Hi everybody, new vehicle, new forum. I recently got a 90 Bronco. Soon to post pics. 302, AOD trans, I think. This thing sat for three years. As many people do (I've not figured out why) when the fuel pump went out they parked it and just never got around to fixing it. Needless to say now it needs more than just the fuel pump. I replaced the pump, filter, and all the other stuff you're supposed to do. Fired her up and WOW! she purrrs like a kitten. When I picked the truck up the owner said one of the valve covers leaked so if I saw oil on the ground that's what it's from. I'm thinking, ok I might see a few drops. NO! After running for 15 minutes or so it leaves a puddle. Probably 1/2 cup easy. I thought, no way this is a valve cover. So I did an experiment. When I changed the oil, after the plug was back in and the filter on I poured the new oil in very fast. Fast enough that wouldn't drain down into the engine fast enough and it would flood the top of the head. I looked under the truck and guess what, a puddle of nice clean fresh oil, without ever starting the engine. I know it didn't overflow out the top. Has anyone had a similar thing happen? Any tips? I'm in the process of taking the driver side valve cover off. Unfortunately there's lots of stuff to remove just to get to it. Thank you in advance for any help. Eric

 

Suggest cleaning the heads below the valve covers and the oil pan below the pan gasket. Fresh oil will typically "clean" the path it flows through but its often easier to see fresh oil once the crud has been removed. I'd bet your leak is lower than the valve covers. Follow up from the puddle and look for fresh oil traces down the pan or the frame crossmember.

By the way, if you think the driver's side valve cover removal is tedious, just wait 'til you get to the passenger side UNDER the upper intake plenum! (The PCV valve is mounted in the passenger side cover as well, again UNDER the upper plenum.)