Oil in exhaust manifold

[Chaotic94]

Okay so I have a slight dilemma here. I sent off my 16g for a rebuild thinking that was going to fix my smoking issue because it had some shaft play. I took off my exhaust manifold to replace it with a Evo3 exhaust manifold yesterday and saw I had some oil between the head and the manifold on the gasket. I also have oil in the exhaust ports on the head. So I looked deeper in the exhaust ports and I can see where oil has seeped down from the top of some of the valves. Does this mean I need to pull my head and have it gone through? If I do pull the head, is there anything else I should replace while I have it apart? I know the previous owner replaced the timing belt and tensioner and balance shaft belt, etc before I bought it. Is it necessary to replace it again? I've driven the car only a hand full of times in the past year I've owned it. Thanks in advance!

 

[2gmitsueclipse]

I would complete a compression test followed by a leak down test to get more information. It sounds like bad/worn valve stem seals and/or guides. The tests mentioned should he rule out other issues.

 

[Chaotic94]

I just read this link and it seems like the compression test and leak down test will Only tell me if I have worn rings or if my valves are having seating issues. I don't understand how either of those tests will help me determine if my valve guides are bad. Sorry, not trying to be difficult. Just not sure what I need to do with this God forsaken thing. Lol I've been building it for about a year now and it seems like the further I get into it, the more I find wrong with it..

http://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/compression-and-leak-down-testing.338152/

 

[2gmitsueclipse]

While these tests may not specifically say that a valve seal is bad, they will help to confirm if any valves are leaking. These tests can also show if any valves are not seating properly.

It could help you decide whether you could just replace the valve seals, or pull the head for a complete rebuild.

What are your smoking symptoms?

 

[Chaotic94]

Okay so when I start the car everything seems normal. No smoke at all. Even after its warmed up in my driveway and I've revved it a few times. It doesn't start smoking until after I drive it. And then it smokes at an idle. It's a whitish color. I couldn't tell if it was smoking while driving though. But i know it didn't smoke at all in my driveway after a start up, warm up, and a few high revs. Just after driving it about a mile and then pulling over it started smoking at an idle

 

[Jiggalude]

You sure it's white and not a blueish tint? A blue tint means it's burning oil. Which would be more likely from what you stated about the oil in your exhaust manifold.

 

[Chaotic94]

It very well could have been blueish. It was close to dark when I saw it smoking. I immediately took the car home and shut it down. Then I noticed where oil had leaked out of the gasket between the o2 housing and the downpipe and pulled everything apart. Sent off the turbo thinking that was the issue, which is needed rebuilt anyway, and then yesterday I noticed the oil in the exhaust ports on the head.

 

[Chaotic94]

I have a couple more questions for you guys. If I end up just needing valve stem seals, I looked up and found these I can replace them without removing the head. Can it be done without removing the cams? I really don't want to get into the timing belt because I know it was replaced before I bought the car. Also I'd like to make the upgrade to ARP head studs. Do I have to replace the head gasket to swap my head bolts for head studs if I don't pull the head from the block? The previous owner also replaced the head gasket not long before he parked it and sold it to me. Trying to get this issue resolved for as cheap as possible. But i do want the added security of the ARP head studs being that I'm going to be on a 16g around 20psi or better.

 

[wickedboost92]

Reading the thread sounds like you have a couple different things that could be going on here. First do the test as stated above. They should be done no matter if you have any issue or not. The said test will help determine the health of the motor and what maintenance should be done. No you do not need to replace head gasket when installing ARP.