Do the timing belt cover on a 1996 camry have a seal or gasket that can leak oil, mine seems to be leaking for around that area. If so how to replace the seal/gasket?

probably gaskets are not sealed properly you have to redo it or try and cleaned it remove all the oil that sorrounds the engine and try to seal with a high temp silicon

Sounds like you have a camshaft seal leaking. The belt cover will need to be removed for further inspection.

There are three other area's that can leak, here they are in order of how often they occur
1.Engine Valve cover gasket(s) (2 if V6 engine), oil runs down the engine and drips off the pan.
2.Rear crankshaft seal leaking
3.Front crankshaft seal leaking. Oil is blown back by air pressure while driving and rips off of pan.

Sounds like a slight leak on the cylinder head gasket or timing gear seals. Remove the timing cover plate to give you a better view of the problem. If its something like the heads, then get a professional to do it. If its in the timing section, you can do it yourself with the help of a Hanes or Chiltons manual for your car. Check the oil pan. That one is common on camrys.

If you haven't had the timing belt replace (60,000 miles is the suggested service intervale) this is an overlap of having the timing belt replaced.
If the timing belt is not due for replacement and its the cam shaft seal that is leaking. Its a pretty easy fix. Remove the top timing belt cover , and the crankshaft sensor wiring you may have to remove the front engine mount . Set #1 piston at TDC, Loosen tensioner w/ spring slip off belt. **Remove sprocket pull out old seal with a sharp pick. Greese and install new seal make sure its flush with its bore . Reistall sprocket. Slide belt over Cam sprocket tighten tensioner. Install cover and mount (if applicable) Check timing marks by turning crank two revolutions.
** If CamSprocket Bolt is difficult to remove then remove valve cover and use a 21mm wrench to hold the Camshaft while you crack off Cam Sprocket Bolt.
You will see the groves on the Camshaft where you can place a wrench to hold the shaft.
After you replaced the seal replace the valve cover gasket ONLY IF YOU HAD TO REMOVE THE COVER TO HOLD THE CAM WHILE REMOVING ITS BOLT.

This is about as major as it gets.

either the cam seals are leaking or the valve cover gasket is leaking into the timing cover. maybe even head gasket... but in most of the cases like oil leaking from behind the timing cover the camshaft seal is the faulty .and replacing the camshaft solves the problem. no its not a costly part to be replaced. you can get it from a local car repair tech or from www.autozone.com service center.they also deal in parts. This will help. Thanks please keep updated.please please do rate the solution positively .thank you for using fixya

Hi,

That engine will leak oil from

- cam cover gaskets (rear one drips on the exhaust)
- camshaft end seals
- distributor shaft o-ring (appears on top of transaxle housing)
- oil filter bracket to block o-ring seal (drips on front bank exhaust)
- crankshaft nose oil seal (have done with timing belt change)
- rear main seal (expensive, leave it be)

Are you sure its the oil pan most leaks come from the valve cover gaskets up above. check the corners of the valve covers. If the pan needs re-sealed you will have to remove the flex pipe.

More than likely it would be the front seals, oil pump front shaft seal and gasket ( "o" ring), Cam seal, crank seal one of those. Have to remove timing belt in order to change these seals. I would change out all the seals and put a new timing belt on it. Depending on how many miles you have on your car I would consider a water pump as well because the timing belt also needs to be removed to replace this part. In other words... Costly repair, but instead of replacing the seals and solving the leak and then 2 weeks later the timing belt snaps, then you just paid twice for the labor. Check oil pan gasket first b4 you spend money on seals.

I am going to see a mechanic - my trusted mechanic who does not nickel and dime me - to see what this is. I have the same problem and he told me he has never done this job on a Camry and is unsure. Given the miles, he has suggested that maybe it is time to part ways with the car. I am going to ask him if he will put some florescent dye in it and let me drive it for 50-100 mi and then check to see where the leak is and fix it. Let you know what happens. I have to try, the car is solid.