Hows it going guys, I baught a 2003 silverado 1500 2wd with the 4.8 motor about 3 months ago. It has had a slow leak of oil since ive owned it, but since I got a good deal I wasnt too worried about it. Since then it has had some trouble starting, replaced the spark plugs which helped but barely. This is not the main problem however, i can always get it to start after cranking for a bit. I will post some pictures of where the oil is coming from and a picture of under the oil cap.

Following are some of my issues:
Oil is leaking between the block and head on the drivers side. Very slow leak, but it is leaking.
Decently rough idle when stopped.
Is the picture of the oil cap normal? Its more brown/ whiteish than it was when I changed oil.
Trans shifts hard from first to second, not sure if this could be related, but it is a new issue. Did not think it could be related but oil is all over the bell housing and maybe could cause an issue?

Things that make me think it is not a blown head gasket:
No more white smoke than normal.
No bubbles in coolant resivour.
No air puffs coming from under oil cap when cap is removed.

I was planning on buying one of those exhaust testers that you hook up to the radiator, but im not sure where the cap is to test that. If anyone has has a similar problem or any suggestions please let me know. Trying to save as much money as possible since i am a college student, and I can do most car projects myself....Was planning on rebuilding a 5.3 this summer...
How hard are they to replace in an 03 silverado without pulling the engine?
Please let me know what you guys think this is I appreciate it.

 

Have you changed the pcv valve?

 

I have not, could that fix the problem?

 

Just finished changing it, old one was clogged completely

 

Did that fix your issue?

 

It did not, last night i notinoticed much mimo than average white smoke from the exhaust, thinking its blown now