bigcocoon

After driving and coming home, I opened the hood to check the engone oil level (I have a motor oil leak) I noticed smoke coming from the engine. I have attached photos of exactly where it is coming from.

Car: 99 TL, 211k miles, original engine and transmission. New thermostat.

Karanx7

iTrader: (2)

Probably an exhaust leak at the collectors.

bigcocoon

Could it be power steering leak?

01tl4tl

Look at the valve cover bolts- leaking- bolt seals known weak point-and with them loose the valve cover gasket lets some oil seep out just like pic!
Give a gentle 10 foot pounds torque on the v/c cover bolts

If you are overdue for a valve adjustment- (most are probably past 100-150kmiles) replace the gasket and new seals for the bolts themselves

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

be careful! i stripped the valve cover bolts!! they are a gentle 10 foot per pounds!!

Karanx7

iTrader: (2)

Wow, I didn't look at the picture properly. There's definitely burned oil residue all over your front exhaust collector heat shield, and it looks like it's coming straight down from your front valve cover. There's no power steering lines up there, so it's probably not that.

bigcocoon

Replace the gasket? Head gasket?

thoiboi

no, the valve cover gasket:
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-p...et-diy-906982/

bigcocoon

Safe to drive like this? Don't plan on investing more $ into this vehicle..

thoiboi

Just carry around a fire extinguisher I guess

bbsitum

I had exact same problem at my old Acura Legend 90. Oil was leaking at exhaust manifold from valve cower. All what you need to do is for time to time wash that area of engine. Be aware you and anyone else. My car did catch the fire after warning me with smoke for days. One night I opened hood when was a lot smoke. Well where is smoke can be fire and there was flames like 2' tall. My front spark plugs wires all burned but fire stop after it at his own. Wash that area at car wash every two weeks and you will be good.

And it is not joke.

bigcocoon

How to wash and with what?

bbsitum

Just go to car wash open hood and wash that part of engine where is oil, at last it is what I did. Be aware that it can catch fire with enough of disregarding. Problem in my case if I remember right was that replacing of valve cower gasket fix problem only partially. After that I replaced cylinder head gasket at same side (V engine too) and it fix problem completely. But I didn't pull head because of it then head was cracked. Replacing valve cover gasket and washing that area in car wash should solve problem.

thoiboi

I wasn't joking.. You just had an anecdote as to why i would carry on a fire extinguisher.:

08KBP_VA

knock it down with some brake clean then hit with engine degreaser and finish with dawn then you can maintain from there

Karanx7

iTrader: (2)

I think he was specifying that you weren't joking, as the fire is a real possibility.

Honestly, if you want to save a couple dollars by risking your car catching on fire, you're an idiot. Replace the valve cover gasket and wash off the oil. The gasket part number is 12341-P8A-A00, and it cost $6 online.