Head Gasket

[Chihua33]

So I'm thinking my head gasket is leaking I brought the car back from lunch to work because it's a beautiful day out and when I got here and shut it off it was smoking. It's coming from underneath the alternator area and it looks like it's been like that for awhile because there is a lot of old oil on that side of the motor.

Has anyone had theirs replaced at a shop? and if I can ask what was a rough estimate on cost?

[So Cal Mark]

could be the head gasket, but usually head gaskets only leak oil in the right rear corner. There are several other gaskets and seals that can leak besides the head gasket

[Chihua33]

Ugh, just noticed a mistake...not alternator area, but rather under the distributor.

I'll try posting pics of it soon.

[Chihua33]

Kind of hard to see, but I hope you get the idea

[Kent124]

Is oil leaking from a head gasket an early warning of catastrophic failure or more of an annoyance?

Perhaps loosening the head bolt and torquing to spec will fix the leak.

[opus10583]

Is oil leaking from a head gasket an early warning of catastrophic failure or more of an annoyance?

Perhaps loosening the head bolt and torquing to spec will fix the leak.

Hi Kent,

I've gone from "gasket", to "rebuilt head", to "that and short block with 9:1 pistons", in the time it takes to shower.

$3,500... Just need to write the check.

..."Catastrophic", for me.

Ciao,
Mark

[124JOE]

this may just be a leaky dizzy seal or the last two studs that hold the manifold on do open into oil passages
and have been known to leak

[Chihua33]

hmmm I think I'll just have to make an appointment and have it looked at.
Thanks everyone

[Kent124]

the last two studs that hold the manifold on do open into oil passages and have been known to leak

Do both of the last two studs go into the oil passage? My understanding was just the upper two studs do. I have no experience, just asking.

http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php ... t=#p105673

[So Cal Mark]

only the upper two exhaust studs go into oil

[124JOE]

well that cears that up

i knew if i spoke up someone would help with the details