oil leak???

[TulsaSpider]

I was just at the parts store and was looking around the passenger side of the motor, which has always been verrry oily. I noticed a small fitting just above the oil pan seam on the motor under the exaust about smack in the middle of the motor. (not at home right now I'll post pics later) This fitting is capped with a brass nut. I noticed that it had a drop of oil hanging there... Could this be the source of all this oil?? What is it?? I wanted to check it out before I pulled it off and tried sealing it. If this is the source of an oil leak it should be an easy fix!!

[So Cal Mark]

that is the drain for the cooling system. Your leak could be from the exhaust studs if it's dripping mid-block

[TulsaSpider]

Exaust studs??? That sounds soooo bizzarre to me! Ok so if that is the case there's probably no easy fix...

[danaspider]

The exhaust studs go into the oil races of the engine. So as Mark says, if they are loose then can leak. I know this becuase I had one blow out at 80mph, pretty cool amount of smoke as oil blows onto the exhaust!! Not a hard thing to look at, to check than all bolts are tight on the exhaust. Do not over tighten! Can strip out.

The drip of oil on the drain probably came from somewhere else, and is just caught on the plug.

[So Cal Mark]

the two upper exhaust studs are threaded into the area where oil collects under the cam. If those studs are loose, or no sealer on the threads, they can leak. Short of removing the exhaust manifold, you can remove the cam covers, suck some of the oil out and apply sealer to the threaded holes. Let the sealer dry completely before running the engine

[TulsaSpider]

Ok I'll try it! Thanks as always!

[TulsaSpider]

So I only have to remove the top of the cam covers, not the lower part which the cam sits on??? Mark what's a good sealer to use there??

[TulsaSpider]

Ugh! While I had the radiator out and such I went to tighten those exaust nuts and I did turn a few of them about a full turn so that's good, anyways the last one on the #4 (was a BOOGER to get to) was stripped , so I really want to stop that oil leak. If I take off the top cover will I have access to it?

[So Cal Mark]

only the top two exhuast stud holes go into the oil wells, the very back stud won't leak.

[TulsaSpider]

oh well that's good I suppose.... I suppose I can't get to those bolts then? What sealant should I use?? So they are just under the upper cover then???

[So Cal Mark]

the two holes that leak are under the cam cover. I'd use an rtv type sealer on them. Make sure the rtv is completely set up before running the engine again