oil leaking from exhaust manifold stud?

[PlanZero]

I know some of the studs run through an oil galley, but which ones? The reason I ask is that I keep seeing oil on the top left stud (on the left side of the heat shield, closest to the rad cap). I thought it was from the leaky valve cover when I got the car, but after cleaning it I swear there's new oil on it. If this is the case, is it possible to remove this stud without removing the manifold just so I can put sealant on it?

 

[gmacagni]

Yes, just remove the nut and use a good stud remover

 

[BogusSVO]

The only exhaust stud into an oil galley is the is the bottom center.

All bets are off tho if that stud broke at some point in the past, and it was drilled to deep.

You may want to pull the E-mani and inspect that E-runner.

 

[GPLaserRS]

Bogus is it possible he has a valve stem seal leak so bad that it's seeping through the E-gasket for the manifold?

OP, as the Wiseman has suggested, just remove the manifold and do a thorough inspection. At least then you can report back your findings and we can give you some ways to troubleshoot.

 

[BogusSVO]

hard valve stem seals... worn guides, or a flubb installing new guides could all leak oil into the exhaust runner... also bad rings in that cylinder, but if the rings were the issue I would expect to hear about blue smoke out the tail pipe.

 

[GPLaserRS]

PlanZero, I'd ask if you see any smoke at start up, but it's soo damn cold in the MidWest/East Coast, I don't know what difference it'll make. If you don't have time to rip apart the manifold power wash the engine and then keep an eye on that area to see if the oil returns, also I'd track oil consumption too. Unfortunately, if you see oil again be prepared to pull the turbo and manifold.

 

[PlanZero]

Well this has been like this for several months. No better, or worse. After I changed the vc gasket I power washed the bay, and I noticed oil on that stud some time later. I wiped it off, then noticed it again. Its not like it's dripping down. Also, definitely no oil smoke or loss, and a compression test a few weeks ago was good. I think it was 190 on all 4. Yes, it's way too cold to investigate further. I'll just keep my eye on it and repost when I get a chance to start taking her apart. I should also mention that this Tsi is bone stock and was dealer serviced for the last 8 years by the previous owner.

 

[Archer Fabrications]

I have a feeline bogus is right and someone drilled a stud hole too deep, could have been dealer too

 

[PlanZero]

OK, well assuming that may be the case, how can it be fixed? I'm on an extremely tight budget right now. Is it possible to just remove that stud, smear some ultra black on it and reinstall?

 

[BogusSVO]

Spray some break clean in the hole and blow out with compressed air.. RTV will not seal to an oil film.

 

[mercaholik]

If you haven't I would replace those exhaust manifold studs as they usually break coming out. If it doesn't turn fairly easy I heat it up cause breaking the stud or stripping threads sucks to fix . New gaskets crush washers, have everything ready to go before you even start.