First of all, I want to thank everybody who's helped me either by pointing me in the direction to look or with hints on how to do it myself if it's this or that. You guys rule and I couldn't do it without you! :thumbsup
Here's where I am:
1) VC changed and holding. (I've checked it regularly)
2) Oil pan appears to be holding too. Oil coming from above the pan. (Yeah, about 2qts a month!)
3) definitely leaking from the firewall side, but here's what I noticed today,
!) I thought I saw some "smoke" after I first started the car (it's 75 here so it's NOT condensation) I got out and held my sunglasses up to the tailpipe and they would get puffs of steam on them. Tried this after the car was good and warmed up, still there. (no perceptible change in amount of steam either)
?>I know H2O is a side product of the cat, but could this be headgasket?
?>If I was leaking coolant/water into exhaust (ie HG), wouldn't my coolant level go down?
?>I have noticed an intermittent gurgling sound from under the dash (heater core?), could this be a sign of low coolant levels due to HG leakage?
I am trying to determine which way I'm going to have to go after this bastard, top->down (HG) or bottom->up (RMS) since I'm on a tight budget and I need all the input I can get before I get into the 420A this deep. As always, thanks a million guys! :7

If I were you, I would jack the car up and secure it, get under it and spray the block with carb cleaner on the back side to clean all the oil off. Then start the car and get underneath with a good light. You should be able to locate where its coming from that way. My guess is that its either your oil pressure sending unit or your headgasket if you are absolutely positive that the VC gasket isnt leaking.

just to help on a couple of questions....

if you were burning coolent, then yes..you levels should fall

my heater core gurgles all the time, no biggie.

i agree with ^^^^^ what he said as well.

I would'nt count the valve cover gasket 100% out. Remember that we re-used your old one, and when it was tightened down that little plastic brakcet that was caught between the head and the valve cover? Like ^^^ said, you relly need to wash the back of the motor. It makes serching for leaks a lot easier.

The vote has been taken brian.....clean 'er up!

could also be leaking from one of the sensors on the back of the block. i've had to use some rtv to seal a couple of them.

Thanks guys! I'll be heading to the carwash this weekend for sure! Then I'll post back what I find.:thumbsup

may be stupid, but check the oil pan gasket...that's what 0wned me...it looked like it was coming from above the oil pan, but i later figured out it was the wind blowing the leaking oil back up there and it dripped back down, making it look like it was something else.

I bet you its one of your cam sensors that are leaking.

Do you see oil by the alternator bracket that bolts to the back of the block?

That sucker gets me everytime.....


_________________
Vinnie Lima
vinnie.lima@jvllogistics.com
AIM: Kiku888
1997 Chrysler Sebring "Silver XTC"
I4 420a w/ HRC Stage 2.45 w/ FMIC
14.7@97 mph@6psi
Proud member of the
ASOG BoOsT JuNkIe Crew

Hey man, like mentioned above, make sure it's not one of the cam sensors. If you have definately rulled out the valve cover, it sounds like your head gasket to me. I was having the same problem as you and found oil comming down the back of the block. When I got her on a lift, I saw that it was comming from the left side...from the bottom of the head down to the cross member. I was leaking about half a quart every 2000 miles. I took it to the dealer last week and it was in fact the head gasket and it was replaced for free under the 5 year 60,000 mile drivetrain warranty(I have a 99 with 46,000 miles). Also, make sure it's not the oil pressure switch on the backside. Hope you figure it out and get it fixed.

Ooh! Even more help. This is great!:7
I'm going to get some card cleaner/degreaser tomorrow and spray the back side down at the car wash maybe tomorrow night, maybe Saturday, but here's some more questions for y'all...
1) Where's this oil pressure sending unit (specifically)? If I've never seen one before will I miss it?
2) Cam seals are at both ends correct? If so, pull the belt cover from the pass side to check behind the gears?
Also, I have double checked the VC and am at least 98% certain it is not leaking. I will wipe the edges tonight with a rag soaked in alcohol or something to remove any residue and check again in the AM and PM.
As usual, thanks a ton guys! I'll keep you posted and maybe do a write up for the rest of us noobs. Sort of a "Step by step, what to check" thing...:thumbsup

The oil sending unit is on the upper left side on the back of the block in front of the driver. It's not the one on the lower right side, I think that's a knock sensor.

I was referring to the cam "sensor" seals wich are on the right side of the valve cover when looking at the engine from above.