OIl leak Just below the exhaust manifold.

Fiatracertracer · Post by **Fiatracertracer** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 7:09 am

I have several oil leaks that I am trying to deal with.

I know that I need oil seals and I plan to get those done soon to eliminate any oil coming from those places along with the breather hose tubing, but one leak in particular is puzzling me.

I don't know where it could be coming from.

This leak is right below the exhaust manifold.

The long horizontal 5/8" diameter (approx.) tube that sits just below the exhaust manifold and comes from what looks to be the water pump, is wet with oil.

Also, I noticed that one of the exhaust manifold studs has oil on it and I can't see the rest of the studs so I don't know if they are wet too. The wet stud is the one that is closest to the number 1 cylinder.

Also, I have noticed that below the distributor, the distributor shaft is wet with oil residue.

Has anyone ever experienced oil leaks around these areas and how did you repair them?

toplessexpat · Post by **toplessexpat** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 7:13 am

Is there oil on the side of the cam tower?

Fiatracertracer · Post by **Fiatracertracer** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 7:16 am

Where is that located exactly?

Fiatracertracer · Post by **Fiatracertracer** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 7:27 am

OK. I think I found the location of the cam tower...... if it is the same as the valve cover, then no, there is no noticeable oil leak around that area

toplessexpat · Post by **toplessexpat** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 7:34 am

If your looking over the side of your engine bay from the passenger side, and at the exhaust manifold, it's the piece that sits above the manifold that has the exhaust cam inside. You'll see the cam pulley on the right (probably under the cam cover) and the distributor on the left.

There's several gaskets here as the engine is sandwiched together in layers. One, usually a rubber one, that sits under the valve cover (the very top piece of the engine you can see). This gasket can sometimes get pushed out from under the valve cover, especially if the valve cover is over tightened. Once distorted it can leak. Simple to replace, unscrew the valve cover, replace, and gently screw up the cover.

Looking downwards, before you get to the exhaust, there's another gasket (a matching pair each side of your engine). This is a bit more involved to replace. You need to loosen off the exhaust cam tower. Once it's back together there's a good chance that your valve lash will have changed (unless the new gasket is exactly the same height as the old one!) so you may need to look at the exhaust shims...

And then getting lower there's the head gasket.

... But first things first. Clean down that side with carb cleaner, and work out where the oil is coming from! Is it a lot or a little? Does it take a while to appear or not? Post a picture when you've worked that bit out....and there's many people on here to help!

Good luck. None of the above jobs are hard with patience and the shop manual(!), with the exception valve lash (and that's all about tools and methodology)

A

Fiatracertracer · Post by **Fiatracertracer** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 7:49 am

toplessexpat wrote:If your looking over the side of your engine bay from the passenger side, and at the exhaust manifold, it's the piece that sits above the manifold that has the exhaust cam inside. You'll see the cam pulley on the right (probably under the cam cover) and the distributor on the left.

There's several gaskets here as the engine is sandwiched together in layers. One, usually a rubber one, that sits under the valve cover (the very top piece of the engine you can see). This gasket can sometimes get pushed out from under the valve cover, especially if the valve cover is over tightened. Once distorted it can leak. Simple to replace, unscrew the valve cover, replace, and gently screw up the cover.

Looking downwards, before you get to the exhaust, there's another gasket (a matching pair each side of your engine). This is a bit more involved to replace. You need to loosen off the exhaust cam tower. Once it's back together there's a good chance that your valve lash will have changed (unless the new gasket is exactly the same height as the old one!) so you may need to look at the exhaust shims...

And then getting lower there's the head gasket.

... But first things first. Clean down that side with carb cleaner, and work out where the oil is coming from! Is it a lot or a little? Does it take a while to appear or not? Post a picture when you've worked that bit out....and there's many people on here to help!

Good luck. None of the above jobs are hard with patience and the shop manual(!), with the exception valve lash (and that's all about tools and methodology)

A

Wow Toplesexpat, thank you so much for responding, I do appreciate the assistance.

I will clean off the oil and see where it is coming from. I can get the gasket for the valve cover and i know that I can do that with confidence.

But if it's the gasket that is below that one, the one that is held down by the exhaust cam tower, replacing that one looks to be very involved. Will the timing belt have to come off?

If so then, I do not feel comfortable about removing and replacing that one. I have trepidation regarding the removal and replacement of timing belts.

toplessexpat · Post by **toplessexpat** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 8:50 am

Not a problem.... I'm currently sat in the exhaust shop getting a new header fitted to my 1800, so I can pop out and cross reference easily!

Yes, the timing belt would have to come off. But - think through the preparation carefully, have the right tools, and that is perfectly doable by the home mechanic (heck, even I can do it!)

Let's find the source of the leak first though, and the quantity.....

Good luck

Andy

narfire · Post by **narfire** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 9:30 am

After cleaning, also watch the two top studs that hold the manifold in place. The hole the studs screw into go through and into the top of the head where oil can pool and then over time seep down the stud and onto the manifold. Another common issue that is easy to fix. Double nut the stud, screw it out, clean it (I wire wheel) and add some thread sealant and put it back.
Hardly a one can of installation fluid evolution.

Chris

Fiatracertracer · Post by **Fiatracertracer** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 10:50 am

Andy, I will do as you say and begin the process of cleaning the area where the leak is and then begin to monitor the area so that I can find the source of the leak.

Chris, I noticed that the first stud, the one closest to the number one cylinder, as being wet with oil .... is this one of the studs that you speak of?

toplessexpat · Post by **toplessexpat** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 3:22 pm

Yep - you may not have a single leak/ooze ... So happy cleaning!

2500diesel · Post by **2500diesel** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 6:00 pm

If it makes you feel better, you're not alone. I'll be starting my oil leak hunt soon. I have at least two, possibly as many as four to hunt down and terminate with prejudice.

Fiatracertracer · Post by **Fiatracertracer** » Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:46 am

OK.... So far I only see oil dripping from the first manifold stud, the one that is neatest the number one cylinder.

toplessexpat · Post by **toplessexpat** » Sun Sep 14, 2014 10:44 am

If that's all you see, double nut the stud, remove it, clean it, thread seal it, and reinsert.

I'd be interest in how oil is getting to your distributor shaft though from there

A

Fiatracertracer · Post by **Fiatracertracer** » Sun Sep 14, 2014 12:48 pm

toplessexpat wrote:If that's all you see, double nut the stud, remove it, clean it, thread seal it, and reinsert.

I'd be interest in how oil is getting to your distributor shaft though from there

A

Ok. I'll double nut the stud and remove it then clean it and reinstall it, and when I do reinstall it at what torque shall I tighten it down to?

Also, what do you recommend for a thread seal in a high temperature environment?

The the leak around the distributor shaft is not a major concern for me because It looks like it is not a fast leak, but a leak non the less and I would like to know how to seal that one also.

I noticed that the oil pan may be leaking also, what could be the cause of it, new gasket? It looks like that it may have been sealed with multiple colored RTV gasket matrerial..... Red, blue, black.

toplessexpat · Post by **toplessexpat** » Sun Sep 14, 2014 1:29 pm

My shop manual says 18ft/lbs for the exhaust manifold. Even if you're not intending doing a mountain of work, they're a good investment.

Edit: Thread sealant - Permatex High Temp

Distributor wise - I'm not the smartest guy on those. When mine start giving up, I replace them with dizzy-less ignition.

On the oil pan - multiple legacy gasket colors would suggest to me a long term issue that will gently weep onwards and may one day result in some remedial work. In the meantime keep an eye on the oil level and if you start using a lot, address then. Oh - and a strip of cardboard in the garage

A

OIl leak Just below the exhaust manifold.

OIl leak Just below the exhaust manifold.

Re: OIl leak Just below the exhaust manifold.

Re: OIl leak Just below the exhaust manifold.

Re: OIl leak Just below the exhaust manifold.

Re: OIl leak Just below the exhaust manifold.

Re: OIl leak Just below the exhaust manifold.

Re: OIl leak Just below the exhaust manifold.

Re: OIl leak Just below the exhaust manifold.

Re: OIl leak Just below the exhaust manifold.

Re: OIl leak Just below the exhaust manifold.

Re: OIl leak Just below the exhaust manifold.

Re: OIl leak Just below the exhaust manifold.

Re: OIl leak Just below the exhaust manifold.

Re: OIl leak Just below the exhaust manifold.

Re: OIl leak Just below the exhaust manifold.