Oil leak and smoke when oil is full

[Wret]

I've noticed that the valve lifters are MUCH quieter when I keep the oil full to the maximum (not over full), but I've noticed smoke while the car is running, as if oil is dripping on the exhaust system. It's especially evident at stop lights and smoke can be seen coming out of the passenger side air vent. I don't see any actually pooling or dripping under the parked car. It only seems to occur while running.

Anyone have any experience with this or suggestions where the oil is leaking?

[The Radium King]

broken oil fill pipe?

[san rensho]

Leaking spark plug tubes or leaking valve cover. Don't let it go. Oil on a hot manifold ignites very easily and burns a long time.

[healthservices]

crawl under the car and find out

[thstone]

You may have to pull off the panels under the car and/or inspect the engine compartment to find out what's really leaking. In my case, it was the power steering hoses dripping fluid onto the engine. Never saw a single drop under the car, it was either burned off on the engine or caught by the underpanels.