Although tieing a cloth around your engine is thoughful, I would not reccommend doing that due to the fact you could catch something on fire. The problem with an oil leak is that it can be very hard to find. If your whole engine is coated it is likely from the front. The fact that you have a leak is obvious, the location is not. That is why it is best to clean your engine thoroughly first. The front upper timing seal is very common to leak, and when it is not remedied the side on which the exhaust manifold is located leaks a lot more. If you are getting oil on your exhaust manifold, it is likely it is coming from above or in front, the valve cover gasket is above the exhaust manifold and the timing cover seal is in front above the exhaust manifold. The head gasket is below the exhaust manifold so it is unlikely you have a head gasket failure if you are getting oil on the exhaust manifold. So go buy a valve cover gasket and new rubber for the bolts, and a new upper timing cover seal, the seal is abour $6 and the valve cover and bolt seals should be around $95. Replace those, clean your engine and watch for leaks. My engine was overfilled with oil and I had seal failures all over including front and rear mains, I replaced all these myself and now I switched to synthetic oil and I am leak free. Don't tie fabric around your engine, that is dangerous, do it right, take your time and be patient. Good luck!
Brian

__________________
Brian W. Heitman

www.MBCA.org/northtexas

Join MBCA!!!