Cam seals usually show via dirt that sticks to the oil behind the cam gears. I wish people would stop using Fel-Pro they have a great reputation and I don't know why their gaskets are junk..

 

I'm going to try the easy stuff first: check if covers are not tight enough. Then, if that doesn't fix it, I'll take the cover off and redo the front vcg. If none of that fixes it, then it's probably the cam seal and I'll need a mechanic... and a bag o' cash.

 

I honestly don’t trust anything else. I’ve been using them since the early ‘70s and NEVER had an issue. Prep the surfaces, dress the gasket. Torque correctly, then re-torque again after the gasket sets from heat cycling. Same as any proper procedure. Do that and it typically outlasts OE gaskets.

I re-did the VCGs in the 02 ES w/Fel-Pro (properly) last time, and they are way outlasting the OE gaskets. The OE failed about 140k mi; we are at 340k mi now and they are not leaking at all.

 

CCN said the same thing, won't use any of their gaskets. Don't know how you've had success must have got lucky and got the good ones, most are junk made in China and Mexico.

 

I’m not worried about not being aligned with CCN. A bit of a loon with less experience, and his views on Lexus V8s are just way off base; lots of stuff designed in his vids for click-bait, not objectivity. I have an inherent suspicion of sources that are being paid for sensationalism, vs. honest testing. Plus 50+ years of success. The weird thing is -it’s very community specific. Lexus community hates Fel-Pro, Corvette community love them. I see the same in other brands between Lexus, Volvo, etc. - places I frequent. It make no sense. I go with what works and has worked historically.

On the OP’s point, here’s a clean view. Possibly cracked the bolt hole; it’s easy to do with the one-use compression bolts and using a click-wrench instead of a linear one or educated hand. Just a guess.