Oil leak coming from head around exhaust manifold. Any opinions?

[Taheezy_88]

Pretty much what the title says. I have an oil leak coming out between the head and header. Wondering if it's just the gasket. Will do a compression test this weekend as my father says it could be a piston ring.... I thought I'd come here for any opinions first thanks.

 

[OR VietVet]

I fully expected to see an oil leak from the valve cover but I do not see that. I also know that it is hard for the oil to flow uphill. I would still suspect that it is a valve cover and what we see is just an accumulation of very clean oil from above. Or, and you did not say anything about any running problems, you have some strange oil blow by an exhaust valve or an exhaust valve seal leaking and oil is spitting out past the exhaust valve and you have a slight leak at the exhaust manifold gasket for cylinder #1. I am very curious what it looks like down below there.

 

[Geotrash]

That’s either oil or unburned fuel, but it’s a lot. Oil in the combustion chambers usually burns off, so I’m wondering if you have a leaking valve stem seal.

 

[OR VietVet]

That’s either oil or unburied fuel, but it’s a lot. Oil in the combustion chambers usually burns off, so I’m wondering if you have a leaking valve stem seal.

I read that wrong the first time around. Not a head gasket leak afterall. I say agin that is likely leaking at the exhaust gasket and is a valve seal but could be blow by. Even if the gasket leaks, should be exhaust coming out and not oil.

 

[Geotrash]

I read that wrong the first time around. Not a head gasket leak afterall. I say agin that is likely leaking at the exhaust gasket and is a valve seal but could be blow by. Even if the gasket leaks, should be exhaust coming out and not oil.

100% agree.

 

[donjetman]

Pull that spark plug and post a pic of it please.

I hope it doesn't look like all my plugs before I put the new improved/updated driver side valve cover (GM# 12570427) that prevents sucking oil out of the valve cover area into the engine and burning it.

 

[Taheezy_88]

Thank you for the responses.

Pull that spark plug and post a pic of it please.

I hope it doesn't look like all my plugs before I put the new improved/updated driver side valve cover (GM# 12570427) that prevents sucking oil out of the valve cover area into the engine and burning it.
View attachment 384485

I have that same valve cover when I did afm delete last year. Also I had my heads reworked Last year. I'll pull the plug and post pics. Thank you

 

[Taheezy_88]

Pull that spark plug and post a pic of it please.

I hope it doesn't look like all my plugs before I put the new improved/updated driver side valve cover (GM# 12570427) that prevents sucking oil out of the valve cover area into the engine and burning it.
View attachment 384485

Here's my plug from that Cylinder

 

[OR VietVet]

Don't know/remember the mileage but plug looks fine. Would be interesting to compare to other plugs.

 

[Taheezy_88]

I'll start with a compression test and go from there... will keep posted.