Ok I have my 85 22rec 4x4 the engine might have 6k on the engine and suddenly my oil is disappearing. I have a funky leak coming from the front of the engine above the water pump and below where the head connects to the timing cover. I cannot for the life of me see exactly where it's coming from and it seems to only leak when the truck is running I just went on a 130 mile trip at the cost of a half quart of 10-40 . It's not pouring out but the whole front is wet and there is a little "pool" on the top of the water pump. . I replaced the oil pan gasket and timing gaskets thinking it'll fix it . The answer to that was no it didnt. Can a leak like that cause that much oil loss? Is it possible my timing cover is actually cracked or broke? I need help with this bad my only other thought is my pcv valve isn't functioning properly and not evacuating the crank gasses well enough and it's escaping. So any thoughts please would be helpfull

 

Before you install the head, you need to install some sealant on the corners of the head and timing cover. I wonder if the PO forgot to do that step.

 

The head was fine its not really in the corners but more like directly under the "hidden" top bolt the engine was leak free for the first couple thousand miles the I noticed the trickle I'm having trouble with. The new engine sat for 3 years before running which prompted me to put new gaskets on due to age and cracking

 

I have a tough time getting those half moon seals to seal up even with using sealant. If in the past, someone just changed the timing chain, it is possible to wrinkle or bend the head gasket, I have done that myself. The hidden bolt goes into the timing chain cover is where it sounds to me that you are talking about.

 

If memory serves some of the bolts on the timing cover require

-blue rtv for water pump
-black rtv for some timing cover bolts

I believe you just put some rtv on the threads etc...