Oil leaking from exhaust manifold bolt?

[ylbill]

I thought I had this pretty much stopped, but seems to have gotten worse. I had the manifold gasket replaced in April and it helped for awhile. Then it started leaking from the bolt nearest the firewall, which I guess is a common issue. I figured when I had the gasket replaced they didn't seal it. So I took out the bolt and sealed it with Permatex Copper Gold High Temp sealant, but it's still leaking. I used double nut to remove bolt and reversed procedure to put back on, just haven't removed the second bolt and that's what you see in the picture, which finally brings me to my question. Does the bolt look too far out to have seated, and should I replace the gasket again or should I pull the bolt again re-seal and re-tighten? Thanks

[JEEPER]

Are you sure it isn't the seal in the bottom of the breather? ,that's just dripping onto the stud. In the picture it looks like it is dripping from the brearher, look at the breather hose retainer and all the oil on it. You may want to Gunk it then rinse it off. ref 103.1 page 1o-151/152 factory manual

[ylbill]

Are you sure it isn't the seal in the bottom of the breather? ,that's just dripping onto the stud. In the picture it looks like it is dripping from the breather, look at the breather hose retainer and all the oil on it. You may want to Gunk it then rinse it off. ref 103.1 page 1o-151/152 factory manual

I'll clean things up again and take a closer look, but it sure looks like its coming from the exhaust manifold (bolt). Its a tough spot to get into without taking some things apart, which I'm trying to avoid until I'm ready to put it away for the winter.
Oh, just to confirm. I checked the reference, but it's for carb. engine. Thanks again

[BEEK]

the upper 2 exhaust manifold blots go thru into the oil return galley/inside the cam housing, they will leak, the lower bolts go into a blind hole and cannot leak. i would suspect the cam housing gasket or the distributor

[ylbill]

the upper 2 exhaust manifold blots go thru into the oil return galley/inside the cam housing, they will leak, the lower bolts go into a blind hole and cannot leak. i would suspect the cam housing gasket or the distributor

I thought the sealer would have taken care of the leak from the bolt though? I did wipe around the distributor and it still looks pretty clean. My big concern is could be the head gasket? Although I haven't seen any typical blown head gasket symptoms.

[JEEPER]

Sorry BILL didn't look at the year!

[vandor]

>I thought the sealer would have taken care of the leak from the bolt though?

As was stated, the last bolt does NOT go to an oil passage, it has a blind hole, therefore no oil leaks from there, unless something is seriously wrong.

> I did wipe around the distributor and it still looks pretty clean.

Use carb cleaner spray to completely clean the area, then start the engine from cold and check if you can see where it is coming from.

>My big concern is could be the head gasket? Although I haven't seen any typical blown head gasket symptoms.

The HG can leak oil outside and be fine internally, but I doubt the oil would get up on the manifold. It would just leak down the side of the block.

[BEEK]

one time, i did blow a oil passage ring out in a head gasket, i reved the engine when cold. bad idea, but i was 16 at the time.
it poured oil down the side of the block. it was so bad you could not drive it. my first fiat experience.

[ylbill]

Sorry BILL didn't look at the year!

No worries Jeeper, I appreciate anyone trying to help.

[ylbill]

>I thought the sealer would have taken care of the leak from the bolt though?

As was stated, the last bolt does NOT go to an oil passage, it has a blind hole, therefore no oil leaks from there, unless something is seriously wrong.

> I did wipe around the distributor and it still looks pretty clean.

Use carb cleaner spray to completely clean the area, then start the engine from cold and check if you can see where it is coming from.

>My big concern is could be the head gasket? Although I haven't seen any typical blown head gasket symptoms.

The HG can leak oil outside and be fine internally, but I doubt the oil would get up on the manifold. It would just leak down the side of the block.

Thanks Vandor, I'll do some cleaning and checking. I do feel better about it probably NOT being the HG due to the oil flow.

[srwilson]

Ylbill, were you able to fix this leak? If so can you share your findings?

I believe I have the same leak as you have shown in your picture. Last manifold stud is covered but has been pointed out that particular stud is in a blind hole, so probably not coming from there.

My leak is pretty bad but I can't tell where it's coming from. Not a good place to see what's gong on.

I cleaned the block and around the distributor. The back of the block is oil covered again but the base of he distributor it still pretty clean.

Anyone else's have any suggestions?

[srwilson]

I went searching through the site and came across the distributor leaking oil thread.
http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=10400

Hmmm... I bet that's it. I'll check that tomorrow.

I bet I'm gonna have to order more parts..., aren't I?

Update: Checked the Distributor and it is dry. So I guess maybe the Camshaft Cover?

[srwilson]

For others out there that might stumble across this thread; my leak was coming from the Camhousing gasket. I re-torqued the last bolt and it seems to have stopped/slowed the leaking. I guess I'm due a new gasket soon.

[ylbill]

For others out there that might stumble across this thread; my leak was coming from the Camhousing gasket. I re-torqued the last bolt and it seems to have stopped/slowed the leaking. I guess I'm due a new gasket soon.

The closer I looked, it looks like my leak is coming from the distributor. Need to find out what seals I need to order to get this job done. At least I hope this will solve the leak problem. Camhousings look dry.