what? Removed the plugs on my 4-cyl Camaro today. They're all on good shape with normal wear, which surprised the hell outta me. But.....only one plug had oil on the threads, which did not make it inside. I don't know how many of you had ever seen an Iron Duke engine. But the valve cover is right above the plugs. The car is junk and doesn't use a drop of oil. I believe the engine had a head gasket blow, 'cause there's oil all over the engine (bought the car that way). The prev. owner said head work was done. Any ideas??? The engine was never cleaned after the head gasket blow. Maybe a good cleaning is all it neads.

Thanks,
Brandon

 

the oil probably leaked out of the valve cover and soaked into the threads.

 

with no head gasket you won't get oil all over the engine, there is no preasurized oil flowing in or through the head. oil on the spark plug threads doesn't mean much.

 

i'd say a bad valve cover gasket is more likely, seeing how most people just try to use the old gasket after tearing the heads down.

 

Since one said that a blown head gasket won't spew oil all over the engine....what will? Just curious 'cause you'll notice an oil spot after the car is moved and oil's caked all over the underside of the engine. I'll replace the valve cover gasket since it ain't no big deal.

Brandon

 

Basically oil will leak in two locations. At the top of the engine, which probably means bad valve cover gasket. This will leak while the car is running. Will not usually leave any spots on driveway or garage.

The second leak is at the bottom of the engine. This could be several things such as pan gasket, balance shaft seal or crank shaft seal. These will usually leak when the car is off and the oil trickles back down to the bottom of the engine and the pan. This is when you will see it on your driveway and spotting your garage floor.

If you are having oil spots and oil on the under carriage it is probably not your valve covers. Sorry to say. 'Cause they are the cheap fix.

 

But....how can this car leak oil when I have never had to add a quart? Funny how this car shows the signs of a leak but never had to add a quart of oil.

Brandon

 

Are you sure the spots on the driveway are oil and not tranny fluid or power steering fluid?

 

Definitely not power steering. Could be the tranny but spots are from directly under engine. Under the belts area.

Brandon

 

Yep, sounds like oil. It could be leaking and not be noticeable at the dip stick. Remember oil will spread out quite a bit and even a few drops can look pretty bad. I would say this is what is happening.

Think about it. How low would it have to be to be noticeable on the dip stick. Half quart? Maybe? Quarter of a quart? Take a fourth of a quart of oil and pour it on the garage floor. It will make a huge puddle. Anybody who does there own oil changes can attest to this. Dropping a quart is gonna happen sooner or later.

What weight oil are you using?

 

Cheap 10w30 is what I'm using. Maybe 30wt is what I should be using.

Brandon

 

no, dont use a straight 30 wt.

Ben

 

Move up to 10w40 or 20w50. Houston is plenty hot enough. It will slow the leak. But this is only a temporary thing. It will eventually have to be fixed. But I don't think it's any thing to worry too much about right now. Just keep an eye on it.