Oil on top of Engine

[numero9]

90 Prizm, AF-4E. I've been noticing a very small but (noticeable enough) amount of oil sitting on top around the spark plug holes, especially around the top nubby thing (no idea what it is, arrowed from the top in the photo). There's a bit of oil on the left circled area too. Noticed some trace smoke from under the second arrow area after about a 50 mile drive, too. That might just be residual oil from a recent change, still has me on edge though. It was only noticeable when I had the hood up; no smoke pouring out by any means.

Checked the plugs and they are fine, just replaced those about 5,000 miles ago. I changed the oil yesterday, very little amount lost over the course of my last oil change; no spots or anything after leaving the car parked. Coolant level has been fine, but the car is sluggish of acceleration until hitting about 45 then it gets easier. This oil has me worried about a head gasket being blown, but I read all the symptoms and I don't seem to be having issues with coolant or oil -- I do however have trouble starting the car (usually starts and stumbles a bit on the 2nd go, or straight up on the 3rd).

Any ideas? I've never taken the cover off and have no idea how to start.

[SOHC-FTW]

spark plug seals on the vc a vc gasket set should come with them thats whats causing the oil on the tops of your plugs and most likley ur boots probly causing weak spark if any of it is in your boots.But as for the head gasket deal theres 2 ways of checking way one check and see if you have any water in your oil it will be a milky film,Way 2 check and see if you have oil in your raddatior or over fill tank will be same milky film.

[numero9]

Yeah, not milky at all or oil in the radiator/tank.

[SOHC-FTW]

yea id say take off your wires and check for oil in the boots,Was there oil ont the plugs when you took them out?also have you did a compression and leak down test on your engine?Also do you have any check engine light on?

[numero9]

No, that's the thing -- the plugs look fine, no oil at all. There's trace amounts around the hole but nothing at all on the boots or the plugs. No check engine light, but I haven't had any tests to it.

[SOHC-FTW]

cam seals could be the issue with the oil leak or simply a new valve cover gasket.But there somthing causing that chopy/weak issue can you tell any diffrence in your gas milage plugs smell gasy anything out of the ordnairy?

[numero9]

Plugs smell fine, I'm thinking I'm getting less mpg but it could be my imagination. I'm going to track it next time I get gas. The bottom of the engine is greasy, I'll clean it off probably to get a better idea of where its leaking. I really have to floor the accelerator until reaching 45 to get going at a decent speed.

[SOHC-FTW]

think you could have the firing order off?or coulda jump timing?because your losing power somewhere sounds like your dizzy could be going out.What alls been changed like with in lets say 3-4k and when did this problem start and what did you do b4 it started?

[numero9]

The oil problem is relatively new, I'd say 1,000mi after the new plugs. The power has improved with the new plugs and various fluid changes, but it's still really sluggish.

[SOHC-FTW]

well id try and check for codes your engine could just be losing compression from old age it happens how many miles are on it and does it smoke?And you can go to autozone they have the rent a tool deal get a compression tester test each cyl if its 10-15psi off from each cyl say youve got 160psi on number one cyl and 145psi on number 2 it would be losing power and time for new rings.But after you get done with the compression tester which i think is 40bux you can take it back and get all your money back i allways compression test my engines every few months to make sure there in good shape.

[numero9]

147000 miles, it was smoking just a little bit under the manifold exhaust cover but I thought it was just left over oil that leaked out when I changed the filter. Still smells a little oily though, no smoke lately. I'll check out AutoZone