I need help identifying some small bolts.

[Qualitywires.com]

As some of you know, I am battling a small oil leak. I don't think my valve covers are leaking cause I sealed them up with RTV sealant. I put some clean rags in the suspected spot and when I pulled it the rags they were soaked in oil. Not from the Valve cover area.

The small bolts that keep the valve covers on are the same size one that I think where the oil is leaking from.

My question is, what do these small bolts hold down.

Description of the bolts:

These bolts are by the bottom where the thermostat housing is up front and run along the head under the plenum below the valve cover (top side only) . I know these bolts don't hold down the heads, but what are their purpose? Is it possible for these bolts to leak oil? They are on tight. (remember they are the same size as the valve cover bolts. I don't have pictures, but hopefully this makes sense.

I will have to post pics if it doesn't.

 

[Tom Sessions]

is the oil leaking into the valley under the intake or down the sides of the block.The bolts you described sound like top row of head bolts that help seal the head gasket above the push rods.If that makes sense the gasket is narrow it that area so it doesn't need large bolts.yes it could leak oil.

 

[Qualitywires.com]

yep, it's leaking into the valley under the plenum and also down the side as you described. Do I need to have my head gasket replaced? I hope not. It theres a simple fix?

Again the bolts are on the outside of the valve cover and along side the top of the out head.. I think the bolts are 10mm or 11mm..somewhere in that size range.

 

[Tom Sessions]

it sounds like you may need to have the head gaskets replaced.I would have the dealer clean the area off very well and add leak detecting dye to the oil.then run the engine long enough for it to start to leak and they will use a black light to see where it starts to leak from.They don't need to run it to long though because if you get to much oil coming out it will be hard to pin point the starting point.

 

[Qualitywires.com]

hmm..if I had a head gasket leak, wouldn't my oil be contaminated? My oil is clean...not mixed with coolant.

 

[Qualitywires.com]

bump

 

[Tom Sessions]

there is no coolant in that area of the gasket.It only seals oil so therefore you won't mix coolant in this case.

 

[JonB]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ab:
hmm..if I had a head gasket leak, wouldn't my oil be contaminated? My oil is clean...not mixed with coolant.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Sorry, I just saw this post. I agree with Tom.

And NO, there is not a necessary coolant/oil mix on this type of leak.