I have a nasty oil leak and it seems to be coming from the area of/above the metal block that the oil filter screws into (no, it'* not the filter seal). Is there a mating surface in that area that is prone to failure, or could this be a simple oil pan gasket throwing oil towards the filter mount?

It really only leaks while running and the rate is about a drip every 1-2 seconds (pretty bad!!)

Is this a common problem, what does it sound like to you guys?

Thanks

Front engine cover. Mine is doing the same thing, but not as bad. I was hoping it was just the oil pan gasket, but replacing it only slowed it down. I had a few leaks, oil pan (fixed), lower intake gasket (minor, ignoring for now), front cover (perplexing me).

Can you give us a better description, or post a pic?

Sounds like the front engine cover (per jwikoff99), so I'll be pulling the motor this w/e and replacing all the gaskets on the front end, along with the water pump etc.

With 80,000 miles on the clock, should I bother with the timing chain/sprockets, what kind of lifespan should I expect from them?

Lastly, while I have the motor out, is there anything else I should replace - things that tend to go wrong with this motor in the +/-100,000 mile range? I don't want to have to pull this motor again for a long long time!

I'm not saying what your is, just what mine is, and your symptoms are similar.

Could also be the gasket beneath the lower intake on the end of the block. The corner where the head, lower intake, and block all meet. This is a typical NON-PRESSURE leak point.

There'* a pic on my website in the gallery of an L27 torn down with these new (blue) seals installed for reference.

With the rate that it'* coming out I just can't believe it'* a non-pressure leak. A drip every second just seems like it'* gotta be coming from something closer to the oil pump

jwikoff99; I understand that, but your assessment makes a lot of sense.

Thanks all!