have oil around the front bottom end of my engine and sides I will post pics I have consulted 4 different mechanics and have been told need a new head gasket or valve cover gasket and timing cover seal but my car runs great just want to prevent anything bad from happening if it is my head gasket then woul like to change it before it blows im a single mom I cant afford to lose my car thank you

 

Welcome to ZDriver!

I doubt it's the head gasket unless someone recently did a head gasket job for you... at the front cover / head there isn't any pressure, so the head gasket wouldn't just start leaking unless a new one was installed improperly.

So yes, it would either be the valve cover gasket, or timing cover crank seal. The valve cover gasket is simple, and you could probably do it yourself or have a neighbor do it (it takes a flat head screwdriver or gasket scraper, 10mm socket/ratchet, and a few rags). The crank seal isn't too difficult, but quite time consuming due to the accessory belts and lack of working room.

What's your location? Maybe a fellow ZDriver member could help you out?

 

If it's still running smooth and there aren't any bubbles it the radiator then it isn't the headgasket. If the oil isn't running out around the valve cover then it is't the vc gasket. Check closely around the crank pulley to see if it is possibly the front seal. If the mechanic can't see this then take to someone else because you are being led on to a huge repair bill.

 

old cars, shucks. Dive in, get dirty, degrease the motor (front portion) and look for leaks again when it's running. Slow oil leaks are manageable. Large ones speak to more serious issues. If oil is pooling under the car I'd look for a bad front main oil seal, or one that's improperly installed. These cars leak oil around the timing cover, the headgasket, the valve cover, the oil pan, the oil pump, the PCV breather pipe, the timing chain inspection cover...lots of areas.