The mystery of the head gasket leak.

[B-lackGSX99]

My current symptoms:

1) Black exhaust / oil on front passenger side of motor.
2) Idle surge at idle (1000 - 1250 rpm jumps ever second)
3) Loss of oil.
4) White smoke coming out of tailpipe when stopped and at operating temperature when on the accelerator.
5) Temp gauge maxes out. (only let this happen once, and temp becan decreasing after 5 minutes).

The mechanic had begun preparations to change my head gasket, and install some arp head studs. He was surprised to see that the old head gasket is in good shape and does not appear to be blown anywhere. He also mentioned that there doesn't appear to be any coolant mixing with oil anywhere. And I don't think it's happening in my turbo (20g), because it doesn't have a coolant line going to it...

We have decided to get the head pressure tested for any cracks, as we do not think that there is any potential for ring / valve seal damage. He also mentioned to me that the head does not appear to be warped in any way. Basically, if the pressure test doesn't show any cracks, then i'm just going to install the new head gasket (OEM) and assume that maybe the studs weren't torqued down hard enough. I think they are supposed to be at around 85ft/lbs right??

Does this sound like a reasonable course of action?? Any suggestions or comments??

 

[talon187]

I would shave the head and get a mitsu 4 layer gasket more for giving and it will handle alot more boost...but that is odd it does seem like its a head gasket. that oil has to be coming or going somewhere. i would check everywhere for oil leaks it is possible for bad rings to burn oil.

 

[PIMking]

Oil on the front pass side of the motor would be were the oil line comes from the head into the turbo. Make sure thats not leaking.

 

[DSMboostin15]

I'm having the same problem as BlackGSX. I have fresh oil coming from somewhere on the passenger side of the engine. I was thinking about spraying it with brake cleaner to clean it all off, then run the motor and look for leaks.

 

[freeman 188]

like they said check for a leak at the turbo oil feed line ,if no leak then you should check the top cover gasket ,where the half moon peice of rubber is they seem to leak quite often ,just above the oil feed line ,as for white smoke that is one good sign of a blown head gasket ,I had that happen to me on a new rebuild ,you might want to have your block checked to see if it is warped or cracked

 

[B-lackGSX99]

Really appreciate all the info and suggestions, really goes a long way for a guy in my position!

Car came back from pressure testing, and it showed no signs of any cracks...thank god.

I mentioned to my mechanic to check the turbo oil-feed line, as well as that top cover gasket for any issues...otherwise, he's just gonna put it all back together tomorrow with the new head gasket, and the arp studs tightened up just right (hopefully).

Hoping for the best, will update you after I pick the car up tomorrow...I have a feeling that absolutely nothing is about to get solved, and about $1000 just got flushed down the toilet.

I hate having had them do that much work, and still be unable to find out where the coolant is leaking in from. I asked him again, just to make sure, and he confirmed that the oil definitely looks really clean...there has been no mixing of oil and coolant. I love mysteries...

 

[evileclipse909]

Check your oil filter adapter and make sure it isnt cracked. Some people like to take their oil filter wrench and HE MAN the filter too tight wich will cause a mixture.

 

[B-lackGSX99]

Okay, so I talked to my mechanic, and he got everything put back together today. When he added coolant into the system, he noticed that there was a pretty significant leak in the radiator (air blowing out of it) and so does not recommend I drive it yet.

So, t'row he's going to throw in a new radiator, fill the coolant system, and then road test the car to see if it is still having the same problems as before. The mechanic checked all of the areas that you guys suggested we keep an eye on, and has not reported any issues to me there. Thank you for your insight, and ultimately the peace of mind that it brings me.

Does it sound as though the leaking radiator (which if it was pushing air out, I have to assume was pushing coolant out) could be the cause of the above mentioned symptoms??

The loss of oil, I could potentially attribute to the fact that I hadn't changed the oil since February...although I don't think my car burns that much oil. And the oil on the front passenger side of the motor may have been due to the studs having backed out a little?? Who knows...

 

[talon187]

well if i were i would be checking my oil once a week. as far as the radator leaking that would cause the car to over heat and make white smoke under the hood not in the tail pipe. do you have balance shafts? when he had the timing belt cover off did he check the seals there? i forget witch seal it was but i had one go bad and it made me leak oil not super bad but every time i parked the car i would get a mark on the ground the size of a quator or 50 cent piece. over time it made a mess

 

[B-lackGSX99]

Well, I picked the car up today...and it seems like it's running fine so far. I'm quite hesitant still, but we'll see how it goes. Seems like the new radiator, and re torquing of the studs did the trick...does this make sense??