Oil Leak :'[ help?

[zero_wheeler]

It looks like i'm leaking out of the 2 outside exhaust manifold studs. It's a 98, stock 7bolt, 122k miles. I'd like to say I read somewhere that you CAN leak from those?? Just replaced the vc gasket less than 500 miles ago. Just doesn't look like it could leak from anywhere else above the studs besides the vc? I'll try and get some pictures tomorrow.
It's a pretty small leak and you can smell burnt oil after it's been ran for a while.

Any ideas?

 

[rlacasse1]

It can leak from the studs, because at least one of them runs back into an oil or coolant galley. I want to say it's the center one on the bottom, possibely the outer ones as well (can't remember 100%). So it's quite possible that is what it is.

Is the car smoking out the exhaust at all?

 

[zero_wheeler]

Nope, isn't smoking out of the exhaust, well nothing ive seen so far.
Ill check tomorrow just to be sure.

If it is the studs, how should I go about fixing the leak?

 

[rlacasse1]

I just took them out and put black RTV on the threads and then threaded them back into their holes. And they sealed up fine.

 

[zero_wheeler]

Alright ill give it a shot tomorrow and post an update sunday.

 

[rlacasse1]

You may end up having to pull your exhaust manifold to do it. The majority of the nuts will come off the studs so you won't be able to turn the studs out with vice-grips because the only exposed area will be covered with threads. So you will have to pull the manifold so you can get some vice-grips on the smooth part of the stud and turn them out.

 

[zero_wheeler]

Was kind of worried about that
but alright thanks for the headsup.
might be a good time to port it eh?