Oil Leak in 200 cu 6-cylinder
03-27-2012, 09:25 PM
#1
3rd Gear Member
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Virginia
Posts: 889
Oil Leak in 200 cu 6-cylinder
What's leaking here and how do I fix it? Just had this engine rebuilt and painted in January 2011 and it has less than 1,000 miles on it. Seems a bit too soon for a leak to be starting! The rebuild has a 3 year warranty, but what I'm fearing is that the shop will say "Oh this is normal wear and tear - not covered by warranty".
03-28-2012, 10:05 AM
#5
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: AR
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I am about sure that the leak is going to be coming from the valve cover area and then getting caught in the seam between the head and the block.
The oil will gather and spread in the seam due to capillary action.
If ANY oil has been spilled on the valve cover when oil was added to the engine, it will show here.
My bet is that the gasket is sealed to the cover, with no sealer on the head surface. I do this on ALL of my engines to make valve adjustments easy after starting. A little sealer here would probably stop the seepage.
My guess is that the valve cover could be resealed easier than trying to get the rebuilder to do the job.
Expect a little seepage from these old engines, I think most of us have become accustomed to engines from the 80s and up not leaking a drop for 200,000 miles... things were not like that in the 60s. Yea, these old engines can be made to hold oil pretty well, but it is always a just a matter of time before the leaking starts.
I am not saying not to fix the leak, (if it is a leak) because I would.
Edit> While it can be possible for a head gasket to leak oil, it is very unlikely, especially on the valve side of the head (as opposed to the cam side).
An oil leak is tricky to find, oil flows, and it gets blown around when a car is moving.
The oil will gather and spread in the seam due to capillary action.
If ANY oil has been spilled on the valve cover when oil was added to the engine, it will show here.
My bet is that the gasket is sealed to the cover, with no sealer on the head surface. I do this on ALL of my engines to make valve adjustments easy after starting. A little sealer here would probably stop the seepage.
My guess is that the valve cover could be resealed easier than trying to get the rebuilder to do the job.
Expect a little seepage from these old engines, I think most of us have become accustomed to engines from the 80s and up not leaking a drop for 200,000 miles... things were not like that in the 60s. Yea, these old engines can be made to hold oil pretty well, but it is always a just a matter of time before the leaking starts.
I am not saying not to fix the leak, (if it is a leak) because I would.
Edit> While it can be possible for a head gasket to leak oil, it is very unlikely, especially on the valve side of the head (as opposed to the cam side).
An oil leak is tricky to find, oil flows, and it gets blown around when a car is moving.
Last edited by JMD; 03-28-2012 at 10:44 AM.
03-28-2012, 10:35 AM
#6
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Virginia
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OK....I apprecaiet the reply. I'll check to see if leaking from the valve cover gasket or not. That's good stuff to know - never would have thought anything about that capillary action. I know I haven't spilled any oil so I'm hoping it's as you say. Will get back with you. Thanks.
03-29-2012, 06:55 PM
#8
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: IA
Posts: 366
Re Torquing the head may help, besides you should do it after a few hundred miles anyway.
I rebuilt my 200 last summer. I spec'd the head's matting surface on a surface plate. It was flat within .001'' across the entire surface. After a little while it leaked too. I talked to several people, including some old timers. "They all leaked, everyone of them I've ever seen, especially when it's cold."
It could have to do with the fact that the head is very long. See if it still leaks even after the engine warms up, and do go ahead and check the valve cover, but it's probably the head. If if leaks a little, or only at start up before its warm, I wouldn't worry.
I rebuilt my 200 last summer. I spec'd the head's matting surface on a surface plate. It was flat within .001'' across the entire surface. After a little while it leaked too. I talked to several people, including some old timers. "They all leaked, everyone of them I've ever seen, especially when it's cold."
It could have to do with the fact that the head is very long. See if it still leaks even after the engine warms up, and do go ahead and check the valve cover, but it's probably the head. If if leaks a little, or only at start up before its warm, I wouldn't worry.