Possible head gasket oil leak external?

[DirtyDC05]

Ok so after replacing my timing belt , water pump and front cam seals I'm still seing oil toward the back bottom side of the engine. No leaks from the valve cover or rear cam seals that I can tell. When I get under the truck it's wet on right and left side near the starter on the drivers side I see oil on the front drive shaft area. Not dripping but wet. The oil doesn't drop to the ground. So I look up and see wet areas on the bottom of the exaust manifold studs . It also looks like oil on the underside of the head around where the heads and block attatch. I don't get any white smoke or blue smoke from the exaust when cold or warm. Engine oil has no coolant and coolant has no oil. Can a head gasket leak externally like I am describing or is it something else causing leak.

One thing I noticed when I added some oil after I bought the truck. I added about a quart and after I started it up it was blowing a lot of smoke. I thought that maybe the valve seals were leaking and I got some oil down the cylinder. Does this even sound possible? After the oil burned off there hasn't been any smoke since.

Truck runs great, stays slightly below half on the temp. No check engine lights.

Any help would be appreciated ,
Aaron

 

[DirtyDC05]

Here is a picture of the wet area on the drivers side. You can see the exaust manifold bolt is wet. Same on the passenger side. The wet area goes about halfway toward the front of engine. Nothing on top of the exaust manifold.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Did you clean the engine off after the work was done to start with a clean engine?

 

[plh]

Did you clean the engine off after the work was done to start with a clean engine?

ditto

 

[DirtyDC05]

I didn't pressure was or anything. I did spray some degreaser . It seems like I can see the oil start to build up on the manifold bolts when I let it run. And I have wiped the oil off of the lover frame area and it appears to continue to build up on the wire connectors on the passenger side near the starter. If the rear cam seals are leaking I should be able to feel fresh oil around the caps right? Oh and the drivers side front cam seal was not leaking before I replaced the seals. So there wouldn't be any leftover oil on that side anyways.

I have done the following checks.

1.engine oil looks good , not milky watery or stinky .just low it's at the bottom notch of the dip stick.
2. Took the radiator cap off and started engine cold . No bubbles or movement of the coolant. I will do a compression check when I get around to doing my plugs and wires.

I will probably try to retorqe my head bolts while I have the valve covers off in case they may have loosened up. Good idea?

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I didn't pressure was or anything. I did spray some degreaser . It seems like I can see the oil start to build up on the manifold bolts when I let it run. And I have wiped the oil off of the lover frame area and it appears to continue to build up on the wire connectors on the passenger side near the starter. If the rear cam seals are leaking I should be able to feel fresh oil around the caps right? Oh and the drivers side front cam seal was not leaking before I replaced the seals. So there wouldn't be any leftover oil on that side anyways.

I have done the following checks.

1.engine oil looks good , not milky watery or stinky .just low it's at the bottom notch of the dip stick.
2. Took the radiator cap off and started engine cold . No bubbles or movement of the coolant. I will do a compression check when I get around to doing my plugs and wires.

I will probably try to retorqe my head bolts while I have the valve covers off in case they may have loosened up. Good idea?

Bad idea, you would likely create a problem.

 

[DirtyDC05]

Bad idea, you would likely create a problem.

This was leaking before . The front cam seals are fine. They are not leaking. Passenger side cam seal was dripping onto alternator . That leak is gone completely. This is not a new leak . I assumed it was rear cam seals but after inspecting them it doesn't appear to be the source.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

This was leaking before . The front cam seals are fine. They are not leaking. Passenger side cam seal was dripping onto alternator . That leak is gone completely. This is not a new leak . I assumed it was rear cam seals but after inspecting them it doesn't appear to be the source.

Your head gasket was leaking before?

 

[Jay Ayala]

That is what my old Montero looked like when it was leaking from the head cover gaskets were old and worn out.

 

[DirtyDC05]

Your head gasket was leaking before?

The oil was present before I did the work on the front end. I'm trying to figure out if it is in fact leaking from the head gasket.

 

[jlocster]

I'd suggest giving the suspected problem areas a real good degreasing before you make any speculation. In the pic you posted, to me at least, there's too much accumulated gunk to make any accurate suggestions. If you were leaking quite a bit before it could also be nothing more than just leftover oil that's continuing to drain. Again, give a good cleaning and then post some more pics.

 

[DirtyDC05]

I'd suggest giving the suspected problem areas a real good degreasing before you make any speculation. In the pic you posted, to me at least, there's too much accumulated gunk to make any accurate suggestions. If you were leaking quite a bit before it could also be nothing more than just leftover oil that's continuing to drain. Again, give a good cleaning and then post some more pics.

Ok that sounds like a good idea, to be honest I feel like the old gunk might be plugging up some leaks ��. But I will take it to a self service car wash and hit it with some hot water and degreaser. And see what's happening under there.

 

[jlocster]

I'd just hit it with some degreaser or carb cleaner (something that evaporates) and then wipe it all down with some rags. Using those high pressure washers in the engine compartment can spell trouble. They have a real knack for blasting water into "water tight" electrical connections which can be a complete nightmare.

My 2 cents.