Suspicious leak possibly near transmission stick

Hi guys,

I wanted to console with you all about a recent observation I had near the transmission stick on my 2000 Tacoma. There seems to be some coloring (possibly transmission fluid or oil) around the transmission stick (refer to pictures). Wanted to get your opinion on it. Thanks for the guidance!!

 

It's a leaking valve cover gasket, very common

You'll need a valve cover gasket kit and a intake manifold gasket kit (upper, sometimes called a plenum gasket kit)

There's also a casting plate type thing at the back of each cylinder head that likes to leak. But they can be a bit harder to access. The leak in your pic isn't related to that plate. Just something to be aware of

Make sure to do spark plug tube seals along with the gasket, most gasket kits include tube seals..

And it's a good time to replce spark plugs if they're old. Everything will be removed and they're right there

 

I would say it looks more like it’s coming from the engine (e.g. oil) than the transmission dipstick. Potentially the valve cover gasket.

I’d check your transmission fluid and engine oil regularly to see if one seems to go down over time.

I’d also look under the car for evidence of the transmission fluid leak. Unless the fluid is shooting out of the dipstick fixture it wouldn’t leak up there all the transmission fluid would be below the engine bay in the transmission unless you way overfilled the transmission.

I’d also pull that spark plug in the middle of the image and look for oil in it