So I'm going to change the fuel filter in my car last night, and as I take off the wingnut for the air cleaner, I feel it's covered in oil. Nowhere else that I can see in the engine compartment is covered in oil. I pull the dipstick and check the oil level, comes out dry 3 times in a row. It's been running fine, no oil spots on the pavement, just no oil. I fill it with 3 quarts of oil and 1 bottle of "stop leak" (with it being an old engine anyways, figure it can't hurt things), run the engine to let it flow, no problems/no leaks.

Today, after I get to work, I pop the hood and check, and it looks like there's smoke coming from around where you add oil (I spilt a little bit last night, and I'm not sure if it's just burning off or what). It's also pinging a bit, kind of like when water hits a piece of metal, but not sure if the 2 are related.

Any ideas? I'm planning on getting a full engine gasket replacement kit and replacing everything, but wasn't planning on doing it until August (I'm inexperienced at it, and it'll give me a long weekend to sit down with the shop manual and figure it out).

 

oil leaks are a pain!!!try cleaning the engine bay a best you can, removing caked oils spots and such. then see if any come back. thats crazy oil on top of the lid.

 

Is your PCV system working?

 

I thought it was. I changed out the PCV valve not too long ago, and I saw a dramatic increase in engine performance. I might pull it out, see if it's covered in oil or not.

 

run some seafom and or water through a vacuum line too. The magic cure all.

 

I pulled the PCV Valve and replaced it (for $2, why not?) and it had oil on it. Bad sign?