Oil leak...

[96WhiteTSi]

Ok so I have this leak SOMEWHERE on or around the head area and it all seems to collect around the exhaust ports... and leaks down the timing cover off the OFH area... at first i thought it was the OFH but.... its not that after cleaning it up....

took the manifold off and saw...

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AND

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and

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If you notice... its also collecting on the ledge between cyl 1 and 2...

Im thinking valve cover gasket... but its not showing signs of leakage... also I thought cam seal... but that wouldn't explain the oil around the exhaust ports...

I have read that the exhaust studs can seep... is this true?? something I should look into... How do you fix something like this?

 

[Infamous33]

The best idea to find the cause would be to get yourself some engine oil black light tracer dye. Depending on how long it takes it to make a noticeable leak, run/drive it for a little while, then you will be able to follow the trace from the source.
Most parts stores have the dye and a fairly inexpensive black light pen.
I use this method all the time with customer vehicles, save the expense of just replacing gasket after gasket until it stops. It isn't even neccesary to get the area totally clean because the dye with glow under a black light.

 

[96WhiteTSi]

Yeah.. I had thought about that.. But i was just wondering if anyone else had the same issue in the same area of the car..