My '89 Chevy pick-up has a severe oil leak. What could be the cause of the problem?

The leak is above the oil filter. The filter is not the problem, neither is the pressure sensor. Any suggestions would be appreciated.My '89 Chevy pick-up has a severe oil leak. What could be the cause of the problem?
Well likely just a gasket as long as its the valve cover not the head gasket its not bad at all probably 20 minutes or less.the cause could just be a bad seal but it could also have too much oil pressure..My '89 Chevy pick-up has a severe oil leak. What could be the cause of the problem?
It would depend on how fast it is leaking for one and when :Standing at idle in park,or while moving,or both ?


I would power wash the engine as best possible ,to get a clear view for a leak,Park it over some dry cardboard let it idle a while.Shut it off and look for a leak above the marks left on the cardboard .The same works for finding leaks after being driven a while .


Cardboard or white paper board is good for this just be sure it is placed under the engine and weighted down to stay in place.





I am leaning toward a valve cover gasket leak ,if it is leaking onto the head and running off down the block it should show burnt caked deposits on exhaust manifold side from all the heat .
I'd take a look right up the back of the block, and down the side the filter's on. It sounds like valve cover gasket. Not expenxive to fix. Other culprit in this area is the oil pressure sender unit..again not expensive
One of two other possible causes, head gasket leak or valve cover leak.
there must be a crack where the filter screws on or the oil is running down from the valve pans.