Oil leak between block and head

Mauled · 10-21-2023, 12:07 PM

I'm trying to identify what could of caused this to happen, my car started leaking oil out between the block and the head. It's the driver side head and it was leaking oil out of the top front corner of the head, near where the oil is sent into the head through the block. As soon as I started the car up it would leak and run all the way down the front of the engine behind the timing cover and pool oil on the bottom.

I replaced the head gaskets last year, not because it overheated (it didnt), but just because I put arp head studs on. The heads were decked before I put them back on. The only thing I didn't do when cleaning the gasket surface on the block was take the dowel pins out, I wonder if this would be a good idea. The leak is right near where one of the dowel pins is.

Ill post up pictures later today of what the head gasket looked like upon removal. I'm just wondering if anyone else has seen this and how common it is for a head gasket to leak oil only. I'm in the process of putting it back together now and just wondering if there's anything I can do differently that will help. I don't have any shops near me to do this so I'm forced to fix it myself. Thanks.

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danger1138 · 10-24-2023, 10:04 AM

What vehicle (model and tear) is in question? Possibly AVCS banjo bolts loose??

spoolinsti05 · 10-25-2023, 12:44 AM

You sure it isn't a cam seal? You sealing the avcs cam covers properly? You installing the cam seals with the caps? Or after installing the caps?

Check receiving holes for derby and check cam caps for any burrs. Clean everything thoroughly. With lint free clothes.

Sent from my moto g 5G (2022) using Tapatalk

Mauled · 11-17-2023, 01:11 PM

No it was definetly coming out between the block and the head. Not the cam caps or the valve covers. Right where the oil port is on the block/head. I put uv dye in the oil to test it and confirmed it. When I pulled the heads off it looks like the machine shop resurfaced the heads with sandpaper, the finish was way to rough. This time around I told him I want a 50ra finish.

I have a couple questions, how much material can I take off the heads before having to run a thicker head gasket? Last time it was resurfaced I just ran the stock thickness and it was fine. I'm wondering if I can do the same, and if I will run into any problems with timing?

Elbert Bass · 11-17-2023, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mauled

No it was definetly coming out between the block and the head. Not the cam caps or the valve covers. Right where the oil port is on the block/head. I put uv dye in the oil to test it and confirmed it. When I pulled the heads off it looks like the machine shop resurfaced the heads with sandpaper, the finish was way to rough. This time around I told him I want a 50ra finish.

I have a couple questions, how much material can I take off the heads before having to run a thicker head gasket? Last time it was resurfaced I just ran the stock thickness and it was fine. I'm wondering if I can do the same, and if I will run into any problems with timing?

There is a head height specification in FSM - if you would care to share what model/year/engine you are working on someone may look up the correct information for your application and share.

Mauled · 11-18-2023, 06:50 PM

It's an ej207 version 8 motor. With about .005 removed off the heads. I used the stock head gasket last time after the resurface and was fine, so now an extra .003. Should be fine right?

Hoping I don't have an issue with timing as well.

spoolinsti05 · 11-18-2023, 11:46 PM

.008 is the maximum of I recall. So you'll need thicker gaskets. Or timing won't be right.

Sent from my moto g 5G (2022) using Tapatalk

rtv900 · 11-20-2023, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mauled

It's an ej207 version 8 motor. With about .005 removed off the heads. I used the stock head gasket last time after the resurface and was fine, so now an extra .003. Should be fine right?

Hoping I don't have an issue with timing as well.

how's a gasket issue going to affect timing?

Jedi03 · 11-20-2023, 04:35 PM

when the distance is reduced the number of teeth between the pulleys is less, https://www.flatironstuning.com/blog...nent-up-grades

tunermt · 11-20-2023, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mauled

It's an ej207 version 8 motor. With about .005 removed off the heads. I used the stock head gasket last time after the resurface and was fine, so now an extra .003. Should be fine right?

Hoping I don't have an issue with timing as well.

will be close, try to machine them flat and check how much you had to take off. If it's well past spec likely better off getting a fresh set of heads to use in the new build.
OEM subi mls head gaskets are great, some aftermarket thicker gaskets can be less then ideal but may sneak you by in this case.

Good luck hope you have her back together and boosting soon

Mauled · 11-27-2023, 02:25 PM

I bolted the heads on with the stock head gaskets. Total taken off the heads are somewhere around .005.

10-21-2023, 12:07 PM	#1
Mauled Scooby Newbie Member#: 500169 Join Date: Apr 2019	Oil leak between block and head I'm trying to identify what could of caused this to happen, my car started leaking oil out between the block and the head. It's the driver side head and it was leaking oil out of the top front corner of the head, near where the oil is sent into the head through the block. As soon as I started the car up it would leak and run all the way down the front of the engine behind the timing cover and pool oil on the bottom. I replaced the head gaskets last year, not because it overheated (it didnt), but just because I put arp head studs on. The heads were decked before I put them back on. The only thing I didn't do when cleaning the gasket surface on the block was take the dowel pins out, I wonder if this would be a good idea. The leak is right near where one of the dowel pins is. Ill post up pictures later today of what the head gasket looked like upon removal. I'm just wondering if anyone else has seen this and how common it is for a head gasket to leak oil only. I'm in the process of putting it back together now and just wondering if there's anything I can do differently that will help. I don't have any shops near me to do this so I'm forced to fix it myself. Thanks. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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10-24-2023, 10:04 AM	#2
danger1138 Scooby Specialist Member#: 279525 Join Date: Apr 2011 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Arkansas Vehicle: 06 Fxt	What vehicle (model and tear) is in question? Possibly AVCS banjo bolts loose??

10-25-2023, 12:44 AM	#3
spoolinsti05 Scooby Guru Member#: 108051 Join Date: Feb 2006 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Oneonta, NY Vehicle: 2005 WRX STi WRB	You sure it isn't a cam seal? You sealing the avcs cam covers properly? You installing the cam seals with the caps? Or after installing the caps? Check receiving holes for derby and check cam caps for any burrs. Clean everything thoroughly. With lint free clothes. Sent from my moto g 5G (2022) using Tapatalk

11-17-2023, 01:11 PM	#4
Mauled Scooby Newbie Member#: 500169 Join Date: Apr 2019	No it was definetly coming out between the block and the head. Not the cam caps or the valve covers. Right where the oil port is on the block/head. I put uv dye in the oil to test it and confirmed it. When I pulled the heads off it looks like the machine shop resurfaced the heads with sandpaper, the finish was way to rough. This time around I told him I want a 50ra finish. I have a couple questions, how much material can I take off the heads before having to run a thicker head gasket? Last time it was resurfaced I just ran the stock thickness and it was fine. I'm wondering if I can do the same, and if I will run into any problems with timing?

11-18-2023, 06:50 PM	#6
Mauled Scooby Newbie Member#: 500169 Join Date: Apr 2019	It's an ej207 version 8 motor. With about .005 removed off the heads. I used the stock head gasket last time after the resurface and was fine, so now an extra .003. Should be fine right? Hoping I don't have an issue with timing as well.

11-18-2023, 11:46 PM	#7
spoolinsti05 Scooby Guru Member#: 108051 Join Date: Feb 2006 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Oneonta, NY Vehicle: 2005 WRX STi WRB	.008 is the maximum of I recall. So you'll need thicker gaskets. Or timing won't be right. Sent from my moto g 5G (2022) using Tapatalk

11-20-2023, 04:35 PM	#9
Jedi03 Scooby Specialist Member#: 491095 Join Date: Sep 2018 Chapter/Region: SWIC Location: New Mexico Vehicle: 2009 STi Blue Blue	when the distance is reduced the number of teeth between the pulleys is less, https://www.flatironstuning.com/blog...nent-up-grades

11-27-2023, 02:25 PM	#11
Mauled Scooby Newbie Member#: 500169 Join Date: Apr 2019	I bolted the heads on with the stock head gaskets. Total taken off the heads are somewhere around .005.