SS14PSI

iTrader: (11)

I'm trying to track down an oil leak, hell maybe 2 leaks. The engine was assembled and primed about 2 years ago but hasn't been fired until now. It's stock bore, stock crank, forged rods/pistons, GM MLS headgaskets, ARP head studs, stock ported heads, P-1SC at 14lbs. It sure looks like there is oil coming from the head gasket area right around the first 2 cylinders on the driver side. The area between the valve cover and the headers looks clean, so I don't think it's the valve cover gasket.

The oil looks perfect, as does the coolant. The car runs fine, but surges quite a bit and has no top end. It hasn't been tuned yet and currently has stock injectors in it because it won't be tuned for a couple more weeks (with the 60 lb'ers), so I'm thinking it is probably just because it needs a tune.

Can this oil leak be coming from the head gasket? Is that even possible.

henry172

iTrader: (2)

No oil should run from the head gasket. Intake and valve cover gasket are possible.

1hotlt1

iTrader: (1)

Lol I have the same problem except on the passenger side. I change my rear main, valve covers, intake gasket, oil pan gasket, after I did all this it was still leakin!

Will finaly I took the car to the shop, they check the leak with a special light and glasses and they told me my leak was from a head. Anyways I took my head off and had a really small leak. But if I was you all double check the easy stuff first.

96Formula6spd

iTrader: (7)

My stupid honda would leak oil from the head gasket. So it is possible. Mine used to leak out of an oil port. Took 10k miles before it let go.

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

Yes, because a small block Chevy and Honda engine have so much in common...
No oil is transferred via head gasket.

95 mystic ls

iTrader: (12)

They do have one thing in common. The oil has to get from the head to the block and what between them? Thats right the head gasket! I have learned that anything is poss. when it comes to motors.

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

You should probably revisit what you've learned... I'll give you a hint- Oil valley. Here's another- What one thing does a V engine have that an inline engine has not...

wysemunky

iTrader: (2)

Oil is brought to the head via pushrods and then finds it way back to the oilpan through the oil drainback holes in the head. If the head gasket was leaking oil then the only places I think it would be visible would be on the front or the back of the head, and more then likely it would be mixing with the coolant if that was the case. My guess is its either the intake gasket, valve cover or maybe even the timing cover gasket.
On another note if you have been running around with 14 pounds of boost with the stock tune on stock injectors then you might have more serious problems.

quik95lt1

iTrader: (7)

these things make me chuckle lol............

shbox

While not very common, yes it is possible. It would generally happen near the drainback holes in the corner of the heads if the gasket did not seal properly. The oil is not under pressure, but just seeps out. I've seen it in person. Can happen.

95 mystic ls

iTrader: (12)

yep good point.

sweetbmxrider

iTrader: (13)

Yup, mine does this. Its a slight weep/sweat mark.

SS14PSI

iTrader: (11)

Idling around just to seat the rings and break in the new S60 rear is all. Not too worried about that.

SS14PSI

iTrader: (11)

Thanks Rob, and everyone else. I guess I have a project for next weekend. Well the block and heads were checked by a good machine shop before I put it together and it hasn't gotten hotter than about 230, so I would think the heads are fine. I used GM MLS gaskets, should I buy them again or go with Cometics or Felpros?

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

Go drive the car, and hard. Idling around is NOT the correct way to seat the rings. You can be potentially doing more harm than good.

quik95lt1

iTrader: (7)

what he said..........idling is the worst thing for them............i drove mine at moderate throttle between 4000-6000 for 25 minutes to break em in.......then drain the oil and put some fresh stuff in to get rid of any debris/contaminates

speedracer2536

iTrader: (15)

x2!! wtf your gonna be pushin seals down the road if you dont seat those rings

SS14PSI

iTrader: (11)

Geez I didn't mean that literally. It's hard to get anywhere idling with a 4k stall
The rings are seated and they're fine, I don't think they're the problem.



Now back to the head gaskets please...