[Mcgavin88]

Howdy, I'm a new member here, but this forum as been a great resource for me in the past!

My 07 Camry 2azfe had oil in the spark plug pockets so I decided to change the valve cover gasket. When I took the cover off and inspected the seal area around the spark plug I found they're warped. Looking further I actually found holes that go straight through it. I'm pretty sure that this warping and the holes will compromise the seal. I can't for the life of me figure out what caused this so I'm wondering if any of you have seen anything like this before.

The cover is still very dirty. I found the issue while I was cleaning it.

The car has 120,000 miles on it. Has anyone seen anything like this before?

 

[Donald E George]

Knock the old seals out and replace them with OEM seals. My 04 has the OEM seals and so far no oil has got into the plug wells.

 

[Mcgavin88]

Yeah, I'll definately replace the seals. My problem here is that what the picture is showing is the actual metal of the plug wall is warped and cracked. I've already taken the gasket seals off in this picture.

 

[Levinz11]

Yeah, I'll definately replace the seals. My problem here is that what the picture is showing is the actual metal of the plug wall is warped and cracked. I've already taken the gasket seals off in this picture.

Those sure look plastic/rubber to me.

 

[kitacamry]

The outer perimeter seal has 4 sparkplug tube seals connected to that seal by a strip of rubber running through the middle from one end to the other...

 

[Mcgavin88]

Yep, all the gasket material is removed including the outer rim gasket and the whole strip across where the spark plugs go. It's down to just the metal and sludge. Tonight when I get home I'll try to clean it up more and take pictures.

 

[hardtopte72]

Assuming it is warped, that would be a very rare and odd first.

The only guess I could make is that the valve cover was either manufactured poorly (something wrong with the cast or pouring of your cover), the factory tech/machine that installed it overtightened it so much it warped like that, or someone previously removed it/did a gasket on it and damaged it at that time.

Regardless of the cause, I would replace that valve cover with a junkyard unit.

 

[tacoman1423]

What lead you to inspect the plugs? Was it oil seeping out or an odd running engine?