my saga continues. Head studs - oil leak

[chatas17]

I'm sure most of you are sick of hearing about my oil leak but here goes.... Tonight I came to the conclusion that my head studs may have loosened up or are broken. There is quite a bit of oil on and around the exhaust manifold flanges that mount to the engine. Also, there is oil dripping on a couple of the bolts that mount the manifold. my 2.7 was rebuilt (says the PO).

Tell me if I'm on the right track for re-torquing the heads. First I have spent hours searching and reading previous posts...

1. Drain engine oil
2. Remove muffler (after exchanger) to access valve cover.
3. Take lower valve cover off.
4. Re-torque heads in a criss /cross pattern to 23 ft/lbs.

Do I have to remove the muffler or the heat exchangers to perform this task?
Should I invest in the special tool (10 MM allen wrench) that Pelican sells?

Anything else? I guess I won't know if any of the studs are broken until I open her up.

I'm ready to sell the car and buy a 3.0 liter SC coupe! That doesn't leak!

Thanks for any help you can offer. I'm getting a little desperate. Jim

[slodave]

I hope this makes you feel a little better...

This is your left lower valve area (you have a bent oil return tube):


Here's mine:


No loose or broken head studs here. Only warped valve covers and leaking valve gaskets. BTW, both have been fixed now.

If you are going to change oil and VC gaskets anyway, make sure your head studs are tight/not broken. Also make sure to see if your valve covers are warped.

Dave

P.S. I was able to get the left lower off without removing exhaust.

[chatas17]

Thanks Dave. I noticed the bent tube as well... Your manifold studs are bone dry. Mine have a lot of residue on them and oil as well. That leds me to believe something is loose. Why else would oil be on the manifold bolts? I will feel better when I can post a picture of my car with no leaks... Time heals all wounds.. I guess. Thanks for the pic.

[slodave]

Are all three exhaust flanges oily? Looks like the return tube behind (in front?) of the bent tube has junk on it. Looks like there is one flange in front of it, is it oily as well. I wonder if the non-bent tube is leaking and the oil is coating things from there.

Anyway, hope it is minor.

Dave

[chatas17]

Can you retorque the heads without removing the exhaust? Dave,
I don't think it's the return tubes. I have oil on all the exhaust flanges.

[Thomas Owen]

Before you start to re-torque the heads I would suggest the following:

(please forgive me if this has already been tried or recommended)

- Pressure clean the entire underside of the engine as best you can.
- Run the engine until it warms up and then begin looking for the source of the leak. Do not drive the car, that will make the oil 'run' in different directions from the leak source.

I would bet there is a very good explanation for the leak(s) and you just need to accurately find the source. The oil will run all over the place from a leak on top and then 'appear' to be coming from somewhere on the bottom - that goes for the tubes as well.

Good luck -

[Walter_Middie]

Can you re-torque the heads without removing the exhaust?

You don't have to remove anything except the valve covers. Removing the valve covers is quick and easy. From there you may have some issues with figuring out which nuts are the head stud nuts. Just remember that there are 4 per cylinder, 2 on top, and 2 on the bottom. They are slightly recessed in circular holes.

Jim - when posting about this problem, keep adding to one thread as opposed to creating a new one. This will make it easier for people to follow your progress. Those Pelicans that want to help you will be lost if you make them search for your next new post to see the progress.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[redtdi96]

Me too 1980 SC.

I removed engine and r/r all obvious seals - oil sender - therm and oil cooler o-rings and replaced all valve cover gaskets with the 54$ heavy rubber ones. I installed new turbo valve covers last year on the bottom.

Looks like my leak is on the drivers side front , just above the front of the drivers lower valve cover. It is different than last year.
My major issue is that the oil leaks on the exhaust and presto smeely stinking smoke! I'll never pass inspection

So I replaced the intake (top) valve cover gasket with the heavy rubber on and still have leak. Prior I wet sanded cover on glass to true up.

I will today re-torque the lower exhast (drivers side) gasket to 6-ft lbs and see what happens.

I used tread sealer on the valve covers + new nuts.

I