Oil leak by header gasket area - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

L99CAMA2011 · 12-02-2016, 07:10 AM

Hey guys I changed my spark plugs and noticed this yesterday. Oil leak second plug down on the passenger side and around the header gasket area. Looks like oil sprayed out from between gasket and block. Any thoughts on this? Of the 4 plugs on the passenger side this is the only one with oil on it like it was dipped in oil. I am hoping it is not a cracked piston. The last picture shows the plug in oil where as the other plug is dry and light grey in color.

sdynak · 12-02-2016, 07:42 AM

Change springs by any chance and valve seals? Maybe valve seal got damaged? You keep an eye on oil level? How much you use? Not possible to really say for sure without more internal checking. Would go after easiest first i.e. valve seal first and go from there. Needs to be fixed for sure.

L99CAMA2011 · 12-02-2016, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdynak

Change springs by any chance and valve seals? Maybe valve seal got damaged? You keep an eye on oil level? How much you use? Not possible to really say for sure without more internal checking. Would go after easiest first i.e. valve seal first and go from there. Needs to be fixed for sure.

Engine hesitates upon start up but goes away after warm up. Exhaust sounds like a Suburu or helicopter propeller buffet type sound. Still has strong compression though. Springs were changed like 8000 miles ago.

frankwjr · 12-02-2016, 12:26 PM

what kinda of plug wires?? get a multi meter and check resistance, looks more like miss fire and fuel/carbon build up...external oil leak would not affect plug like that...did you replace valve cover gasket when springs changed? good luck...peace out...

L99CAMA2011 · 12-02-2016, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankwjr

what kinda of plug wires?? get a multi meter and check resistance, looks more like miss fire and fuel/carbon build up...external oil leak would not affect plug like that...did you replace valve cover gasket when springs changed? good luck...peace out...

MSG 8.5mm plugs. gasket was changed at spring change 8000 miles age.

hunter1660 · 12-02-2016, 01:24 PM

Was the plug tight...it looks like the plug was loose and getting blow by

L99CAMA2011 · 12-02-2016, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunter1660

Was the plug tight...it looks like the plug was loose and getting blow by

took 20 ft lb torque to release them.

JusticePete · 12-02-2016, 05:18 PM

Pull the valve cover and check the rocker, spring, keeper and retainer to be sure nothing is out of spec.

HOJO · 12-02-2016, 06:42 PM

Could you have damaged the valve seal when you put on the new springs

LSX Camaro · 12-04-2016, 10:19 PM

Can someone please tell me how a valve seal, broken piston, spark plug, plug wire, or a valve spring will spray oil onto a header?

I nominate this for a worst for 2016.

sdynak · 12-05-2016, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSX Camaro

Can someone please tell me how a valve seal, broken piston, spark plug, plug wire, or a valve spring will spray oil onto a header?

I nominate this for a worst for 2016.

Bad header gasket.. In addition from his description of "sounds" it sounds like it is possible it leaks there. Hard with the limited details for sure.

fif_gen_powa · 12-05-2016, 09:02 AM

Valve cover leak or blow by out oil dip stick??

lawdog · 12-06-2016, 09:50 PM

Call me crazy but looks to me like someone got sloppy when they took the dipstick in and out ??

L99CAMA2011 · 12-07-2016, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawdog

Call me crazy but looks to me like someone got sloppy when they took the dipstick in and out ??

I wish these were the case but I work on my car like a surgeon. No the dip stick wasn't removed in a sloppy manner. I am leaning towards a leaking header gasket since there is that annoying exhaust leak buffeting sound that sounds like a Suburu WRX exhaust. It is very east to replace the header gasket and actually will be done this weekend.

12-02-2016, 07:10 AM	#1
L99CAMA2011 Drives: One of the baddest handling Gen 5s Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Masachusetts Posts: 4,177	Oil leak by header gasket area Hey guys I changed my spark plugs and noticed this yesterday. Oil leak second plug down on the passenger side and around the header gasket area. Looks like oil sprayed out from between gasket and block. Any thoughts on this? Of the 4 plugs on the passenger side this is the only one with oil on it like it was dipped in oil. I am hoping it is not a cracked piston. The last picture shows the plug in oil where as the other plug is dry and light grey in color. Attached Images

12-02-2016, 07:42 AM	#2
sdynak Drives: 2010 1SS Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Bayville, NJ Posts: 936	Change springs by any chance and valve seals? Maybe valve seal got damaged? You keep an eye on oil level? How much you use? Not possible to really say for sure without more internal checking. Would go after easiest first i.e. valve seal first and go from there. Needs to be fixed for sure. __________________ 2010 1SS LS3, Black, 235/250, .621/.615, 114 + 4, Kooks Stepped Headers, 3.91's, Bo White PTB, Flowmaster Mufflers, Cold Air Industries CAI, Apex Scoop & Windshield Washer Relocate, SLP Wheels, Skip Shift Eliminate, Barton Flat Stick, OEM HID/Halos, Dyno Tuned by ECS

12-02-2016, 12:26 PM	#4
frankwjr Drives: 2010 SS 2SS M6 Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Smithsburg, Md. Posts: 2,445	what kinda of plug wires?? get a multi meter and check resistance, looks more like miss fire and fuel/carbon build up...external oil leak would not affect plug like that...did you replace valve cover gasket when springs changed? good luck...peace out... __________________ 2010 SS 2SS M6 - Tune by RDP dynoSteve!(Woot) - Daily Driver - *150K!* - All work by me...

12-02-2016, 01:24 PM	#6
hunter1660 Drives: 2011ss/rs camaro Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: florida Posts: 1,261	Was the plug tight...it looks like the plug was loose and getting blow by __________________ . OBX LTH,Rotofab,Magnuson Heartbeat.AEM wideband, HP Tuners

12-04-2016, 10:19 PM	#10
LSX Camaro Master ASE, GM, LSX Tech. Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,034	Can someone please tell me how a valve seal, broken piston, spark plug, plug wire, or a valve spring will spray oil onto a header? I nominate this for a worst for 2016. __________________ 2010 2SSRS A6, Custom Pat G. Cam, WCCH Cylinder Heads, Kooks Headers/Exhaust, BTR Valvetrain, Fluidampr 25% UDP, All Engine ARP bolts, Flex-a-lite radiator/Trans cooler, Yank converter, PFADT Suspension, ADM Race Intake/Scoop, Torq tow hook, CFD auto shifter, Dynojet AFR gauge, Aeroforce scan gauge, Brake Performance rotors/pads Prothane bushings, ZL1 wheels, spoiler, Z/28 wickerbill, 1LE Aero/Suspension Package, Anderson Composites COPO Carbon Fiber Hood, LED lighting, Elite Catch Can, Improved Racing oil pan baffle, crank scraper, windage tray 480 RWHP 452 RWTQ + Nitrous Express 150 Shot

12-02-2016, 05:18 PM	#8
JusticePete Drives: Camaro Justice Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 20,171	Pull the valve cover and check the rocker, spring, keeper and retainer to be sure nothing is out of spec.

12-02-2016, 06:42 PM	#9
HOJO Drives: 2014 Camaro SS/RS 1LE 1967 Camaro Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 886	Could you have damaged the valve seal when you put on the new springs

12-05-2016, 09:02 AM	#12
fif_gen_powa Drives: 2013 Camaro SS Turbo Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: South Florida Posts: 1,525	Valve cover leak or blow by out oil dip stick?? __________________ 388ci 91/104 Turbo TH400 8.3@164 https://instagram.com/turbo_ls3/

12-06-2016, 09:50 PM	#13
lawdog Drives: 2010 SSII w RS & Sunroof Yellow Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: West Suburbs of Chicago, in a Courthouse Somewhere Posts: 953	Call me crazy but looks to me like someone got sloppy when they took the dipstick in and out ??