Hi, I have a 1990 Subaru Legacy L Sedan with the stock engine (2.2L EJ22/E), and occasionally, thin white smoke will seep out of the passenger side of the hood. I'm also leaking oil (but who isn't?), and I think oil is leaking onto the exhaust header and burning off. I don't really have any clue where the leak is actually coming from, though. I've already replaced the valve cover gaskets, and that didn't really do anything. I've kept her filled up with oil, so the engine still runs fine, but I would some day like to actually have it fixed. 

Check the back side of the passenger head. There is a cam shaft retainer cap thingy that has to bolts holding it on. Inside that cap is a a large o-ring. That will get cracked and leak a lot of times and it will drip on your exhaust.

Edited June 8, 20169 yr by gravitate

Also can be the classic oil separator plate leak. On these 90s motors they were plastic and would leak over time.  They drip between engine and trans right onto the exhaust.

 

Unless it's a larger leak it's harmless. Just keep your oil topped off and you're good to go. It's about a $30 fix with a dealer upgraded stainless steel part if you even have the engine or trans out.

Also can be the classic oil separator plate leak. On these 90s motors they were plastic and would leak over time.  They drip between engine and trans right onto the exhaust.

 

Unless it's a larger leak it's harmless. Just keep your oil topped off and you're good to go. It's about a $30 fix with a dealer upgraded stainless steel part if you even have the engine or trans out.

 

actually, the 1990 had a cast plate, not plastic. but yeah, they can and do leak (sealant gives out with age)

 

definitely check that cam shaft retainer cap.