Hey, have a serious problem, had an '88 Raider was running good no misses, or nothing, all of sudden starts blowing oil out the back of engine, cam seal appears to be in place and not leaking, two streak of oil left on road after driving home on each side of engine. I had give this car to my grandson, someone told him head gasket was leaking, he had just had a valve cover gasket installed a few weeks before. Could be bad installation of valve cover gasket or the head gasket. It is not missing or leaking coolant, or oil in coolant or coolant in oil. Not able to check it myself, you fellows have any ideas? any appreciated.
eddie <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Probably that valve cover gasket. Two streaks might mean it's leaking on both sides of the hump in the back of the valve cover, first place I'd look. Harbor Freight or similar sells a little mirror with LED lights on it that make seeing those things much easier.

John B.

Yes I agree with JohnnyB. It is possible, but highly unlikely that the head gasket suddenly starts leaking enough to leave streaks of oil like you described. Smart money would be on the firewall side of the valve cover gasket as JohnnyB mentioned at the hump. Take a clean towel and wipe that spot. If you see oil on the towel, you probably found the leak.

Hey, thanks for the replies. it is definitely leaking at the back on the bell housing and then running off both sides..
Just a thought, the work order where the valve cover gasket was replaced states, drill two bolts out of back of cylinder head. The leak started about a week after the valve cover gasket was replaced. The tech who owns the shop never mentioned drilling any bolts out. Think I am smelling a rat at the shop.
I am going to have another shop work on and see if he can find the leak.
Thanks again, Eddie