oil leak (help)

1. coopa L-plater Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 46

   #1 16th April 2012, 14:36

   I have an oil leak on the front left of my engine from what looks like the head gasket. I have recently had a new gasket and the head skimmed but the leak is still there. Will tightening the head bolts stop this leak
2. Mochachino Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Nov 2007 Guantanamo Bay Posts: 28700 oyster card

   #2 16th April 2012, 14:50

   The head bolts should have been torqued to a specific amount if done correctly.
   
   How much oil does it leak?
3. coopa L-plater Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 46

   #3 16th April 2012, 14:54

   It did get torqued up to the correct specification but still leaks. It only leaves a puddle the size of a 50p a day. But really wna stop it
4. user_56440 Infrequent Poster Joined: Dec 2011 Bingley, West Yorkshire Posts: 190 GTI-6, Icelandic VTS

   #4 17th April 2012, 00:24

   I personally couldn't justify removing the head again for that little oil. I've never to this day seen a Saxo that hasn't shown signs of oil leaking around the block. Definitely head or could it be leaking down from the rocker cover maybe?
5. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

   #5 17th April 2012, 01:16

   were the surfaces fully clean and also no corrosion of the block/head?
6. coopa L-plater Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 46

   #6 17th April 2012, 07:22

   The two surfaces were clean with no corrosion that's why im a bit stumped. I was thinking of just tightening the head bolts more to see if that would stop it but im unsure if its wise to overtighten them. Any help on how to stop this is very much appreciated
7. devilsadvocate Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2006 Maidstone Posts: 8210 Golf TDI

   #7 17th April 2012, 07:59

   What engine is it?
   You sure its coming from where the head meets the block?
   
   If the bolts were torqued corrected, do not tighten them even more.
8. coopa L-plater Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 46

   #8 17th April 2012, 09:09

   Its a mk 1 vtr so I think its tu 5. It looks like its leaking from the head. When you remove the cambelt cover it looks like its coming from were the head and block meet. Its defo not leaking from the rocker as this was my first thought and changed it. The only other place I could think of in that area is the cam shaft seal but I can't get into see there yet. But seems a lot of oil for that.
9. graham22211 Regular Poster Joined: Feb 2012 blyth northumberland Posts: 260 saxo 1.1i desire and a vectra sri 140 estate

   #9 17th April 2012, 16:56

   head bolts should be redone after 1000 miles
10. KrisB Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Aug 2009 Dorking,Surrey,M25 J9 Posts: 2616 Static -80mm Peugeot 405

    #10 17th April 2012, 17:00

    Hmm, i may look into some kind of sealant to apply as extra around the oil corner. I can't say any of the HG's i've done have failed but as they say... 'Prevention is better than a cure'
11. coopa L-plater Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 46

    #11 17th April 2012, 17:05

    I was thinking of a sealant. How tight should I tighten them after 1000 miles if you know because I will try that
12. KrisB Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Aug 2009 Dorking,Surrey,M25 J9 Posts: 2616 Static -80mm Peugeot 405

    #12 17th April 2012, 17:06

    The 1000 mile thing is just a precaution which 90% of people never do. I wouldnt worry.
    
    How much was taken off your head? Did you have it skimmed by a reputable company? Engineers 'should' know how to skim a head, but if you had a lazy engineer who didnt bother cleaning up the mating faces....
13. coopa L-plater Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 46

    #13 17th April 2012, 17:16

    Was a good company have used them in the past with no problems. He said he hardly had to take anything of it. Even though its only a precaution do you think it may help with the problem
14. KrisB Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Aug 2009 Dorking,Surrey,M25 J9 Posts: 2616 Static -80mm Peugeot 405

    #14 17th April 2012, 17:18

    Probably not to be honest. Your head bolts are stretch bolts anyway.
15. coopa L-plater Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 46

    #15 17th April 2012, 17:26

    Any ideas what I could do to try and stop this as I am totally stumped
16. KrisB Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Aug 2009 Dorking,Surrey,M25 J9 Posts: 2616 Static -80mm Peugeot 405

    #16 17th April 2012, 17:28

    What did the block clean up like? Did you use a nice flat benchstone on it?
    
    Im just wondering if your block aint too good, although never seen the problem before. Other than taking it all apart and doing it again i dont know what else to suggest i'm afraid.
17. coopa L-plater Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 46

    #17 17th April 2012, 18:08

    Would using a good gasket sealant on the join stop it leaking or just cause further trouble
18. coopa L-plater Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 46

    #18 22nd April 2012, 11:37

    Still in need of help. Has anyone got any ideas
19. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

    #19 22nd April 2012, 11:55

    My hg was done about 3yrs ago head skimmed etc & it seeps oil from where you described it has never poured out oil.So i`ve left it & it doesn`t affect the running of the car whatsoever mate.
20. coopa L-plater Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 46

    #20 22nd April 2012, 12:36

    Just makes a mess tho lol
21. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

    #21 22nd April 2012, 12:39

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by coopa Just makes a mess tho lol

    If it was done at a garage then take it back & explain the problem mate.
22. Mochachino Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Nov 2007 Guantanamo Bay Posts: 28700 oyster card

    #22 22nd April 2012, 22:52

    If you mean above the alternator then this is where they commonly leak from.
    
    If it runs ok I wouldnt worry about it.
23. coopa L-plater Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 46

    #23 23rd April 2012, 11:07

    I have heard that a polo hg can be used instead of a saxo one to stop it leaking. But does anyone knw wot mark polo and wot engine size
24. Mochachino Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Nov 2007 Guantanamo Bay Posts: 28700 oyster card

    #24 23rd April 2012, 12:26

    where have you heard that? Never ever heard that before.
25. coopa L-plater Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 46

    #25 23rd April 2012, 15:33

    I was told that a polo hg would cure the leak but does anyone know what envine size and year polo would fit
26. coopa L-plater Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 46

    #26 23rd April 2012, 15:34

    Some one on here had a thread about a hg problem and said that the garage put on a polo hg as they were less likely to leak