I have a small oil leak somewhere and I am having a very hard time
diagnosing the location. I do know that when I open the hood there is
always a few drops of oil on the hood right above the power steering fluid
drive wheel.
I am pretty sure that it is oil and not power steering fluid-- it is
darker in color than the p.s. fluid.
Since this location on the hood is directly above the belts, I assume
that there is an oil leak getting onto one of the belts and being flung onto
the hood during driving.
If anyone has any past experience in this area, please let me know.
FWIW-- there is a smell of burning rubber also coming from this part of the
engine when I get out of my car after driving. I cannot smell it inside the
cabin, and it only happens when the engine is hot. I assume oil dripping
onto a hot engine causing this symptom.

Thanks for your help,

Matthew Brown
Memphis

Matthew Brown wrote:
The most likely causes are a leaking valve cover gasket, leaking cam seal,
or leaking front crank seal (note that the head gasket can also leak oil but
this is less likely). In either of these cases it sounds like you have a
large leak. Oil leaks in this area are problematic in as much as oil can
get on the timing belt which dramatically shortens its service life.
Failure of the timing belt can lead to mechanical engine damage, e.g., bent
valves. In short, it would be best to get the oil leak and timing belt
inspected as soon as possible to ensure that the engine keeps working.

Eric

Matthew Brown wrote:

engine cover, remove the timing belt cover (two 10 mm screws on side
)Inspect for oil. Further>if youre able to work on cars< remove belt and
drive pulley after marking the position of the belt on the pulley. Do
not rotate engine under any circumstance. Dig out seal with small screw
driver and after coating the new one with some gasket goop replace in
reverse order... Watch out for the key on the pulley shaft > Youl'l
loose it like I did otherwise...