A oil leak back front of the engine - Cars & Trucks

Without knowing the make of your car it would be difficult to narrow down. With that said if it is a 2000-2004 Chevrolet then what you are seeing may not necessarily be oil. Check the power steering fluid. If it is low first top it up. From the power steering there is a low pressure line, this line runs down, along the passenger side frame and across the radiator and back again. This is to help cool the fluid. Just behind the passenger tire you will notice a plastic plate. This plate is to help keep debris out of the pulley area. This plate rubs against the power steering line wearing it down through time creating a very small pin hole. This hole will allow fluid to leak while sitting and blow out will driving. Chevrolet power steering fluid looks a lot like oil especially after an oil change. If it is not your power steering then you are looking at 1 or 2 things...(1) oil pan gasket or (2) lower intake manifold gasket both are about $600 to repair. The parts are not that expensive but the labor is about 3-4 hours. I don't recommend changing either if you are not an experience mechanic. The power steering line is relatively an easy fix. Simply cut the line just before it is worn and cut the return just underneath. You will need 4 small claims and rubber hose (suitable for power steering). I suggest 4 but 2 will do (I prefer double clamping) clamp the house to the fresh cut and done. Make sure the house doesn't touch the belt (I suggest tie downs and tire it the frame).