Small leak, but where?

[HardTech]

I have noticed this in the last oil change that was about 400 miles ago. There was oil on the filter, it looked as if it spilled out from some where. But the truck did not show to be low. So where talking just enough oil to coat everything with a thin film.

Well thinking it was a fluke (seeing how I never noticed it before) I changed it and didn’t really look at it to much. Made sure the rubber seal came off with the oil filter, made sure the connection was clean, and then put a new one back up there making sure I put oil on the ring before hand. Put in the same oil its had since 105k miles (now at 130k) Moble1 syn if ya must know.

Well when pulling out of my parking space after work I notice a dime size oil spot. Seeing how I park in the same place this had to be mine. Got home checked the oil and its still full. Got under my car and low and behold oil on the oil filter again. I looked at it and it seems to be shiny above where the filter connects, and other parts of the car seem to be oily but not resent.

I know I have not explained well I am sure. This truck I love it, doesn’t burn oil and does no wrong. This is the first time its dropped any like of oil or liquid. So I just want to get an opinion to what people may think the problem is. So here’s the link to the pictures. I hope they describe what’s going on better than I can

http://www.hardtechreviews.com/images/personal/car/problem/

Sorry about the I res pictures. But this way you can get a good detailed look as to what I am looking at. Also this is the lowest res my camera will take

 

[93TwotoneXLT]

This is just a guess, but have you checked the timing cover for a possible leak? With the light film that you have it is possible that the fan is "blowing" the oil onto the underside front of the engine. Besides that, maybe the pan gasket? Hope this helps.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

I know sometimes I'll get oil in the ridge of the filter where it doesn't mount against the housing and so oil drips down. I've ran into something similar with my '00, but I have concluded that it was just oil from the filter surroundings.

-Drew

 

[HardTech]

Any other ideas, also how to test what it may be?

The transmission is in good shape, and the motor is in good shape. But somewhere theres a leak and I hate looking like I have a beater truck I plan to keep her well after I get a new car, so I really need to find this leak

So feel free to suggest what it may be, and how I may go about testing for that problem.