help locate this oil leak, couple clues

[FuryCharger]

ok....I have an oil leak that has been going on for a while now..

A) It leaks up front all over the passenger side of the motor.

B) I did a head cam intake swap last summer and it all started right after that

C) Im zeroing in on the valve cover because when I reinstalled the covers after the upgrade I was one screw/bolt short so I put in a regular screw/bolt that fit the hole but it didnt have that rubber crap around it.

D) I had to replace my alternator yesterday and when I was pulling it out the bolt on the bottom of the alternator was covered in oil.

I think its coming from the valve cover but im not sure. Is there some kind of additive I can put in the oil to find out? What do u guys think? Also, where can i get one of those bolts with the rubber crap??

thanx guys for everything

-Neal

[FuryCharger]

come on....any opinions on the matter?

[camaroman1181]

is the bolt that wasnt factory that you replaced near the source of the oil leak? that sounds very suspect to me. I'd say start there. Have you wiped everything clean and checked to see more accurately where the oil is coming from? maybe wipe the heads clean by that random bolt and check it out. the bolt you should be able to get at a dealer, though itll probably be rediculously priced.

[SilverBirdSeven]

I found oil in about the same location as you on my car and it turned out to be the intake manifold.

I know there is a dye penetrant you can put on the block to check for leaks but I'm not sure about something you can directly add to the oil. It probably wouldnt hurt to ask your dealer, I've never seen anything like that sold at auto parts stores.

[cam98aro]

why dont you just look at the engine and see where there is oilk pourin out... it isnt that hard.

[Jeanda]

what u need to do is....
-1)get some engine cleaner solution and start spraying down ur engine to get all the old oil and junk cleaned off.
-2)then when ur engine is clean, drive it around until u can pinpoint the source of your leak.

[FuryCharger]

ok....can u guys give me some specific products? i was thinking that carb cleaner would work fine, oh and is it safe to just spray down the front of the motor with a hose?

[Skinny]

Brake cleaner works better than carb cleaner. A quick spray with a hose won't hurt anything, but don't spend all day hosing it down and try not to get much (or any) water on the alternator.

[Jeanda]

SIMPLE GREEN
-AND GRAB A PLASTIC GROCERY BAG AND WRAP IT AROUND(oops-cap lock)ur alt. and coils...etc