Oil leak - drivers side valve covers

[NickP]

Noticed the car was smelling a bit oily smokey so took a look, appears oil is leaking from drivers side valve cover onto the exhaust manifold, oddly the oil seems to dribble down from somewhere above the valve cover, like where the plugs go but to my knowledge there is nothing above the valve cover that carries oil?

I have taken the plug cover off and the coil packs but nothing obvious there, wondering if anyone had anything similar happen or maybe there is a pipe I'm unaware of thats leaking downwards?

Is replacing the valve cover / gasket a difficult job, hoping not!

 

[gotcha]

Maybe check the wiring for the variator solenoid passing through the valve cover. Mine were leaking and it is probably the highest location I can think about where oil can get out. I marked it in yellow:



Cam covers gasket where not that difficult to replace, the biggest pain for me was that one cam cover bolt that is hiding under the secondary air valves. I had to take them off as well with the piping to get to it.

 

[NickP]

Maybe check the wiring for the variator solenoid passing through the valve cover. Mine were leaking and it is probably the highest location I can think about where oil can get out. I marked it in yellow:

View attachment 122818

Cam covers gasket where not that difficult to replace, the biggest pain for me was that one cam cover bolt that is hiding under the secondary air valves. I had to take them off as well with the piping to get to it.

Ah, should have said, this is a 3200, don't think there is a pipe like this on mine, thanks for replying anyhow, I guess the job will be similar

 

[NickP]

Turns out this is one of the 4 rubbers that seal the plugs and the rocker cover.... Goinng to replace them all and get my rocker cover painted while its off.