Oil Leaks... Again

[BLACK'98DSM]

I think it's a bad head gasket... Nowhere above the head gasket is wet with oil, everywhere below is soaked. I will degrease one more time just to ensure this theory, but I'm 90% leaning toward it. But it doesn't overheat!

 

[VelocitàPaola]

Freeze plugs retain water and coolant... Not oil.

I'm not sure if they're called "freeze plugs," but there are plugs in the block with oil behind them. You'll see larger and smaller plugs--the oil plugs are the smaller ones.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

I do see those, but oil comes from above those too. I think I will need to tear down my engine again.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

Yeah, I wasn't suggesting they were the source of the leak, just sharing some information. Are you sure it's not the valve cover gasket? Just trying to save you some work...

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Are you sure it's not the valve cover gasket

I did replace it just a few months back, but I will definitely take another look at it if it could save me some work.

 

[dantheman91gsx]

Yeah sorry freeze plug was the only term that came to mind.....that's for the clarification

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Ok, so the valve cover is probably 60% of the problem (it was leaking from the passenger side corner). But I still think the head gasket needs replacing because there is minor run down coming from it. Maybe I will rtv and silicone the s*** out of it and hope that temporarily holds it back. I was thinking loosen the bolts and squirt a ton in there; of course careful not to clog anything...

 

[EVLGSX]

Ok, so the valve cover is probably 60% of the problem (it was leaking from the passenger side corner). But I still think the head gasket needs replacing because there is minor run down coming from it. Maybe I will rtv and silicone the s*** out of it and hope that temporarily holds it back. I was thinking loosen the bolts and squirt a ton in there; of course careful not to clog anything...

DO NOT DO THIS!!!! waste of time and whatever you use to do it.

 

[dantheman91gsx]

Yeah best solution is just pull the head and replace the head gasket.....great time to replace the valve cover gasket....cam seals and check valve stems seals as well. Bandaiding the problem not only is a bad idea but will bite you in the butt. If you're going to put effort into fixing the issue....then fix it right.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

I do plan on fixing it right, but I won't have the time for a while, and I don't want oil to get all over everything until then.

 

[EVLGSX]

its not going to help or stop any oil from going anywhere you dont want it to, unfortunately.

If anything, you would be making the mess worse honestly. oil cleans up easy enough.

what your talking about doing would be a nightmare to clean up

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

I'm about to challenge myself and see if I can do this in under 3 hours...

Full head removal and head gasket replacement and rebuild.

 

[EVLGSX]

That sounds like a much better idea, but take your time. Dont worry so much about how fast you can do it. Just take your time and do a nice job bud.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

That sounds like a much better idea, but take your time. Dont worry so much about how fast you can do it. Just take your time and do a nice job bud.

I will take my time as much as I can, but my job always creeps up behind me and taps on my shoulder...
So I do need it done in a timely manner, of course focusing on the details too...

 

[dantheman91gsx]

Are you daily driving your car?

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

I'm lucky to have a day when I don't have to go somewhere... I can use my brother's Subaru occasionally but he's not too... well... not too happy to let me drive it.

And I definitely want to keep miles off the pace car.

Truck gulps on gas. (can't afford that often)

 

[iNoise]

You said you rebuilt the motor, did you have the mating surfaces decked for flatness before doing that?

 

[VelocitàPaola]

You said you rebuilt the motor, did you have the mating surfaces decked for flatness before doing that?

Or at least check it for flatness. That's a good thought, though.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

You said you rebuilt the motor, did you have the mating surfaces decked for flatness before doing that?

Only the lower part.
But I'm sure the upper one is smooth (based off of what the prev. owner told me).

 

[VelocitàPaola]

If/when you replace the head gasket, it's worth checking both surfaces with a good straight edge.

 

[EVLGSX]

Lower part= block

upper one= head

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Lower part= block

upper one= head

I assumed that was known...

 

[EVLGSX]

I assumed that was known...

well YOU had me fooled

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Just figured I'd update this after 6 or 7 months .
- oil pressure sending unit was leaking
- CAS was leaking
- oil pan gasket was leaking
- camshaft position sensor was leaking

Maybe I will rtv and silicone the s*** out of it and hope that temporarily holds it back. I was thinking loosen the bolts and squirt a ton in there; of course careful not to clog anything...

Damn, I'm not sure how I didn't realize that was a terrible idea. I did not do this!!!