Oil leak on the intake side [solved]

[ekstrandt]

So I've had this leak since I bought the car a year ago. In that time I have replaced cam tower seals, cam cover seals, head gasket, and have just replaced the intake gasket. Did not leak with engine reving at 3- 4000 rpm but went to idle and then a big drop came out at the juncture of the head gasket and the intake just below the shiny new bolt in the picture. What am I missing?



Here Is a picture of the block from the head gasket replacement.



Can't find pictures of the head but it was clean and flat.

[bradartigue]

If that is the block surface prior to installing the gasket then it isn't clean enough. You still have old head gasket on there. You may try to re-torque what you have, but I'd remove it and clean the thing. Use a wire brush on a drill, get after that old residue until you don't see it any more.

[ekstrandt]

It was clean, no residue from gasket. Quality german made head gasket installed. Head bolts re-torqued after few hundred miles.

[fiatfactory]

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[bradartigue]

It was clean, no residue from gasket. Quality german made head gasket installed. Head bolts re-torqued after few hundred miles.

Did it leak before you re-torqued the bolts?

[ekstrandt]

Steve

Did not use a stone on the surfaces but will keep that one in mind. It is not all that old of a car and the machining marks were still clear on the mating surfaces no nicks or smooth areas. In other words looked completely factory not touched before. The shiny look is the indian head gasket shellac, I would hate to be the guy who has to take them back off (I probably will be though). There was no change in the oil leak so went for the head gasket after. Intake studs replaced and thread sealant used (permatex). Intake and exhaust left on the head when removed so I do not think i could have bumped cam box.

Brad

Good question and to be honest I do not remember. Head gasket replaced last November, then lots of body work over the winter (rust ) after running around to body shops for estimates. I did the head re-torque without even thinking to look at why I had replaced the head gasket (rookie move). What are you thinking to ask that question?

[ekstrandt]

Steve

It appears that you where right. I checked the torque on the cam box and found one not tight enough. Thanks for making me second guess myself. Now how to add solved to the post name...

[bradartigue]

Steve

It appears that you where right. I checked the torque on the cam box and found one not tight enough. Thanks for making me second guess myself. Now how to add solved to the post name...

That's great, its the easiest of the two options.

Why I asked: it helps to know the last time such a thing was done as it would help us identify when the problem started.

[ScoopMan]

I just picked up a 1971 Spider with the 1608 that is absolutely hemmoraging oil from somewhere around the intake cam box. So much oil that I cannot yet tell where it is coming out of. Gross! The car is excellent cosmetically but was apparently not too well mechanically maintained by the PO. I think I will start by retorquing everything, degreasing and see where it is happening. No idea when the timing belt was changed, so when I do that it will be the perfect opportunity to replace the cam box gaskets if that is indeed where the leak is. Going through various threads on the subject it seems that there are various schools of thought on whether or not to use sealants. If retorquing does not solve it and I need to take it apart, it will probably be a good idea to check flatness of mating surfaces.