When I recently did a rebuild I noticed oil coming from that part around the intake manifold. Not really a drip but there's always oil around there and the lower bolts like you mention.

The only oil passage that gets blocked by a manifold stud is the center stud towards the exhaust side, not the intake. Additionally, you should generally use at least loctite/thread locker on those manifold studs. In my case I did, and I'm still seeing that leak.

I believe it's the valve cover gasket leaking down onto the intake manifold and accumulating around the bolts. So I'd suggest you check that out first and make sure.

My bet is the valve cover gasket or the bolt grommets for the VC. You do not need sealant around the bolts.

Agreed. Oil makes it's way past the valve cover gasket if it's not tight enough.

The VC gasket is new and dry. That's what led me to ask this question.

BLACK'98DSM said:

The VC gasket is new and dry. That's what led me to ask this question.

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I'd also guess VC gasket, did you put the heat silicone around the tight turns like bolt holes?

Kai Hefner said:

I'd also guess VC gasket, did you put the heat silicone around the tight turns like bolt holes?

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I used black rtv in all of the grooves on the vc. And applied minimal torque to the bolts. I have also degreased the engine since then and It doesn't appear that oil is leaking from the vc. And when I run my fingers underneath it, they don't get wet. It almost has to be the intake mani bolts. Not sure which ones, but I might just try sealing all of them up. I just wished I would have done this when I had it off, now it's a pain in my ass again.

Just throw a bit of sealant on the stud holes, see if it changes anything. Obviously the leak isn't the end of the world and a little bit of rtv in a weird place isn't either. Don't go crazy with it though.

Damn, I was thinking I had to take it off again . I can do them one at a time!

Is it a turbo? it could be the black goo from the knock sensor dripping down?

motomattx said:

Is it a turbo? it could be the black goo from the knock sensor dripping down?

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The knock sensor is below the intake manifold. Pretty much the only thing above it is the vc, which is dry. I'm going to try some rtv and see what happens.

BLACK'98DSM said:

The knock sensor is below the intake manifold. Pretty much the only thing above it is the vc, which is dry. I'm going to try some rtv and see what happens.

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My point was that if your finding what appears to be oil below the intake it could be the knock sensor innards.

motomattx said:

My point was that if your finding what appears to be oil below the intake it could be the knock sensor innards.

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Understood, but the oil is dripping directly off of the intake manifold bolts. Which are at least 5 inches above the knock sensor.

BLACK'98DSM said:

Understood, but the oil is dripping directly off of the intake manifold bolts. Which are at least 5 inches above the knock sensor.

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Ok, you didn't say where the oil was actually found to be at, in that case its a valve cover gasket, cracked valve cover or leaking oil filler cap.

motomattx said:

Ok, you didn't say where the oil was actually found to be at, in that case its a valve cover gasket, cracked valve cover or leaking oil filler cap.

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Hey man, I don't mean to seem like an asshole, but did you even read any of the previous posts? I clearly stated that the oil is not coming from the vc, and also that the oil is dripping from the bolts. Sorry if that sounded rude, but dude, really...

BLACK'98DSM said:

Hey man, I don't mean to seem like an asshole, but did you even read any of the previous posts? I clearly stated that the oil is not coming from the vc, and also that the oil is dripping from the bolts. Sorry if that sounded rude, but dude, really...

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Dude really, your oil can not be coming from your intake bolts period!

This requires further investigation. I'm about to pressure wash my whole engine and undercarriage. I'll report back after this is done with the results.

There isn't any source of oil in that area except the valve cover. I know that when my vc leaked, a bunch of oil collected in that area for a long time making it seem like there was a leak.

BLACK'98DSM said:

I had forgotten about this thread until I was scrolling through my old DSM pictures and found this:

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The issue was oil pooling inside mi intake manifold and leaking out through the gasket. It's nothing I need to worry about now though. I'm running a different engine.

Also, @motomattx disregard me being a complete prick that day. Apologies. That was something else...

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Its fine man, I was being sarcastic anyway.

Was anyone able to figure this out I may sound like a fools but iv replaced the headgasket and vc gasket and I swear it's leaking oil heavily from the intake manifold

Itsubishi said:

Was anyone able to figure this out I may sound like a fools but iv replaced the headgasket and vc gasket and I swear it's leaking oil heavily from the intake manifold

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It could still be your valve cover gasket. Did you follow the proper steps to replacing it? I never could get mine to stop leaking until I switched to full thread bolts.

Ya it's not leaking from the cover it's like it's pressurized I can also pour oil in and it'll come out the intake bolts

At least that's what it looks like

The only other option would be a damaged or cracked cylinder head, but that would cause many more issues if the damage was severe enough to let oil out.

Weird idk it runs good but pukes oil