Oil Leak

[CJCroel]

I'm pretty much in the dark about this one guys. I haven't been around in a while, but at the same time I haven't driven my car but maybe 1000 miles in the last 4 months due to having a take-home work truck.

I discovered a puddle of oil last night under my car...the puddle is toward the passenger side tire where I always park. Popped the hood and discovered oil near the top of my engine, pooling around the front spark plugs. This is about all I can tell you right now, other than it's holding good pressure and not losing oil very fast (even though I don't drive it a lot I stay on top of the oil level).

Is this a common leak, and how hard is it to fix? I know I really didn't give much detail as to where it's coming from, but that's about all I can see at this point.

Thanks a million guys...

[bill buttermore]

Front spark plugs wet with oil --> valve cover gaskets

[clm2112]

The only thing holding oil above the spark plugs is the valve covers. If they are dry on the outside then feel the surface of the head above the sparkplug with oil on it. If it feels slick, then the gasket needs replaced, cause the oil is seeping out the seam between the head and the valve cover. (easy to replace.)

[bill buttermore]

You will want to make sure that the oil is not transmission fluid. Sometimes the rubber cooling lines that carry the transmission fluid to and from the radiator can develop a leak and spray fluid on the engine. Such leaks have caused under hood fires, so check out the lines to make sure they are dry when the car is idling.

The most likely source of your leak, as Curt and I have suggested, is failing valve cover gaskets. Read how to fix them here: Change Valve Cover Gaskets

[CJCroel]

It's definitely oil that's leaking, not trans fluid...I appreciate the help!