4.0 timing cover leak

The cover has 2 dips on the gasket surface. Toyota has not made a new cover to fix this but maybe the aftermarket has?? there are a lot of aftermarket covers for sale out there but I don't know if they are flat. Anyone personally dealt with this?
The local service manager said to put more silicone in those areas. I know that will fix it for now but it will leak again, I am sure of it.

 

Mine leaked shortly after I purchased my truck new and I had it fixed a little while after under warranty and so far no leaks and its been about 2 years.

 

There is no paper gasket used here, RTV only. I would use "The right stuff" sealant for this, but thats not the issue at hand. Really hard to tell from your photo, but the dips look like machining defects. How deep are they? (use straight edge and feeler gauge) What does the TSB say on this leak? Or are you aware of it?

 

Fill the dips with JB-Qwik. before it gets fully cured use a sharp razor blade to level it off. Let it fully cure and reinstall. I have done this to various things and I have had great luck with it. Normally I use the on the water ports in the clyinder heads where the gasket areas corrode and wont seal well with the silicone/plastic gasket carriers.

I don't like silicone as it has no real toughness when used to bridge gaps and usually leaks again. The JB-Qwik on the other hand isn't affected by much of anything and lasts.

my .0002

 

Ordered a new aftermarket timing cover for under $300 before shipping. The lady on the phone was kind enough to get it out of warehouse and check that area of the cover for flatness...she swears it's flat!
The service manager @ Toyota said that Toyota only makes the cover with the dips, in other words he wasn't suprised to see the dips in my cover. He was actually fully aware of the dips in the factory cover. My friends say it's a known defect...news to me.
I'll post a conformation when it arrives.

 

That's a big defect. I couldn't see something that big getting through QA. I am curious to see what you get.

 

anyone have an idea why it would keep leaking?brought my 4 L to get the timing cover seal done and 2 months later leaking like you wouldn't believe. Definitely leaking worse now then ever before. is there maybe a vent or something i am missing?thanks