Liquid on Rearmost Exhaust Manifold - Head Gasket?

[benzor]

I've started reading up on what could have leaked onto my exhaust manifold, but could use some pointers.

Smelled smoke sitting at a traffic light after 2 minute drive, no main warning light on engine. Smoke coming from all over under the car, couldn't tell the color because it was dark. Shut engine off, haven't restarted it yet.

Shot the following picture when I got home - you're looking up at the rearmost exhaust manifold. Will double check tomorrow, but believe the liquid is coolant. Did not see a milkshake in the coolant overflow tank, and have never historically had overheating problems.



The following picture is taken side-on from the top of the engine bay - the exhaust flange is only wet on the bottom and a bit on top, with the return pipe for coolant from the heater core in right foreground




Wondering if this could be the head gasket, valve gasket, an exhaust seal, or other? I changed the manifold to head gasket myself within the last 2 years.

[ace_944]

Check all your heater hoses CAREFULLY!!!!!!! I just went through a issue with mine blowing constantly cause I forgot to turn the heat on when i was bleeding the coolant system.

[benzor]

Will double check the hoses in the area and see if the rear of the tower is wet as well.

[ted944]

I had a similar oil leak a few years ago from the rear cam cover. When I checked the cam cover, it was missing a bolt (should have 3). Of course the gasket was old too. I replaced the gasket and put in a new bolt.

I checked the cam cover again after a year or so and found the same bolt was getting pretty loose. I had to tighten it.

So check the 3 bolts holding the cover, especially the one on the top and passenger side and see if they are there and any oil leaks there.

[968 GUY]

Mine was.leaking at the cam tower gasket. This is a potential fire hazard and should be corrected ASAP.
Clean the area really well and then start the car and look for the leak.

[Kevin.]

That looks like oil to me, although kind of hard to tell from the pictures.
Like JrBoulder said, that cork gasket on the rear of the cam tower head
is notorious for leaking in that area.

[ted944]

We can take a look at it next Tuesday.

If Bruce's got the cork gasket, we can put it in. I've made a custom wrench (filing down and bend) to turn one of the bolts and I think I still have it somewhere.

[44CUPMASTER]

bad valve stem seal !!!

[benzor]

After a close-up inspection, appears to be the cam tower gasket. Interestingly it is leaking most around the cam tower bolt that I previously undid (in order to remove the metal heater pipe, for removing the exhaust manifold). The bolt was re-torqued to spec at the time (1.5 years ago).

Question is - if it is leaking from the cam tower gasket, it should be oil, correct? Although difficult to tell, I would have otherwise guessed this was coolant.

CupMaster - what would the indicators of a bad valve stem seal be? Would that look more like a wet failure of the exhaust manifold gasket?

I'm going to try to do the AOS seals while I've got part of it apart anyway, and will have the injectors sent out to WitchHunters.

Any other suggested while-you-in-there?

[968 GUY]

Should be oil. Think the bad valve stem seal comment was a smart ass comment for whatever reason.
As I stated in my earlier post, pretty sure it is the gasket.
If you have not done. the belts and or rollers, may be a good time while the cam tower is off.

[benzor]

Belts, rollers are in good shape - did them last year. Thanks for the help folks! Will post when the job is done!