Oozing oil from Head Bolts

[dmcelroy114]

I am helpng a friend work on his 1980 Spider 2000, which has been stored from a coupe of years. We go it started over the weekend and it appears that there is oil flowing out of three of the head bolts on the left side of the block adjacent to the spark plugs( all are tight/torqued). I have never known head bolts to leak oil, water maybe in some circumstances, but never oil. Any ideas? Since I am not well versed on Fiats, I didn't know if there are any type of "O" ring related to the head bolt or unique issues with the head bolt passages or if there is a more serious, head or head gasket issue. There is no oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil at this point. Thanks.

[dmwhiteoak]

I haven't had my heads off and mine don't leak around the bolts but one thing I have learned about Fiats is that they did put bolts in water ports and I also have taken bolts out of the block and had oil blow out of the holes. I'm sure someone here can give you an answer to your question.

[124JOE]

i was watching the guy who changed the head
he used a high temp silicone on the headbolts at the threads and the bottom of the
headbolt head
it was orange stuff

[vandor]

Are you sure the oil is not coming from gasket that is between the head and the camtower?
If it is really coming from the headbolts, then likely the headgasket is shot.

[dmcelroy114]

Thanks for all of the info. The car had some engine work done by the previous owner and it appears that the gaskets on the upper end around the camtowers and valve covers are new. When the oil was flowing, it didn't appear to be coming from this area, it looked like it was coming directly out from around the bolt heads themselves. Thanks

[chrisfiat]

silicon on head bolts is a big no no. i would be willing to bet they are not seated,or tor qued properly i have in the past removed them one at a time and cleaned holes out and reinstall and retorque ( in order of course)

[124JOE]

silicon on head bolts is a big no no. i would be willing to bet they are not seated,or tor qued properly i have in the past removed them one at a time and cleaned holes out and reinstall and retorque ( in order of course)

why is silicone bad?

[redcars]

Silicon if put in the holes will not let the bolt go all the way to the bottom of the hole. This then pervents the torque that your wrench is showing you from going to the head, but instead just pushes on the siliocon in the bottom of the hole. This is called haydralic lock and will give you all kinds of trouble. The only thing that should go on the bolts is a little bit of oil. A lot of torque specs call for dry threads so check our repair manual for what it calls for.

[vandor]

... in the past removed them one at a time and cleaned holes out and reinstall and retorque

With 2 liter you need to drain the coolant to do that, as most of the bolt holes go directly into the water jacket.