I am in trouble.

[HighRolla18565115]

Hello I have a 2007 Corolla. I took off the oil filler cap "aka part number 710". looked down in the hole and realized that one of the cam shaft had hit and torn the little aluminum protective cover that is to the side. My guess is that someone bent that cover down while filling engine with oil, which caused it to have reduced clearance with the cam, subsequently causing damage. From now on I am doing my own oil changes.

My main question is what should I do about it?

 

[fishycomics]

OUCH! Sorry to hear that. Never in my Life I had that ever happen and can feel your pain. I wonder if taking off the cover and getting to it be the best thing to do, and trying to reshape it? I always have done my Oil since the first car I driven, taken to shops yes and always kept an eye. Our last oil change they never changed oil and that is a Toyota care pkg shop Lol.

Keep us posted how you repair it?

 

[HighRolla18565115]

Thanks for making me feel better, and yes, keeping an eye on the people that work on your car is a very good suggestion.
The proper way to repair it would be to buy a new valve cover, take of the old one and replace. While putting on new gasket and new spark plugs.
However, since the damaged piece of aluminum is still solidly attached to the valve cover and there is no danger of it falling off and getting lost in the engine. I am thinking of waiting till the valve cover gasket gets old and starts leaking, then replacing it while carefully getting rid of that broken/bent piece.

 

[fishycomics]

If it is not doing any harm, keep an eye on it