While mucking about in those areas, there is an oil separator that vents the valve covers to the intake through a rubber hose. The separator is actually a baffled plastic stub. Pull out with needle nose pliers, wash with solvent, replace. When clogged, the pressure makes oil vent in other places.

Link to pix http://www.roverparts.com/Parts/LLJ000010.cfm

 

you may want to check your oil pressure sender/switch.mine is leaking quite badly through the top of the switch.as well as my valve covers.
brett

 

I just got my 97 disco a couple of months ago from a local mechanic. He buys broken rovers at auction and then fixes them up for sale. (then he gets the follow up visits from then on)

The main issue with my car had the same symptoms as you show in your photos. (oil pooling in the same places, small amount of smoke when stopped, bad smell inside the car) I'm sure he replaced the valley gaskets, (not sure what else) but the car was leaking again worse than before. He thought the end gaskets from the valley were the problem and after 7 weeks of back and forth he was able to get the leak stopped, I didn't even ask what ended up being the problem - but can call him if you are still having your issue.

My problem now is that the burnt oil smell still remains (albeit much less) and I'm not sure if I should try to pressure wash the block to get rid of the last remnants of the oil or if the smell is now part of the duct work! My wife is sensitive to smells, and doesn't want to drive in the Disco until I can take care of the smell better. I don't want to lose the Disco, so I'll let you know how it goes...

 

I carefully pressure wash my engine bay regularly without issue. Some people have had problems doing it though. I just stay mindful of what I'm blasting water at. Some spray it with WD40 too.

 

The valve covers leak often, drips on exhaust manifolds, makes smell, air intake is just under passenger windshield wiper. Valve covers take 8mm 12 point 1/4 inch drive socket, snug up every oil change. Any remnants will continue to smell. Main area to avoid water is the ECU, in a black box on passenger fender wall, next to windshield wash fluid bottle.

 

The high pressure spray can also damage aged plastic and other items that you do not want to mess with. Remember how old and fragile a lot of that stuff is by now. Better off to spray it down really good with the cheap degreaser from the Dollar Store like Mean Green and either use low pressure garden hose or just wipe with rags.

Mine had the same exact problem at first five years ago. It has gotten pretty clean after me working on it so many times. I spray with Mean Green heavily before I work on it and wear old throw away clothes like the white dress shirts I no longer need since I no longer chase the work thing.

And after solving that oil leak, mine is much cleaner now.

 

Thanks for all the input, I have wiped it down and it seems to have helped. Right now (for winter) I'll just keep on the recycle air button - which helps a bunch as well.

Think I'll go the degreaser/low-pressure route once it warms up a bit.

 

Yup, gotta love that 'makes smell' feature they installed at the factory!

 

I know this is an old post but I had the same problem a couple of years ago. The hose to the intake was so clogged you could barely blow through it. I had tighten all the valve covers etc. and it still leaked. Then I recalled my father having this problem on a vehicle years ago. I cleaned mine and it had no leaks afterwards.