valve seals go bad and they leak at startup/idle, so I would start there as well, As far as working on your car, the valve cover check could be done in a 1-2 hr time, I would go to the nearest park and do it there, if anyone ask's you broke down while there relaxing/swinging playing basketball (even put a ball in the back seat and have on some sweats/shorts) should work on a quick looky loo deal, ghetto as hell though.