2.5L Leaky valve cover gasket?

[92super4x4]

Hey guys I have a 2001 ranger 2.5L I4 and its got about 104,000 miles on it. Always regularly maintained. At 100,000 I did the plugs, wires and coolant and soon after noticed a smell of oil coming from the engine bay. I should tell you that when I did the plugs and wires I did remove the upper intake and replace the gaskets and put it back together, first time doing it that way, but pretty sure I did it right cause no other issues. Anyway Checked the oil after 3,000 miles and I was down almost a quart. This truck has never burned oil and has always ran well. I decided to change the oil today to see if I had a bad filter or a leak at the filter, nothing. Got under it and all around the motor with a flashlight and noticed that the valve cover seems to be leaking around both sides or looks that way anyway. My question is is this a common thing on these motors with this amount of miles to have the valve cover start leaking or was it something I did? I looked all roung the upper intake where I took it off and see no oil around there nor should there be oil flow around the intake correct? OK sorry for the long post, if anyway has the patience to read this whole thing and give me some advice I am very thankful.

 

[v8318cid]

Don't know if its common on these models, but with age and mileage, any gasket will leak. Now the amount of oil it leaks should be minor if its simply age affecting it. Otherwise, I'd suggest you check the bolts holding the cover down. I had a 92 that had a habit of "walking" the bolts out. When I first purchased it, the valve cover was pouring oil down the back end of the block. Replaced the gasket (high mileage and old gasket) and tightened the bolts. Oil consumption dropped dramatically. Valve guide seals were bad so it didn't stop entirely, but it helped.