I just changed the valve cover gasket on the driver's side. While doing the repair it clearly looked like that was the source of the leak. Oil leak is dripping onto the top of the compressor. I did some searches and could find much. If the compressor is covered in oil does that point to a specific oil leak origin? I just got this car so I'm still learning. It was hard to get a clear picture but shiny area is oil on the compressor.

 

Not to sound like a smart azz but if oil is dripping it makes sense to look at the motor above the compressor to try and narrow down the source. I know it's tight in there, but if you can jack the car up and look at the area from underneath it might give you a better vantage point to figure out where the oil is coming from.

 

I cleaned it up and drove it a little, but it's hard to see for sure. Also, I just changed the oil so it's a little difficult to tell what is fresh oil vs an area I cleaned recently. When I looked yesterday, I was thinking that it was the corner of the valve cover, but I've still not sure. My free time has been very limited too. I'll have it figured out soon. I was just curious if someone else had the same issue which would help me pinpoint exactly what it is.

 

Buy some of the dye that goes into the crankcase, UV light, and some glasses. Then it will light up if new oil is coming out.

Did that oil appear after you changed the gasket? Maybe it didn't seat completely, I had to change mine it was the most PITA thing I've done.

 

The oil was there before a changed the gasket. It's the reason I changed it. Can I get this dye from autozone or similar store?

 

They should have it or you can order it online.

 

After looking at it again yesterday, I believe that the leak is coming from the front, driver's side corner of the driver's side valve cover. When I replaced the gasket, there was some excess rtv gasket material in that area from something that butts up near it, timing cover?
This afternoon I plan to take the valve cover back off and remove the gasket material that is near where the valve cover sits unless I'm advised not to. I can post a picture after I have the valve cover off. Beside putting rtv to hold the gasket in place to the valve cover, should I put it any where the valve cover sits?

 

I redid the valve cover gasket Friday afternoon and added RTV to it. However, it was still leaking. I did a better look around the engine bay and found that the source of the leak was the timing cover. At that point I felt overwhelmed because it looks like a big job to replace the timing cover gasket. I looked some more and saw a missing bolt on the right hand side of the timing cover. I installed a new bolt and no more leak!

 

Glad it was a simple, but annoying missing bolt. The timing cover uses RTV and yes it's a major PITA to do that. I replaced my water pump, guides, and primary chain about 2.5 years ago and it's not something I would probably do again.