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I was checking the fluids on my 2005 STR today and I noticed that it looked like a bit of oil was leaking, I thought it was the valve cover gasket but I saw what looked like a screw missing and oil was leaking from it. Seems bazar for it to somehow come loose, at first I thought it was the supercharger oil plug but that is on the other side so now I'm curious if there's supposed to be a screw here or not, see the pictures
I can confirm, that is for the bolt you screw in to use the special Jag engine lift tool (or whatever you actually use when you don't want to spend hundreds for a funky piece of metal) to lift/support the engine. Used it when changing the front subframe in my XJ and I just left the bolts I used in. They don't really get in the way of anything.
Re: first picture.
You may have a big oil leak from the valve cover.
Yes, that looks like the observation alright.
Unless you've already done so and are well aware, I'd be pulling a few of the plastic covers off and having a good look.
I thought it was the valve cover gasket but I saw what looked like a screw missing and oil was leaking from it.
As the others have said, you most likely have a leak from the valve cover gasket and oil is collecting in that threaded hole. That looks to be a blind hole, i.e. it doesn't go all the way through. Poke an awl in there and it should hit bottom.
If you want further proof, clean the area thoroughly with some degreaser, including inside the hole. Let it dry, and then stuff something absorbent in there, such as a little bit of cotton or a piece of paper towel in there. Put a piece of tape over the hole, and then drive for a week or two. (You don't have to drive continuously all that time, in case I have to be specific...) Once the oil film reappears, peel off the tape and remove the absorbent material with a pair of tweezers. If the tape was still intact, and the mystery hole was somehow the source of the oil leak, the absorbent material would be soaked with oil. But I suspect you will find it dry as a bone.
Not sure if a screw is missing, STR engine
