Head gasket leak?..or??

[ScottSneed]

Have this what appears to be an oil leak coming from the 6th cylinder area. PO had the head gasket done recently as we'll as a resurfaced head.

Just got my interior done so this is a Bummer!

Any ideas?




Pics of the interior for kicks

[E30_fiend]

To be honest, that's pretty normal of an m20. Only way I've seen to get around that is use of copper gasket spray and planing not just the head but the black mating surface as well.


Taylor

[Mthrizzle]

also check the cam plugs on the back of the valve cover to ensure its not leaking down from the back of the valve cover

[ScottSneed]

Head gasket leak?..or??

Will check it out for more leaks tomorrow.

Was thinking it might be the head bolts?
Hoping its just the valve cover, was gonna adjust the valves and get a new gasket as well.

[sfulmer16]

is it a 2.5 or 7?

[nando]

if that's the extent of your leak I'd just leave it alone.

[ScottSneed]

The leak is pissing me off! I can't leave it alone :(

It's a 2.7

[dougie30]

Mine leaks in the exact same spot and i just did the hg and used copper spray

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[E30_fiend]

Was thinking it might be the head bolts?

just read this again. You did replace the head bolts with new ones right?


Taylor

[ScottSneed]

just read this again. You did replace the head bolts with new ones right?


Taylor

PO had it done, might take it back to the shop where he had it done. Less than 3 mos ago

[ScottSneed]

Just called the shop, they said to check the valve cover and that they used new bolts. Doing the timing belt soon, so well see more clearly.

[E30_fiend]

Unless they can show you a receipt that shows the bought new bolts, I wouldn't trust their word. See if you can get them to email you a copy of the parts invoice or labor invoice. Those bolts absolutely need to be replaced every time the head is pulled off. Most shops don't know or care.


Taylor

[E30_fiend]

Unless they can show you a receipt that shows the bought new bolts, I wouldn't trust their word. See if you can get them to email you a copy of the parts invoice or labor invoice. Those bolts absolutely need to be replaced every time the head is pulled off. Most shops don't know or care.


Taylor

[E30_fiend]

Also, I don't suspect your valve cover as the culprit. In your first picture you can clearly see that your head is dry and no oil is present. If it was your valve cover, you would have an oil trail down the side of the head from the valve cover. The same goes for the rocker shaft plugs. You would see some sort of residual oil residue. I see none here.


Taylor

[jeffnhiscars]

Just called the shop, they said to check the valve cover and that they used new bolts. Doing the timing belt soon, so well see more clearly.

If you don't think they replaced the timing belt when they had the head off then why take their word on the head bolts