oil popping around manifold?

[BOVADDICT]

When I start my car I usually hear a small popping or bubbling noise and it goes away so I think nothign of it. Recently we took my heat shield off and just kinda spaced putting it back on. Today I went to start my car and the hood was up when I realized that there was a decent amount of oil just left of the valve cover on some small cylinder and there was tiny bubbles of oil seeping and making tiny bubbles on my exhaust manifold right by this cylinder and throught the entire gasket. What could this be and how would this affect my car? Would this have anything to do with the popping/studdering when I push boost when I floor it?

2g tsi awd talon 95 w/ 7 bolt engine manual w/ cruise.

[Jakey]

My first instinct is a blown valve cover gasket or cracked valve cover causing oil to leak on to your exhaust manifold.

[BOVADDICT]

Well I cleaned all around the valve cover gasket and I dont see any sign of seepage. There was oil there previous though. They arent that expensive so Ill check it out. Thanks

[Jakey]

There is this thing called gravity. You see, when you turn off your car, the combination of your oil pump ceasing activity and the fact that oil is a fluid leads to the oil draining back into your oil pan. So, the odds of oil leaking out around the valve cover with the engine off are pretty slim. What may be a good idea would be for you to start your car after cleaning around the base of the valve cover and then looking for leaks from cracks or blown gasket(s).

[joem]

Out for blood today Jakey?

[BOVADDICT]

I did do that.. I cleaned it then ran it.. didnt see leaks at all. All i saw was lil oil popping around the manifold. Ill get a new gasket.. Anyway, If that doesnt fix it what else could it be?

[Jakey]

If a new gasket doesn't take care of it, your valve cover may be cracked. If it is currently not cracked but you over torque the valve cover bolts after installing the new valve cover gasket, you stand a good chance of cracking it.

[Jakey]

Out for blood today Jakey?

Yep.

[scheides]

How much oil are we talking? When you say 'popping' it makes me think maybe you have a little oil around where your exhaust manifold meets the head. Have you had that off lately? Make sure all the bolts are torque'd correctly and/or check for broken studs.

[BOVADDICT]

Alright thanks guys. Im going to get a new gasket and when I replace it I will check all the bolts around it.

Jakey-Sounds wierd to say this but, Thanks.