I just put the optispart back on last night after changing the cap and rotor, and now I have oil accumulating at the very bottom of it. The seal in the timing cover is virtually new (12,000 miles), and there was no hint of oil anywhere when I removed the opti. There are, I think, 3 small holes in the bottom of the opti housing, and it looks like the oil is collecting here. Are these drain holes of some kind? If so, where do they drain from? Around the optispark seal, or where? Is there oil inside my opti now? I can't believe this, that seal was fine...

 

you probably nicked the seal when you were removing it or reinstalling it. the oil is inside your opti. you will have to replace the seal.

 

How does oil get inside the opti? Well, I guess it could if water can , but I would guess it is dripping down the back of it.

 

I bet it's your water-pump drive-shaft seal.

 

In that area....

2 o-rings seal the opti shaft off from Oil
same with the water pump 2 o ring seals for it too.

Make sure u use high temp orings or they will harden and break, or use the ones that come with them.