My car leaks about 1 quart every 1000 miles or so.
I first looked at the oil pressure sensor as I understand that is a common point of failure where oil leaks are concerned. But it was good.
It doesn't look like the oil is coming from the coming from the valve cover gasket, oil filter housing, or oil pan - based on what it looked like after steam cleaning.
The car runs very good.
There is leaked oil distributed evenly around the the lower part of the engine. So I guess this would indicate that my rings are in good shape and that my loss of oil is from the head gasket. It sure look likes it.
The car has 230,000 miles on it. The head was re-built at 160,000 miles after the car overheated.
One suggestion was to get the tightening sequence and torque spec on the head bolts and tighten the head.
I obtained the "Cylinder Head Assembly Specifications."
They are:
Step#1 - 22 ft-lb Step #2 - Torque angle 90 degrees Step #3 - Torque angle 90 degrees
The proper tightening sequence is also provided.
I have 3 questions:
Q.1. - Since these specs are for assembly, it would mean (I guess) that a new gasket is being used. And this might mean that the specs are not really applicable to my situation since the gasket I have has been in service for a long time. Or it might be that these specs only apply to a situation where the head is completely dissassembled. Does anyone know?????????
Q.2. - I would guess that what the specs say is that every head bolt is tightend in the proper sequence to 22 ft-lb, then 2 more sequences are performed where a quarter turn is applied to each bolt. Is that what the specs are saying????????
Q.3. Heck- what if I just tighten the bolts uniformly in the proper sequence in an effort to stop the leak???????? Would there be any great harm in that?????
Thanks in advance.
All responses are appreciated.
- Ben