Wow. Do I ever have a leak.

The residue on the cap is not due to short trips. My Tacoma did this the entire time I owned it and it was driven at least 50 miles a day (25 miles one way to and from work and it's a continuous drive, takes about an hour with traffic and there are some highway portions in there also). My engine had ample time to warm up on each trip. I never figured out what caused this but I can safely rule out short trips as being the cause.

 

Op I had a similar issue just not as bad. The front drivers side and everything below was covered. I took the whole oil filler neck off. There is an o ring in there. Mine had split allowing oil to spray everywhere may check that first. I believe 1.50 from toyota

 

This would explain all the coverage he has from the top of the timing cover....

 

Correct. It is due to condensation and it is perfectly normal.

 

Now I have heard this.....

 

I live in Ohio, (very humid) and I have never had this residue problem...

 

There's an update. Used this test kit to check for a combustion leak..... The results where negative. Yay!!!!

 

I cleaned the block off with degreaser and brake clean

 

It appears that it might be leaking from the lower idler pulley on the driver side? Where is the spot that they usually leak from the timing cover?
I m going to work now so I ll run it again tomorrow afternoon and see if i can find it??

 

It's leaking by the crank possibility??

 

I don't claim to know the v-6s very well but I had a 22re that had a bad oil pump to timing cover o-ring and it slung oil absolutely everywhere.