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Mysterious oil leak after head swap

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Aphix

Aphix

10+ Year Contributor
320
1
Aug 14, 2008
Salina, Kansas
I just recently did a head swap due to a snapped timing belt. After I swapped out the head and got it fired up, I began to have an oil leak that seems to be originating somewhere on the timing belt side of the engine near the bottom. It's a fairly severe leak leaving a decent oil spot each time I park.

I can't figure out what it could be coming from though that has changed? I dont think its the cam seals as I had the head hot tanked and there are no signs of oil runs. It was resurfaced as well so I can't imagine its coming from the HG. The turbo oil feed/drain looks to be solid. I can't think of what else might be causing this?
 
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Did you change the cam seals after the head was hot tanked?

Some chemicales will kill seals.

Also check the oil galley plugs on the end of the head to make sure they are not loose/leaking.

How was the head surfaced?

If it was belt surfaced.. the outer edges may be a tad out of align alowing oil to pass between the head casting and head gasket.
 
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The cams and seals were not installed when it was hot tanked. And it wasn't belt surfaced as well, he used a Sunnen HBS 1300 machine to resurface it I believe. I'll have to take a look at the oil galley plugs
 
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The bolt for the belt tensioner I believe runs into an oil galley and needs the threads be seals upon install. Same with a balance shaft pulley. Or to save a headache just thread seal all the bolts. Haha.
 
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Yeah I was thinking it might be coming from the filter housing area too, it just seemed less likely because I just did a head swap and there was no changes to the filter housing area. The timing components were not changed but I did inspect them, they were replaced not too long ago.

When you say tensioner you mean the auto-tensioner right? That's interesting I've never heard of that. I didn't seal any bolts when the auto-tensioner was reinstalled.
 
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I to Have an oil leak near filter bracket after head work done. Reply if you find where. I'll probably change filter bracket gasket, but does it come off without removing timing cover or front case?
 
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Hmm I'll probably change the bracket gasket as well as I've heard some freeway horror stories about that one giving way. I'm still curious to know whether its the auto tensioner or the tensioner pulley bolts that cap off that oil galley though.
 
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