924Board.org

[mgatlag]

I've had a slow leak for a while now and chose this weekend to track it down, can't stand it anymore. And it looks like it's coming from more than one place. There is one that is all over the front of the motor below the crank, and is all over the cross member and steering assembly, easy....front seal.
Another one was from the valve cover, fixed that one so it's good.

The last one kinda has me puzzled thought. I cleaned off the motor pretty good on the exhaust side and jacked the car up and started it. I noticed oil coming out from what looked like between the head and the block and right in the middle of the motor. Basically between the number 2 and 3 exhaust ports and right below the manifold where it connects to the head. Wouldn't this be antifreeze instead of oil if this is where I'm thinking it's coming from? I know that there was a leak coming from the same side of the motor from the valve cover but it wasn't a very big one at all..

Any ideas?
_________________
Michael
'77 1/2 924 N/A- 5 speed Audi box
'04 Ford Taurus - gone!!
'92 Jeep Cherokee Laredo - gone!!

Porsche... better than tea with Miss McGill
(Slap Shot)

[!tom]

The head gasket retains oil, coolant and combustion. Any of these three have the potential to leak in any combination.

It is entirely possible for your head gasket to leak oil onto the block, but not leak coolant or combustion pressure.

It's also possible you have a crack in your head that is causing the oil to leak. However, my limited experience of cracked heads has resulted in different symptoms than what you have.

The correct procedure would be to replace your head gasket, making sure the head is in good shape when you remove it. You might be able to seal things up by re-torquing your head, but if it were me, I'd replace the gasket.

For a job like this, double check your diagnosis before proceeding. Clean the engine thoroughly first, then it's easier to see where the oil is coming from.
_________________
78 924 NA
5-lug

[mgatlag]

The motor I have in it now is rebuilt as of abt a year ago. What do you think the chances are that the head bolts just need retorqued? I'd like to avoid pulling the head if possible. I do have a new head gasket in the garage for when I need it. Just didn't think it would be this soon.
_________________
Michael
'77 1/2 924 N/A- 5 speed Audi box
'04 Ford Taurus - gone!!
'92 Jeep Cherokee Laredo - gone!!

Porsche... better than tea with Miss McGill
(Slap Shot)

[!tom]

It's way easier to retorque than it is to change the head gasket.

Just be careful when it comes to retorquing, as in some applications, repeated retorquing can overload parts.
_________________
78 924 NA
5-lug

[emoore924]

There"s an oil passage right there between 2 and 3. The head gasket has failed and oil is getting outside. I doubt retourquing will help much or for very long...

[mgatlag]

Thanks for the tips. Think I'm just gonna go ahead and bite the bullet and replace the gasket all together. Did alot of reading on retorquing the head bolts but I'll feel much more comfortable knowing what's really goin on in there, being as I didn't rebuild the motor. This way I can clean off any buildup on the cylinders too when I have the head off. And I can clean the motor much easier this way too and make it look pretty again
_________________
Michael
'77 1/2 924 N/A- 5 speed Audi box
'04 Ford Taurus - gone!!
'92 Jeep Cherokee Laredo - gone!!

Porsche... better than tea with Miss McGill
(Slap Shot)

[mgatlag]

Oh almost forgot. So what ARE the correct specs for torque on the head bolts? I've seen 65, 72 and 86. Which is correct?????
_________________
Michael
'77 1/2 924 N/A- 5 speed Audi box
'04 Ford Taurus - gone!!
'92 Jeep Cherokee Laredo - gone!!

Porsche... better than tea with Miss McGill
(Slap Shot)