[artistang]

Could a stopped up PCV valve cause oil to leak from the real main oil seal (if the dipstick doesnt lift up)?

[C J]

if you still need that answered then...yes, it could. the PCV valve directs some blowby back to the intake manifold. if you have excess blowby then in theory the rear main could leak/blowout. i normally saw valve cover gaskets leak first.

to check for excess blowby: with engine idling and warmed up. remove oil filler cap and check for pressure coming from opening. if pressure is present then you have too much blowby.
could be caused by plugged PCV and fresh air tube or bad rings. (could have other reasons but those are the ones that came to mind)

a slight vacuum is normal.

[artistang]

Well, I popped the hood briefly this moring before lighting out on an adventure, and could not locate the PCV valve........guess it's time to buy a manual.......

[C J]

yep,

the PCV valve should be driver's side rear of engine between firewall and intake manifold. a black tube is connected to it.

[pootitang]

I had a problem much like you described, the oil seperator(a stamped steel box like thingee,that the PCV valve fits into) had come loose from the metal tube that comes out of the block.
I would lose a lot of oil and when parked the oil would drip from what looked like the rearmain.
Oil leaks tend to run back and down, hope this helps.

[sleeper_inc]

I had the same issue, but it was because my valve cover was leaking. Just thought I'd throw it out there