OK so I have a fairly significant oil leak from the engine. Originally thought it was the rear main seal, but after reading on here, and doing some cleaning underneath, I have determined it is from the oil filter adapter. I think.

I added dye, and I've attached a picture of where the oil is coming out. It is 100% for sure coming out of the oil filter adapter, as my UV light shows this very clearly (as green). I am less sure if it is leaking from anywhere else.



It appears (and I can't yet confirm) that oil from the leaking oil filter adapter could get in the bell housing via the starter and come out where the engine mates with the transmission bell housing. From there, it drips down the bell housing and onto the exhaust. But, then again, it could be a bad RMS. Is this possible?

I do not see any oil leaking from the valve cover gasket (using my UV light, it's obvious where the leaks are!)

Notice the green streak coming out of the gap below.



There is a decent sized gap between the two surfaces - probably 1/8" - it is leaking from here ^

The PO obviously used RTV to seal the oil adapter gasket - this is not cool! I peeled off a bunch from the housing. Ugh. Going to have to replace all the oil filter adapter gaskets now. Hopefully that fixes my burnt oil smell issue.

 

Its probably leaking from both. You can probably eliminate 95-99% of the leak by replacing the big o-ring on the oil filter adapter. The entire o-ring kit from the dealer is about $11-20 depending on your dealer. Fel Pro has a listing for the big o-ring and most stores will have it for about $1.17.

 

Got mine from jcwhitney.com

 

Most any auto parts store will have the O-Ring set for about $5-6 just do them all, and "NO RTV" when it goes back together!!

 

Get the kit from the dealer and replace all 3 o-rings.

It it's held on with a Torx bolt, it's a T60.