this man knows his stuff. In all electronics there is magic smoke. If you let it out the part won't work anymore. it's a real secret to get the smoke back in if you are lucky enough to catch it.
Definitely not normal. There is no way the oem gasket could seal those gaps. doesnt make sense that it warped, maaybe someone tried yanking it off and missed a bolt?
I had the vct off to change cam seals. Wasn't hard.
undo the hex head bolt. take off the cover, some oil will drip out, undo next larger hex head bolt, remove vct.
hmmm. I did it recently can't remember any other tricks. There is another bolt under the cover held on the front, a bigger bolt. undo both. Might just have to gently tap it. It does come off