Oil or coolant leak in front manifold area
#1
Oil or coolant leak in front manifold area
I am trying to figure out if it's coolant or oil leaking on my front manifold. I have smoke or whatever you want to call it coming up from my manifold after my car has been idling for 3 or 4 minutes. When I look the exhaust manifold is soaking wet and dripping on the exhaust pipe. I know there is a coolant drainage bolt in that area but I'm pretty sure the smell is oil burning. My valve cover isn't leaking so what could possibly oil in that area? Anyone have any ideas on what it could be? Any help is appreciated..
#2
Why don't you collect a sample of the fluid in question and look at it. Oil and coolant have different physical properties. You should also be able to tell by smell; burning oil and burning coolant don't smell the same.
#6
Thanks guys, I'm going to get a sample of it now. There isn't a lot of smoke so it's difficult to see the color. Both fluid levels have dropped a little.
For additional info, I just replaced my head gaskets 2 months ago and I have just finished putting it all back together. The idol is kind of high but that's an adjustment I'll make in due time. I've replaced the valve cover gaskets 3 times cause oil kept seeping out. I feel I've got a handle on that now. But this leak is keeping me from moving on to driving it. I'm afraid of it catching fire if it's oil. I'll check now and let you know what's up in a few minutes.
For additional info, I just replaced my head gaskets 2 months ago and I have just finished putting it all back together. The idol is kind of high but that's an adjustment I'll make in due time. I've replaced the valve cover gaskets 3 times cause oil kept seeping out. I feel I've got a handle on that now. But this leak is keeping me from moving on to driving it. I'm afraid of it catching fire if it's oil. I'll check now and let you know what's up in a few minutes.
Last edited by Mnick1; 08-12-2011 at 11:46 AM.
#8
I found the leak. Dang nammit! The bolts for the valve cover are protruding through. I used my little mirror to see the under side and sure enough 2 bolts have poked through. That's not normal right? Maybe I can remove them and put some JB Weld on the bottom to seal the hole and replace the bolts with some shorter ones. What do you guys think?
These are the same bolts that have always been there and they're torqued to specs 3.1 ft pounds. I had a valve job done when I did the head gaskets. Do you think that could have something to do with it?
These are the same bolts that have always been there and they're torqued to specs 3.1 ft pounds. I had a valve job done when I did the head gaskets. Do you think that could have something to do with it?
Last edited by Mnick1; 08-12-2011 at 12:23 PM.
#10
I found the leak. Dang nammit! The bolts for the valve cover are protruding through. I used my little mirror to see the under side and sure enough 2 bolts have poked through. That's not normal right? Maybe I can remove them and put some JB Weld on the bottom to seal the hole and replace the bolts with some shorter ones. What do you guys think?
These are the same bolts that have always been there and they're torqued to specs 3.1 ft pounds. I had a valve job done when I did the head gaskets. Do you think that could have something to do with it?
These are the same bolts that have always been there and they're torqued to specs 3.1 ft pounds. I had a valve job done when I did the head gaskets. Do you think that could have something to do with it?
#11
Asand1, I thought about using something like a sealer on the threads. so now that you've suggested it too I'll try it tomorrow when I pick some up from the auto store. Any favorite sealer you use?
Snypa, So the bolts for the valve covers do go all the way through? I never new that. As far as seeing some form up, it's like putting your finger on a drippy faucet. As soon as you touch it more collects onto your finger right away. I'm certain that is where my leak is. I haven't checked the rest of them yet but I'll be doing that tomorrow too.
One last note, this may be a major factor maybe not I used the Permatex Ultra Grey Rigid High Torque RTV Silicone Gasket Maker (safe for O2 sensors) instead of a valve cover gasket. I put it on pretty thick and waited 2 hours before tightening the bolts down to specs. I should go ahead and get the rubber vc gasket huh?
Snypa, So the bolts for the valve covers do go all the way through? I never new that. As far as seeing some form up, it's like putting your finger on a drippy faucet. As soon as you touch it more collects onto your finger right away. I'm certain that is where my leak is. I haven't checked the rest of them yet but I'll be doing that tomorrow too.
One last note, this may be a major factor maybe not I used the Permatex Ultra Grey Rigid High Torque RTV Silicone Gasket Maker (safe for O2 sensors) instead of a valve cover gasket. I put it on pretty thick and waited 2 hours before tightening the bolts down to specs. I should go ahead and get the rubber vc gasket huh?
#14
Asand1, I thought about using something like a sealer on the threads. so now that you've suggested it too I'll try it tomorrow when I pick some up from the auto store. Any favorite sealer you use?
Snypa, So the bolts for the valve covers do go all the way through? I never new that. As far as seeing some form up, it's like putting your finger on a drippy faucet. As soon as you touch it more collects onto your finger right away. I'm certain that is where my leak is. I haven't checked the rest of them yet but I'll be doing that tomorrow too.
One last note, this may be a major factor maybe not I used the Permatex Ultra Grey Rigid High Torque RTV Silicone Gasket Maker (safe for O2 sensors) instead of a valve cover gasket. I put it on pretty thick and waited 2 hours before tightening the bolts down to specs. I should go ahead and get the rubber vc gasket huh?
Snypa, So the bolts for the valve covers do go all the way through? I never new that. As far as seeing some form up, it's like putting your finger on a drippy faucet. As soon as you touch it more collects onto your finger right away. I'm certain that is where my leak is. I haven't checked the rest of them yet but I'll be doing that tomorrow too.
One last note, this may be a major factor maybe not I used the Permatex Ultra Grey Rigid High Torque RTV Silicone Gasket Maker (safe for O2 sensors) instead of a valve cover gasket. I put it on pretty thick and waited 2 hours before tightening the bolts down to specs. I should go ahead and get the rubber vc gasket huh?
You do not need that much RTV and definitely do not have to wait 2 hours before torquing it down. RTV only needs to be applied to the corners where it meets the timing cover.
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