Slow oil leak on Gen 2

I guess that's a good point, it's got 247,000. Just an old one. That said I was considering applying a bead of gasket maker on the seam on the outside just to see if it would subdue the leak, even temporarily. Would help me diagnose.

 

I think that you may be right about the rear main seal. If so any recommendations on oil additives to soften the gasket? Perhaps even torque specs for the bolts to see if If any are loose? At this point those are my options, other than letting it drip. I'm too inexperienced and don't have the tools to do the job properly. Not worth it for the age as well.

 

Thank you kindly for that information. The next step is UV dye since the leak is so slow, I am unable to tell where it's coming from. Will post pictures when it is done. Regardless I do believe it is either the previously mentioned seam or the rear main seal. Repairing just sounds like a pain. Thank you all for the fantastic information, It is much appreciated.

 

Update:
So I replaced the PCV valve just for the heck of it, and not the leak which was actively dripping is now barely forming a drop! While it does drip anymore, there is still an extremely slow leak. With the knowledge that you all have do you have any other suggestions about parts I can clean or replace to improve this situation? Maybe oil sensors or even solenoids? I am not too savvy when it comes to those parts interacting with oil pressure and causing a leak. Just know that the PCV valve replacement made a very significant impact on the leak.

On a side note I was not able to find any torque specs for the PCV valve and essentially just tightened it similarly to the original, leaving some threads exposed. This feels wrong to me, any suggestions?

I will still follow up with UV dye but I have a feeling that this may be a pressure issue causing seals to fail.

 

UPDATE:

Used UV dye, unfortunately, it appears that the leak is coming from the exact spot it is building up at. I found no other indications of it leaking from any other seams. Please see the photos that are attached. I do see a small 'hole' along the seam that is shown in the pictures, have no clue if this adds to the issue or not.

My proposed solution is to leave it. It is so so so slow now upon replacing the PCV valve oddly enough. Unless there are any further suggestions to replace similar parts as the PCV valve or perhaps even clean the tube it connects to, then I will leave this issue to rest. I am going to tighten down the PCV valve a bit more in the future and keep an eye on the oil level. Unless this sub has any way forward I am afraid I just have a leaky Prius.