Manifold stud leaking?

[Volder]

Greetings from Denmark!


I suspect that I have a leaking manifold stud (or a HG ). Only thing is that it is the first stud closest to the radiator and not the upper two between cyl 1/2 and 3/4? Clould that be the case??

Thanks

[BEEK]

if the head gasket was leaking high pressure oil, it would be where the head meets the block in the corners and the middle. in those 6 areas there are oil passages. in these passages oil is at full pressure. I have had head gaskets blow out there, it was from revving the engine when very cold outside and not warming up the engine first. The oil was thick and pressure spiked and blew the copper ring right out of the head gasket. The result was a very fast leak. The oil was coming out at engine pressure and making a major puddle on the ground. this is not to say that you could have a slow leak at this mating point but not very likely. The other oil galleys are returns where the only pressure on them is the internal crankcase pressure. If the breather is not restricted there should be no pressure there to push any oil out except for a minor weep. This also goes for the studs the center 2 which are drilled into the crankcase return are of the head, Oil will pool up there and gravity and mild crankcase pressure will cause them to leak, more annoying than anything because of the smoke on the manifold as the oil burns off.

[Volder]

[klweimer]

You could pull the stud, wire brush the threads, put some sealant on the stud (I like Permatex #2) and reinstall. It's a heck of a lot easier than going after the head gasket. I would also be suspicious of the cam tower to head gasket. I think it could leak a little and look like that. Or, if everything else is OK, you could just close the hood and drive the car. You could pretend it's an old Harley Davidson motorcycle. They all leaked...
Kirk

[Volder]

I like the Harley suggestion

I cleaned it down, started the motor and a small amount of oil emerged right at the corner. Perhaps the stud is not to blame. The cam tower to head gasket seems VERY dry.

[Volder]

Update

Cleaned it all down once more and made sure all was dry.

Fired up the engine. Took it out for a 5 min spin, and when I returned oil was leaking from the corner. A clear path 1-2 cm wide



Oh no...

Should I try to torque the head? Or is a new head gasket my only option?!

[RRoller123]

I had the exact same problem before I redid the top end last Winter. Very slow, slight weeping at the corner. Probably the gasket is bad, but it can't hurt to re-torque the head first, clean it up and see if it helps?

[Volder]

I might just be in luck!

The bolt in the leaking corner needed almost a full turn and after a short test drive there is no leak! Looking forward to testing on a longer trip... I guess I have jinksed it now by telling you guys