Why am I getting an oil leak there?

[Mike Stevens]

Hi Gavin,
You can of course try running it with the rocker cover off.  Yes, it makes a mess, but you will soon see if there\'s any oil squirting around.  In my experience, the oil just drips off the rocker shaft, runs all over the top of the head and then down the drain holes on the LH side of the head.  Oh yes, and down the back too as the engine slopes that way.  If your rocker cover gasket is stuck to the head, it will act as a dam for a short length of time.
If you have positive crankcase breathing into the inlet manifold, you\'ll have to block that up or the engine won\'t want to start.
Just a wee thought.
Cheers,
Mike.

[sent38]

&nbsp; Hi Gavin, just had the same thing with mine, I found that there is an oil feed/ well at the back of the head. The head gasket had fractured and the oil was leaking from there down the back and the side of the engine,it leak\'s outwards not inwards so there&nbsp;are no symptom\'s of the head gasket gone.&nbsp;So had to take the head off, put new gasket on, no oil leak now. <IMG>
on the old gasket you could see the fracture in the gasket.
&nbsp;&nbsp; pete

[Umquat]

Well I\'m not too concerned if there is a failure as long as it doesn\'t affect the cylinder bores or water jacket. I will eventually get round to replacing the head gasket, when I\'ve got a free weekend. In the mean time the torque wrench beckons!!<br><br>Regards<br><br>Gavin<br>

[Umquat]

After yesterdays posts I stopped about half way to work (having checked that the join was dry this morning). I think you guys might be right. It certainly seemed to be more noticably wet at the back of the block than nearer the front. Anyway, its half term next week, I have Tuesday free to work on the car, and a complete head gasket set on order, so if it arrives in time, I\'ll whip the head off and see whats going on. Thanks for all the advice once again.<br><br>Regards<br><br>Gavin<br>

[David Withers]

Gavin, just be sure the oil is from the head/block joint before you take the head off.&nbsp; It is much more common for oil to leak&nbsp;past the rocker cover joint at the back end, and your breather mod makes this even more likely in my view.

[mikeyb]

Leaky old beasts eh! The head gasket fracture is probably what mine is suffering with by the sound of it.
Will have a good looksee over the weekend.

[sent38]

Hi Gavin, A good way to find the leak, is to give it a good clean then dry it, then put/tip talcum powder around the engine. Run it up and down the road give it a rev, leave it on tick over for 30 mins and you should see were the oil is coming from, thats what I did.&nbsp; <IMG>
Pete&nbsp;

[Umquat]

Nice tip.... I\'ll have to try that out. Even if it doesn\'t work at least my engine will smell fresh!!<img><br><br>Regards<br><br>Gavin<br>
<edited><editID>Umquat</editID><editDate>39521.642650463</editDate></edited>

[sorbs]

Don\'t forget that oil can leak from the rocker cover securing bolts too.&nbsp; Fit a rubber O ring under each nut.
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