924 oil leak, head gasket?
Discussion
Noticed fairly high oil usage on my 924 2.0 although I've heard it's not uncommon. Had to change the plugs because one was fouled (they all looked fairly knackered) and I'm not sure when they were done last. Got me thinking as to where the oil is going as I don't seem to have any smoke and it passed emissions at MOT time. It does smell a fair bit of oil like an 'old car' smell so in the course of changing the exhaust manifold gaskets (nightmare to change but that's a different story) I've had a closer look and it seems that there is an oil leak at the back of the side of the engine. Hard to tell where but it looks like it's coming from between the head/block and oil is being heated by the exhaust maybe causing the smell. I don't get oil on the floor so it must be a slow leak but there is a fair amount on the block. The head gasket according to service history was changed at 73k and it's now on 103k.
1) Is a leaky head gasket common, what else can it be?
2) Is this really a big deal, or while I have the exhaust manifold off should I consider changing the head gasket?
Sorry about the pic, not sure if it helps but grateful for any assistance from any 924 gurus out there!
1) Is a leaky head gasket common, what else can it be?
2) Is this really a big deal, or while I have the exhaust manifold off should I consider changing the head gasket?
Sorry about the pic, not sure if it helps but grateful for any assistance from any 924 gurus out there!
Edited by Al 450 on Monday 28th May 23:08
Not common I wouldn't say, mine did double your mileage and only had the head off once. Not serious as long as it is only weeping, should be obvious where it is coming from, Oil travels down so wherever the wetness starts from thats your leak, the rocker box would my best bet but if it is dry round it it may be the head gasket.
If the head gasket was leaking that much then it would have gone in a big way with steam gushing out and the engine eating itself from the oil being contaminated with coolant and not lubricating anymore.
Even with only tiny leaks from the head gasket which do not show any external signs, the contamination of the oil and coolant will be obvious from the sludge which forms on the inside of the oil filler cap and radiator header tank cap.
I would think that oil on the outside of the block there would have come from spillages when topping up the oil.
Even with only tiny leaks from the head gasket which do not show any external signs, the contamination of the oil and coolant will be obvious from the sludge which forms on the inside of the oil filler cap and radiator header tank cap.
I would think that oil on the outside of the block there would have come from spillages when topping up the oil.
Thanks for the replies, looks like I'll have to clean it all up with degreaser and then watch to see where it is coming from. I'll check the rocker cover and cam seals also. There's very little on the head itself, it all seems to be on the block. Not sure what else down there can leak, I've read a piece somewhere about the distributor having a seal that can leak also?
Would be rather good news if it isn't the HG anyway as that would be a pain. I was worried that just an oilway could be leaking to the outside hence no coolant leak, not sure if this is feasible?
Would be rather good news if it isn't the HG anyway as that would be a pain. I was worried that just an oilway could be leaking to the outside hence no coolant leak, not sure if this is feasible?
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