Well, damnit. When I backed out of my driveway this morning, I noticed a little fresh oil on the ground. I didn't really think much of it, because I parked my car where my mom's intrepid always sits (an oil leaking machine). When I got to work, I parked my car, came in, and let it sit for about an hour. I went out and looked under it, and sure enough there are 4 drops of oil underneath the car (there was only fresh snow under the car when I came inside). I tried looking to see where it may be leaking from, but I'm not positive, it looks like it might be the Oil filter, or the drain plug, or (worst possible scenario), the valve cover gaskets are leaking that bad now. I dunno, just needed a place to vent, I'll pull it into the shop after work, and take a look at it, kinda bummed though. And yes, I'll check the oil before I leave work (I'm not that dumb). Good news is that the oil on the snow was really clean!

 

My valve cover gasket used to leak. All I had to do was tighten the nuts and it was fixed. 10 minutes.

If it's not the valve cover, wipe everything down, start the car and take a peek underneath.

 

If there is a leak from the vlave cover, its because of an old dried up crusty gasket. Its doesnt take a lot of force/torque to strip the nuts/studs on the head. You definately dont want to have to replace those.

 

Well, if it is the valve cover gaskets, I was planning on replacing those soon anyways. Now it just may be sooner than before. I might just do itregardless, because they need to be done. I did notice a drop that looked like it was coming from the drain plug, but also where it looked like there was a trace running down the block/oil panright above the plug. I'll get her all squared away soon enough, just kind of one of those annoyance things, you know?

 

Most of the bottom of my engine is soiled with oil from when my valve cover gasket was shot. I need to get under there with a tooth brush someday Its really disturbing to look at.[:@]