Rear Cam Gasket Seal

Hey everyone,
I have a slight oil leak coming from the rear cam gasket. This is going to be a stupid question, but when replacing a rear cam gasket seal, so I only need to buy one? Or are there more than one. I am very new to mechanics (usually build computers) but I am trying to learn how to do this stuff myself so I do not have to dish out a lot of money to a mechanic for nothing.

Thanks for your help

Vehicle:
1997 Tacoma Xrtracab
3.4L V6 DOHC 4x4.

 

Are you talking about the valve cover gasket? Because there is no camshaft seal on the rear side. Since the V-6 has 2 cylinder heads there is a valve cover gasket on each side, but you only need to replace the one that is leaking. You should check that the valve cover nuts are tight. If they loosened up it could cause a leak or the gasket could just be old. Those nuts doesn't require a lot of torque though, 53 inch-pounds.

 

The rubber washer that goes with the bolt for the valve cover will shrink over time from heat and
the bolts will come a bit loose hence the gasket will leak

 

There are 2 (1 on each side of the back of the head) and 1/2 moons also.....2 of those.

You don't have to buy new ones unless you want. Resealing is fine.

 

He's talking about the full moons. It's where the cams would exit if the heads were on opposite sides.

 

if it is on the drivers side I would replace the half moons. The labor involved in getting to the DS is much more than the PS.

 

The 1/2 moons do no come with sealer applied so you have to seal them even if new.
They are aluminum so there is no good reason for them to be 'worn', it's just a drying out of the sealant.
I can understand a person buying new 'full' moons because the come with a factory seal but you're paying a premium for a pre made piece of rubber that really, you can see when you install if you put too much.

edit: If I'm misunderstanding any of all this there is a very good sticky above us that details doing all of this.

 

Just had half moons, VC gaskets and cam seals replaced. Kind of expensive, guaranteed for 12 months, Toyota dealer.

 

Just to add to this............I replaced mine on my 3.4.....2x on the drivers side due to my mistake. Make sure you use plenty of FIPG around the points indicated in the picture below of they will leaker sooner than later.

Good article below.

 

Ill be doing this same thing over the weekend. Should not take too long being i have done it before...