I have a 97' disco with 90k. It has some fluid leaks, generally not enough to leave puddles. The only spot I have ever noticed is in my driveway where I park every night and it is only a small area. Nothing I would concern myself with. My problem is now it seems to be leaking oil onto the exhaust manifold which of course is followed by some smoke coming up from under the hood occasionally. Looking at the motor it appears to be wet with oil all over. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas where to start looking. I don't think it would be a head gasket issue because there is no evidence of a coolant problem, the level hasn't changed, there are no visible leaks and it doesn't smoke at all. It does go through some oil though. I am kind of hoping it is just a valve cover gasket which I would assume is an easy change. Let me know what you think. Thanks.

 

Cover your ECU with a water tight bag, then go to your local do it yourself car wash and clean your engine so you can see where the leak is coming from. Once you find the leaks, get back to us. Chances are your v/c gaskets are part of the problem and you can tighten the 2 bolts up to usually stop that leak.

 

Go buy a 12 point 8mm socket, yes it MUST be a 12 point socket, get it in 1/4" drive and you will need a extension.
Tighten all the valve cover bolts you can see, the leaks will stop.
Do this every 6 months and you will be leak free from the valve covers anyway.

 

Thanks for the response guys. I hope it is as easy as turning a wrench a couple times.

 

The valley pan can also leak on the ends. There is a rubber gasket underneath each end that becomes brittle and allows oil to leak out. Before I changed my headgaskets I had leaks on both ends. After I took the old ones out they were so brittle they crumbled when I tried to bend them. There is a bolt on each end in the center that is a 13mm. If they are old and brittle tightening them may not help. Cleaning the engine will help you find the leaks.