I had some misfire CELs appear on my 94 es300 so I replaced all the spark plugs as well as cleaned the TB and ICV. I thought I'd change the rear valve cover while I had the plenum off to address a problem where I'd smell burning oil in the cabin at idle.
I did all the work and put everything back together, I had a major leak so I tore everything down again. This time I used a thin layer of high temp rtv around the head where the cover mounts. This time no major leak, no puddles on the garage floor but still the smell. I drove around to burn-off the oil from the first attempt. Still had the smell, still no puddles. I can put my hand on the back of the motor and feel up and down, my hand stays dry. I drove the car about 18 miles yesterday, still stinky at idle, no puddles/drips in the garage.
I put the car out last night (-10 overnight) and then started it this morning. I let it run for a few minutes then moved it into the garage (heated to be around 45 degrees) and left for work in another car. I got home tonight and went out to 'run' the es and backed it out into the driveway. There was a puddle of oil about a foot wide. I drove it for 15 miles and its back in the garage. I'm waiting for it to drip, but so far nothing.
I'm getting pretty good at tear down, took me about 35minutes last time to get to the point where to take the rear cover off. Doesn't mean I want to do it again though. ;)
I can deal with the smell but not the puddle. Any tricks on the rear cover? Should I use a thick layer of rtv?