yet another oil leak/smoke smell problem
 

My SVX now has about 120,000 miles on it, it has 100,000 when I got it last year, it always did have a small oil leak and once in a while a little smoke coming from either side of the car. I have read as many posts on here as I can find on the subject and most seem to be cam, crank seals etc. under the timing belt cover, I first thought that was my problem too. Well the other day I took a 600 mile trip in one day and most of the time when I stopped I would notice the embarassing smoke. Then when I got home I noticed a scuzzy film with dust etc on the back of the car whilch was oil residue mixed with dust. Then I checked my oil and it was 3 quarts low, then is when I got real concerned. it never did use hardly any oil before but this was continous driving at interstate speeds about 75 most of that was at least 2 maybe close to 3 hours with little or now stopping, this is the first time I ever drove the car that long or fast. Well I took the plastic cover off from under the car and there was some oil in various places but I cleaned the under side with electric motor cleaner which works really well, then I washed it off with water and got it pretty clean, I drove it a short ways and noticed a very little smoke.
I then looked on top of the engine and there was some oil pooled on the top of the engine but it had some of that when I first got the car, at that time I figured it was the power steering pump seal so I changed the O-ring at that time.. Well I washed the top of the engine and so far I haven't noticed the smoke.. What I am wondering is, does anyone know what on top of the engine could be leaking to cause the smoke, I can see where it has been running down from the top and down to the exaust system. I am just unfamiliar with the things that are under the intake and I really didn't want to take that off if there is any way around it.. that looks complicated although I have worked on other cars for years.. these are foreign to me..... I haven't checked the pcv yet, but I didn't know if that might be the problem or not... So, If anyone has any thoughts on this, please reply..... Oh.. I don't doubt that the cam and crank seals are leaking some but I didn't notice any oil on the bottom of the timing belt cover.. Thanks.
Vernon

I think the PS pump reservoir o-ring or the hose is most likely. Maybe a valve cover also. This is the first I have heard of oil pooling on the top of the engine. You are doing the right things. Keep cleaning it off until you can tell. Brake parts cleaner works well.

What color is the oil? Pink or dark? That would help know if it is PS or engine oil.

Hi. the oil is not much darker that it would be if it were new engine oil. it isn't pink as it would be if it were coming from the power steering resivoir or the pump or hoses. and it is mostly on the back drivers side of the engine. But since I have flushed the top of the engine I really haven't noticed any more appearing there. The p/s fluid is never low and usually the engine oil isn't either with the exception of after the long almost continious trip I took a couple of weeks ago, I have been checking the oil about every day and haven't noticed it being any lower. It did sure did get rid of it that day though, I did, however change oil after it showed so low, I guess maybe it could have just worn out and leaked easier than fresh oil would..
I went on a short trip yesterday, about 200 miles and it didn't smoke at all, and if it were like before I would have noticed it everytime I would have stopped. It still is a concern but if it stays doing like it is I can tolerate it.
Thanks for answering.
Vernon

Driver side oil leak could be the o-ring on the filler pipe to valve cover. :) More prone to leaking when driven harder.