1989 3.0 MT - 254K
Engine feels good, runs good and doesn't seem to have any overheat problems. PO told me it had the headgasket done already. That said, the engine is an oil soaked mess. I've got oil up ON the valve covers, all the way down to the bottom and on the bell housing. I'm hoping at some point the PO did work and didn't tighten the valve covers well enough. I'm thinking about tackling it somewhat systematically. Starting at the top, I think I'll start with a deep wash - simple green soak and low pressure power wash. Couple rounds of that.

1st fix - Valve Covers and Dist. O ring. see how. where oil comes back. When pulling the plenum, I understand I should do the following:
Pleunum gasket
PCV Valve
PCV grommet
EGR Valve gasket
Cold Start Injector gasket

Is there anything else I should tackle while I am in that deep? Clean the throttle body? Given the age, are there specific or just bulk roll vac hose I should be prepared to replace? Fuel hose/fittings?

I also need to do the seal/gasket between the exhaust manifold and the exhaust down pipe, again I hope it was just the PO not tightening, but that connection smokes more than just burning off dripped oil.

 

might replace the oil filler cap gasket, which could be the source of the oil on that driver side valvecover.

 

I'm coming from 240 volvos and the old red blocks. On those when we had PCV issues you would see over pressure in the valve covers pushing oil out everywhere, including filler cap. Similar issue with the 3.0? We'd test pressures by throwing a rubber glove over the filler when running, inflate = problem, suck down = good.

 

Sorry, your problem isn't a few loose fasteners. IF there was a point when someone was running with loose valve cover gasket screws, or loose exhaust bolts, those gaskets have since been ruined.

But right now you have no idea whether you're looking at a very simple problem or a big one. Simple Green and a VERY careful pressure wash would be good. I lean instead toward spray-on engine degreaser and a simple garden hose. You might have to use an ex's tooth brush a bit. Once the engine is sparkling clean, run it for a few minutes. Remember that gravity is not your friend (every leak looks like the main seal), and the fan will blow loose oil all over the place. Get a good light and look carefully.

 

I don't think I have a huge problem, but a messy one. It certainly is possible that I have an RMS issue, but given the oil up high in bulk there is clearly a leak there. There are enough spots without oil that it's unlikely that it's all fan spread.
Spray and sit degreaser and soft rinse is probably a smart option. I've got a couple long flexible brushes (think wired and racoon tail shaped) that I think I can get into most spaces as well.

Also, big problem just means 3.4 sooner.

 

This...always this haha

My big leak down the bottom of my 3vz was the oil cooler on the drivers side bottom of the lock. o-ring kit is super cheap but getting that thing off will take some ingenuity. I would recommend what someone mentioned above, clean it well and then determine where your biggest leaks are and go from there.