Author Topic: Slow Leaking Headgasket (Read 4848 times)

TPW · « **on:** April 07, 2009, 06:06:47 pm »

I've put about 4000 miles on this motor since the last rebuild. Oil consumption is less than a quart in 2000 miles, and I haven't had to add any coolant to the reservoir. I can see that some coolant is seeping out the top of the headgasket on the exhaust side. I have already done the last headbolt torque. I assume that once the engine warms up a little, that the expansion seals the space. Should I tighten the bolts another 1/8 turn, or should I try some Bar's Headgasket Fix?

katakura silk · « **Reply #1 on:** April 07, 2009, 06:15:03 pm »

Im having the same issue...Im going to replace the gasket again this weekend...Im seeping from the front.

jtanguay · « **Reply #2 on:** April 07, 2009, 09:33:34 pm »

Quote from: "TPW"

I've put about 4000 miles on this motor since the last rebuild. Oil consumption is less than a quart in 2000 miles, and I haven't had to add any coolant to the reservoir. I can see that some coolant is seeping out the top of the headgasket on the exhaust side. I have already done the last headbolt torque. I assume that once the engine warms up a little, that the expansion seals the space. Should I tighten the bolts another 1/8 turn, or should I try some Bar's Headgasket Fix?

i wouldn't use bar's hg fix. IIRC its just a bottle with some bits of copper floating around??? :shock: www.steelseal.com is a much better option to that.

any history on the HG job? did you use the MLS gasket? head checked for straightness? block cleaned?

if the torque wrench you used was out of calibration (which apparenty most of them are) then the initial torque might not be enough, and the 1/4 turns will be off by a bit. its a bit of a long shot, but just throwing it out there. maybe as a last ditch effort before pulling the head again or going with head studs.

TPW · « **Reply #3 on:** April 08, 2009, 05:15:06 am »

It's a standard headgasket, 3 notch. The head was rebuilt and checked before instalation, and the block was machined and re-bored. If this leak doesn't get any worse, it won't be a problem. There are no fluids dripping under the car. I just want to keep it from getting worse.

Smokey Eddy · « **Reply #4 on:** April 08, 2009, 02:47:00 pm »

Just putting this out there....

This can be a common confusion with that T on the head (with the two hoses and 2 sensors) leaking very slightly. They warp and over time can misshapen enough to leak. With the car up to temp and running give it a vertical up and down wiggle and see if a couple drops appear at the bottom of it.

ALSO the sensors can leak very small amounts too. Some RTV sealant can fix that in a jiff though. I'm not sure if you'll have to drain some of the coolant though... that might be an issue since the exp tank is the highest point.

The coolant dribbles down the head and sits on the HG leading one to think the HG is leaking. The coolant will then evaporate off the head leaving no foot prints to follow.

sawedoffgolf · « **Reply #5 on:** April 09, 2009, 01:24:24 am »

my h/g is leaking too, on the front between cyl 3 and 4. it drips a few drops of oil a day, and i can see little bubbles coming out if i leave it idling for 15 minutes. i am sure its the original head gasket, should i try re-torquing the headbolts down? (cant afford new gaskets and bolts at the moment haha)

katakura silk · « **Reply #6 on:** April 14, 2009, 07:48:35 am »

Any word on this?

zukgod1 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 14, 2009, 09:32:06 am »

Ed brings up a good point.

Sometimes that coolant flange can seep just a little and as it's just above the HG it can wick around the back of the head and appear like there is a HG leak.

Just a FYI..

TPW · « **Reply #8 on:** April 14, 2009, 05:42:40 pm »

It's not coming from the sensors, but it may be coming out of the head behind the valve pulley. There is a frost plug there that gave me trouble before. I threaded the opening and screwed in a modified pipe plug. I'll have to take off the timing cover and check it on a later day.