugs? Not the half moons? That can be replaced with removing the valve covers? I guessing the half moons have to have the covers removed?

 

Right. Cam seals. The big ones.

 

So my valve cover bolts were pretty loose and each needed a good 1/2 turn each to get snug. I tightened the reachable 4 bolts on the outside of each cover.

What do you think I should suspect to see knowing that I've tightened all the outside bolts and none of the inside ones, and that the bolts were not tightened in the proper order as if you would do it if you had access to all 16 bolts?

 

You really need to torque ALL of them down at the same torque setting or you will not have the same pressure on the gasket

 

Yeah I know. There's no easy way to do it without removing vacuum tubes and the plenum right?