There is oil (or at least I think its oil) coming out of the front bank header. It is only on the lower of the 2 bolts but it is definitely there. I have never touched my headers and am trying to figure out what is going on. If you look in the first picture you can see the header bolt next another bolt. This is the outlet on the end closest to the timing cover. What is that bolt next to the header bolt and what does it do? It looks like there is a major leak coming from there. Again I have never touched this part of my car before so I am really in the dark. HELP ME! And no don't say screw that engine, get a new cheap used one with low miles...its not doable right now. Thanks

 

Could you maybe take another pic further away.

 

Yea please take a picture from a bit farther out. I cant tell but from those pics it looks like its the valve cover gasket to me.

-matt

 

 

I can see that it looks like your timeing chain cover was taken off and resealed ?? Am I correct with that red line of silicone on the timing chain cover ??

Probably wanst sealed as well as it should be. Without that line to guess from, I would say the valve cover gasket but it wouldnt leak from JUST that one part if it were the gasket.

Could be the valve cover gasket though

-matt

 

yes it was resealed but it was done poorly and I think it needs to be re-done

 

You answered your own question. If theres alot of miles on the motor, maybe you should replace with a low mileage motor I know you dont wanna do that.

-matt

 

Ya but i don't see how a small leak at the bottom of the timing cover can cause oil to be on the header bolts...And just a little side note, I have been looking over the timing cover and i think it could be a simple procedure, there isn't really much connected to the cover itself, all the time and labor comes from taking off the plenum and oil pans...which it appears isn't required unless the chains will be replaced. And no low mileage motor swap...

 

That actually looks like it could be coming from a leaky front valve cover gasket.
A very easy and cheap fix.

 

Yeah thats what I was just thinking.

 

How sloppy are you with filling your own oil? Are you a neat freak about it, or do you just pour it in and clean up the mess after the fact? I'm a bit of a neat freak, but I tend to just pour in without a funnel (albeint being careful) then cleaning up any "extra" with a rag... but I just changed my spark plugs the other weekend and took that cover off for the first time... Its sorta sealed to help prevent oil from getting under/etc, but some still seaps by and can eventually get down to the areas you're showing having oil... just a thought. But like everyone else said, its more than likely a valve cover or the front timing chain cover seal

 

lol ya sloppiness could be an issue but highly unlikely, but anyways you guys think is a valve cover gasket...Huh, I probably wouldn't have guessed that, is it fairly simple to replace?

 

That looks like a mess, the amount of work needed to replace gaskets is not really worth it when you can get a low mileage 3.0 for $400-$500 avg. I know you don't want a new engine but sometimes it isn't worth spending the time and money required to fix the old one.

 

Not everyone here has the cash to throw around getting used motors. The majority of members arent afraid to do a little work and get dirty.
I dont remember how musch the valve cover gasket was but I know its very easy to change. You can use a bit of RTV silicone to hold the gasket in place when you put it back on. While you're at it, check the seals for the spark plug chambers, they will be on the underside of the valve cover. When you put it back together make sure you torque the bolts down to specs...make sure not to over-tighten.
I hope everyone's info will lead you in the right direction. Dont give up or get frustrated with those trying to help on the .org, it's kind of hard to diagnose a problem without actually looking at it in person.

 

Ya, no go on the new used motor, but I was looking online at checker's website and you can get a valve cover set for around $60 or just a single valve cover for $10. What do I need? And thanks again guys, idk what I'd do without the .org

 

Get the Valve Cover set. It will come with the Valve Cover Gasket, the Three Sparks Plug Guide Tube seals, and the Grommets youll need at every bolt. Just go to any local auto parts store and purchase there. FELCO should be the brand

-matt

 

Do you mean felpro...

 

yea sorry..lol

-matt

 

Alright well I was just looking at the valve cover set and I replaced that seriously like a month ago, did I put it in wrong or what??? I torqued to spec but i didn't use any rtv...could that be the problem? I replaced the sparkplug guides and bolt grommets and everything...

 

You probably didnt replace the 10 Grommets around the valve cover at each bolt. Those are important. Looks to me like they're originals on your motor.

You dont need RTV. I didnt use it. Thats only to keep the gasket in as you lay it back onto the motor. not important for sealing purposes

-matt

 

Have the same leak problem with the back valve cover gasket. Looks tough to change out...anyone done it?

 

Ignore the re-use of this photo, but is do you mean the things I have highlighted red? because yes I did replace all of those, front and rears.

 

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