I have an oil leak somewhere around the engine. I dont know a whole lot about cars, but the guy at midas says he thinks its the crank shaft valve? Not sure if I remembered that right, but it was something like that. Its on the passenger side of the engine, towards the bottom. Its on the lower part of the engine or at least seams to be collecting there, and also dripping on to the lower parts like the tranny/pan and exhaust. Its not a big leak but I've had it for several months now. Now when I drive like 15 miles durring the hot days I think the oil is burning off the the hot exhaust pipe and smoking up under the car when I stop at stop lights. The guy at midas said this was a common problem with camaros that he has seen before. Does crank shaft sound about right for a leak in that general area of the engine? Also, what is the best way to clean the oil off the engine/other parts?

Thanks for your time.

 

There is no such thing as a crankshaft valve. There are crankshaft seals at the front and the rear of the engine, and probably that is what you heard. Before spending big bux on replacing seals, you need to know exactly where the leak originates. Oil has the habit of leaking from one spot and traveling around and dripping down some other place. I also suggest you visit a real engine repair shop, rather than a muffler/brake shop.

 

sounds like the intake manifold gasket/seal. the front and back of the intake maniflod are sealed with rvt and are prone to failure. it leaks down the back and gets all over the trany and anything from there back. if there is no oil under the trany converter inspection plate/cover then the back seal (hard one) is most likely ok.