Is this a leaky Head Gasket?

So I was poking around my engine today, and I noticed what looks like oil accumulation between the head and the block on my 2008 V6 Tacoma. The included pics are of the cylinder just beside the dipstick. Although it is hard to see from the photos there also appears to be some buildup in this area. What else concerns me is the splotch beneath the seal on the block. It feels greasy to the touch. When I first got the truck(bought brand new) I noticed what looked like milkshake on the inside of the oil cap. Didn't know at the time this could be a bad sign. Truck has 72K on it, oil changes done every 5K, with Mobil One Synthetic, spark plugs changed at 58K, air filter at regular intervals. The good news though is I bought the Platinum Extended Warranty(good for 7yrs, 75K), and that is supposed to cover all gaskets and seals in the engine. I'm taking it into the dealership in the morning, just wanted some thoughts. Thanks

 

Hard to tell. Being by the dipstick, it could be a little backpressure from the crankcase pushing some oil mist out the dipstick tube. Also that's right above your AC compressor, I believe, so it could be a small refrigerant leak or even road slime and dust from the serpentine belt where it wraps around the AC compressor pulley. I know the latter happens on my wife's 04 Matrix, and I'm already (18k) seeing something similar on my '12 in that spot. It's possible your PCV valve is not opening enough during high vacuum, so some of the blowby gases are venting out the dipstick. If you haven't already, I'd inspect the PCV hoses and valve.

Could it be a HG leak? Sure. That would be last on my list, for now, though.


As for the tan goo under the oil filler cap, that's pretty typical on the Tacoma if you do very short trips, which is probably what was done more than once when it was on the lot. Even letting the engine idle for a while can cause the goo (water vapor + oil emulsion).

 

Not head gasket.
Maybe valve cover gasket.

Clean it up with Simple Green and see if it returns.

 

heheh, no thats probably your valve cover, if it was your head gasket , trust me you'd know it, it'd most likely be running hot & like shit, besides head gaskets blow inbetween cylinders where theres most of the head pressure & heat develop. if you change the valve cover gasket, however you seal it make sure not to over tighten, this will cause a new seal to fail quickly

 

BTW, the "milkshake" under the oil cap is considered normal, due to condensation from the long oil filler neck. The buildup should disappear once the oil reaches engine temperature. You can check under the oil cap after a long drive.

 

+1

But it is a problem on engines that are only used for short trips and are never run for an hour or so at full operating temp.
If you live 5 miles from school/work... ride a bike.

 

All good points. The idea of back pressure causing it actually crossed my mind when I first saw it, as mentioned by obscurotron. But, now I can see where it could also be the valve cover. Thanks for everyone's input. Hopefully it's good news tomorrow, I have a bow hunt planned this Sat. Not sure the dealership would appreciate me bringing a camry back with a trunk full of deer hair and blood. Not to mention a beat up suspension driving on the fireroads in the hunt club! Thanks again everyone!

 

This gets my vote. Easy to do these yourself, but if you have coverage let then do it by all means!

You normally don't "see" a head gasket leak. You find it when you get coolant in the oil, oil in the coolant or coolant in the cylinder or all of the above.

Back pressure shouldn't be there if the PCV System is working.

 

I never noticed it in my Tundra, which had an aluminum tube, but I did notice it in damp weather in my Suburban, which I had fitted with a plastic tube from a Cadillac.

 

You could also re-torque the valve cover bolts to see if it stops. It's quick easy and free

 

I vote this, or some foam degreaser and the hose.

or just leave it. its your trucks natural defense against rust

 

Seems that most of you were correct. Valve cover gasket leak. Dealer will also be replacing drive shaft in accordance with Toyota TSB-0250-12.

 

good to hear

on a sadder note, you have now weakend your trucks immune system and its going to rust into the ground in 3 weeks