Linda,
My knowledge of oil leaks is mostly related to paying for my A&P to work on it. The silicon gaskets greatly reduced my oil leaks. But I can't remember now what they were gaskets for. (Rocker box covers? (whatever they are!) maybe?) Later, John and John Wright told me that the silicon gaskets break down after several years (?5, ?7) and the Wrights had shifted to something else. An old thing I'd heard recommended was to clean the engine like Bill Biggs said, then dust it lightly with talcum powder. Then run the engine for a short time then look for leak traces. That old recommendation said, if needed, to take off and fly once around the patch and land, then check for leak traces. I never tried this because I had concerns about that powder around the engine and my leaks weren't that bad after putting on the silicon gaskets. Be sure that the hose from your oil breather goes up and over the right side cylinders before exiting the bottom of the cowl. That short up hill section reduces oil blow out by a lot. Be sure the gasket on the oil dip stick / oil filler cap is good and doesn't leak. I've heard it said a bad gasket on this this is a major cause of the first half quart or more blowing out quickly. Ed
