Is it really a blown headgasket?

[macruadhi1995]

I have a 92 N/A laser. For the last year or so it has leaked cascades of oil down the front. I've replaced the valve cover gasket twice, (once thinking I had screwed it up.) and it continues. In addition to oil loss, it loses water over long trips. Yet there is no mixing of fluids. Are there any other means of making sure the gasket is fried?

 

[-TunedDSM-]

Do a compression test.

 

[jdm ghost]

do you lose power or is it making an unusual popping noise

 

[4cyls_of_fury]

do a cooling system pressure test to find the coolant leak. degrease the engine and check for your oil leak. just my two cents.

 

[Reject]

I would have to agree. It sounds more like an exhaust manifold leak spraying oil.

Best case senario torque down the nuts on the exhaust manifold a little more.
Worst case senario; replace the exhaust manifold ( assuming there is a crack in it ).

Either way, I would plan to replace the exhaust manifold gasket, it is not that complicated.

Just get some PB blaster and spray the bolts a couple times the day before you are planning to do it and they should come off very easily.

 

[TrevorS]

I have a 92 N/A laser. For the last year or so it has leaked cascades of oil down the front. I've replaced the valve cover gasket twice, (once thinking I had screwed it up.) and it continues. In addition to oil loss, it loses water over long trips. Yet there is no mixing of fluids. Are there any other means of making sure the gasket is fried?

These aluminum heads are very susceptible to warping if they get much warmer than normal -- doesn't even have to hit the top of the temp gauge normal range for that to happen. Have you tried cleaning the area and seeing if you can spot any sign of seepage during idling, and if not then, after driving short local trips?

If you identify seepage from the head gasket, don't just change the gasket, also take the head in to make sure the deck is true. If there's a warp, it will never seal properly. Pressure test sounds like a good idea on the coolant problem. Performing a cylinder compression test also sounds good.

 

[macruadhi1995]

I just want to be clear on this, loose exhaust manifold bolts will cause oil to be sprayed over the top of the valve cover? To clarify, the oil only shows up on the driver's side. I've replaced the oil fill cap and two days later it had oil on top of it.

As for the coolant loss, since I had recently replaced the radiator cap, I overlooked that. I believe that was the problem.


Thanks all!

 

[Calan]

Are you running without a cam cover? If so, oil from just about anywhere can be blown ...well just about anywhere else. The fans can also blow it around, and it will tend to pool in places not really related from where it is coming from. Not always... but sometimes.

Oil can also leak OUT of the exhaust manifold bolt holes. On some heads, there are a couple of the mani holes that are tapped into the oil passages in the head.

 

[TrevorS]

I just want to be clear on this, loose exhaust manifold bolts will cause oil to be sprayed over the top of the valve cover? To clarify, the oil only shows up on the driver's side. I've replaced the oil fill cap and two days later it had oil on top of it.

As for the coolant loss, since I had recently replaced the radiator cap, I overlooked that. I believe that was the problem.


Thanks all!

FWIW: There could be a point of confusion regarding your description "front" of the engine. Strictly speaking, the front of the engine is where the crank pulley and various belts are. If this is the "front" you mean, then it won't be the exhaust manifold. As mentioned above, if you have the camshaft pulleys exposed at the true "front" of the engine, then oil will be tossed around by the belts, but it will also ruin your timing belts. A very serious consideration.

 

[macruadhi1995]

Ok, he oil leak seems to be coming from the front of the engine as it sits in the engine bay, i.e., from just to the right (driver's side) of the exhaust manifold. I do still have a cam cover, (and using it). Thanks for pointing that out. In fact, the cam cover seems to be the only thing not covered in oil at present.

 

[Calan]

I posted this yesterday...maybe it will help.

Do You Have A Blown Head Gasket?