Classic m20 head gasket oil leak? but there is so much oil!

[zaq123]

ARP studs- those are fine thread, and if you torque them to anywhere near what ARP says to, the head itself gets... squished.

Or maybe even cracked. I agree, a return hole should seep or drool- not pool up like that.

UV time?

t

I don't think 70 ft/lbs will crack your head if torqued properly..... Why would you think that it would?

PS. One just needs to keep an eye on washers that are touching the head. It has to remain static as given torque value is there to overcome nut/stud/washer friction and not washer/head friction which can be small enough to over torque the assembly. If the washer is spinning on the head surface with the nut, stop and address the issue. Mark those washers and keep an eye on them while torquing the nut

[jeffnhiscars]

I had that exact leak on my 2.5. Turned out to be the cam seal

[Andre3127]

I have oil that collects on the head gasket tabs like that, but it's from a valve cover that I cannot get to fully seal.

At first the rocker shaft lock tab was sitting up above the head holding the valve cover up, but when I fixed that issue, it still won't seal fully even with new gaskets and gasket maker applied on both sides. I think the valve cover is warped from being powder coated multiple times (color changes).

The valve cover is pretty thin and long, and it can actually flex very easily. Even if it was warped, the valve cover bolts should have no issue pulling it straight and onto the gasket.

Mine always leaked even with a new gasket. I use gasket and RTV and the leak is much better. I have just come to the conclusion that m20's will always leak in that corner!

[digger]

Bolting it down only clamps around the bolt area. Between the bolts the cover applies far less pressure. There are not many bolts.

personally if you use non hardening permatex brown paste and you still get leaks then it is incorrect preload. You need to periodically retorque several times to get it to retain preload in my experience as the gasket relaxes

[Digitalwave]

What is the torque spec?

[digger]

It’s like 10 or 11ftlb but check the Bentley

[Andre3127]

Bolting it down only clamps around the bolt area. Between the bolts the cover applies far less pressure. There are not many bolts.

personally if you use non hardening permatex brown paste and you still get leaks then it is incorrect preload. You need to periodically retorque several times to get it to retain preload in my experience as the gasket relaxes

Yup, BMW's blunder on the valve cover was the lack of bolts. I also use that brown permatex on drain plugs, it really seals nicely and also prevents corrosion from what I've seen.

I have considered milling an O-ring groove into one of my spares, just havent gotten around to it yet.

[e30vert]

Do you know the torque spec for the valve cover?

11 foot pounds. Torque in a star pattern starting with the middle lower nuts.