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Oil seeping around head gasket

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by mhhpartner, Nov 21, 2010.

  1. mhhpartner

    mhhpartner Member

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    XJers:

    My baby Seca is getting the cylinder slightly oily around the head gasket area. Head nuts are tight.

    Is this common on XJs (and my similar 400) as they age or does it mean an impending blown head gasket?

    The OEM head gaskets seem to be getting rare, so I went ahead and purchased one. Just trying to figure out if I need to go ahead and install it.

    Thanks much,
    Herb
     
    mhhpartner, Nov 21, 2010
    #1
  2. MiCarl

    MiCarl Active Member

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    Most likely it is the rocker cover gasket.

    The head has drain openings to prevent water from pooling around the spark plugs. Those holes are just above the head gasket on the front of the engine.

    When the valve cover gasket leaks it runs down through those holes and wicks along the head gasket, making it look like the gasket is seeping oil.
     
    MiCarl, Nov 22, 2010
    #2
  3. mhhpartner

    mhhpartner Member

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    Thanks Carl. I'll do a little investigating. Sure would be nice it it's that simple.
     
    mhhpartner, Nov 23, 2010
    #3
  4. clipperskipper

    clipperskipper Member

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    The valve gasket is pretty easy to change. Give all of the hardware a good soaking with blaster or similar.
     
    clipperskipper, Nov 23, 2010
    #4
  5. XJ4Keeps

    XJ4Keeps Member

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    It probably is. Carl is right about the drippy rocker gaskets, and if the HG was blown, you would likely be experiencing worse symptoms than just a little oil collecting on the fins.
     
    XJ4Keeps, Nov 23, 2010
    #5
  6. waldo

    waldo Member

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    You could always do a leak down test to check head gasket but it is more than likely just a valve cover gasket when you get done with yours mine needs replacing to.
     
    waldo, Nov 23, 2010
    #6

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