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khai_tuan_nguyen · 08-14-2004, 07:16 PM

What is the difference/ symtoms of a blown head gasket and an oil leak between head and block?

I have a small oil leak between the head and the block on the dist side? How do I know if it a blown head gasket? I just replaced the head gasket.

Is there significant power loss or any problems i can run into with a head leak?

Khai

2000Si · 08-15-2004, 04:03 AM

Do a compression check. Wash off your engine and then drive it around.

94RedSiGal · 08-15-2004, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by revolution8k@Aug 15 2004, 04:03 AM
Do a compression check. Wash off your engine and then drive it around.

Quoted post

After you drive it around, check your coolant level, your oil level and the quality of your oil. Make sure that the coolant isn't mixing in with your oil. Also check your exhaust fumes for white vapor trails.

Johnnylawless · 08-15-2004, 09:41 PM

It Could be your distributor o-ring leaking. Very common,drips down the head,then flows onto the headgasket then onto the spot that has the gasket id #'s on it. looks just like a gasket leak.
Hell it's worth a shot to check!!!!!!
Good luck,JIM

Bl6CRX · 08-15-2004, 11:01 PM

yeah its probably the dizzy o-ring or vtec solenoid leaking

khai_tuan_nguyen · 08-16-2004, 12:37 AM

How can I check if it is a dizzy seal or vtec sole seal? Will there be oil around the side where the dizzy is or where the vtec sole is? If it is not easy to see can someone show me a picture?

Thanks
Khai

Arachnid · 08-16-2004, 12:51 AM

yeah, there will be oil around and really close to the dizzy and/or the solenoid. a headgasket leak shouldn't get oil up there.

Johnnylawless · 08-16-2004, 01:00 AM

Look right under each. If its leaking, there should be some oil and maybe some dust on the oil.you can clean the oil off using some spray brake cleaner on the area under your Vtec solenoid and the distributor, also spray the area around the head gasket that has the suspected leak to clean off any oil. Then just keep an eye on that area for oil to appear. Are you using oil more than usual?

pissedoffsol · 08-16-2004, 09:13 AM

you've got the exact same leak that 80% of built B-series motors get. I have it too. its just a little moistness right in the very corner by the dizzy. it happens to the best of us. The head just never fits PERFECT.

i'm losing less than a tea spoon a week it seems... so its not a big deal to me. if your loosing more, look into getting some sort of sealent on the corner.

khai_tuan_nguyen · 08-16-2004, 11:22 AM

Here is the thing. I was leaking a lot of oil before and just a tiny (hardly noticable) coolant. There was no white smoke It was leaking everywhere, cam seals, distributor side around the header area.

I took the head off, got it decked to make sure it was flat then put it back on. I was assuming the block was flat. I put new str cam seals and a str seal around the vtec solenoid (sp).

It stopped the leaking everywhere except on the distributor side. I have no smoke and am not losing any coolant. I am still losing quite a but of oil. If I take a trip for about 200 miles I lose about a quart, it may be because it is a long trip and it is getting hot, because other than that I am losing a quart every month or so. I also notice more of a leak when i drive hard, hitting vtec and so on.

khai_tuan_nguyen · 08-16-2004, 11:24 AM

hey B,
my leak is not really on just a corner though, it seems to be a lot all along the gasket. I looked for the leak around the distributor and so some dust buildup, but not a whole lot.

Is it possible to have a leak from the gasket, but not have a blown head gasket (ie no white smoke or missing coolant)?

khai_tuan_nguyen · 08-16-2004, 05:54 PM

GSRCRXsi · 08-23-2004, 01:32 AM

did you reuse the head gasket when you pulled the head? or did you get a new one?

ohmstable · 08-23-2004, 10:28 PM

Just a wild guess.. but couldn't it be something as simple as the valve cover seal?

khai_tuan_nguyen · 08-23-2004, 11:45 PM

I used a new one. Valvecover does not leak.

Khai

08-14-2004, 07:16 PM	#1
khai_tuan_nguyen Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 581 iTrader: 0 / 0% Rep Power: 18	What is the difference/ symtoms of a blown head gasket and an oil leak between head and block? I have a small oil leak between the head and the block on the dist side? How do I know if it a blown head gasket? I just replaced the head gasket. Is there significant power loss or any problems i can run into with a head leak? Khai __________________ <a href=\'http://www.hondaswap.com/forums/index.php?act=module&module=gallery &cmd=user&user=25607&op=view_album& album=107\' target=\'_blank\'>PICTURES: Type R Stuff/ B-Series Parts for Sale</a>

08-15-2004, 09:41 PM	#4
Johnnylawless Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 227 iTrader: 0 / 0% Rep Power: 15	It Could be your distributor o-ring leaking. Very common,drips down the head,then flows onto the headgasket then onto the spot that has the gasket id #'s on it. looks just like a gasket leak. Hell it's worth a shot to check!!!!!! Good luck,JIM __________________ ---------------1.7Ltr IB Spec Turbo Monster !!!--------------- '95 EJ Coupe, B16A Swap bored to 84mm with GE HD Sleeves,IB Spec JE Pistons,IB Spec SCAT H-Beam Rods,Type R LSD Trans,AEM Adjustable Cam Gears,Fluidyne Radiator, RC 750cc Injectors, AEM EMS Standalone With AEM Wideband UEGO O2 Controller, GM 3BAR MAP Sensor,GM Boost Control Solenoid,Turbonetics Stage 5 62-1 Turbo,2.5" Custom Exhaust, HKS SSQ BOV,Trust Type 31 Intercooler,ACT Streetlite Flywheel,ACT Streetdisc,ACT Xtreme pressure plate,Complete Energy Suspension Kit, 17" Katana Racing rims,Falken GRB FK451 225/35ZR17. -------Daily Driven,Full Interior,Complete Sound System------ ------------------------Certified Sleeper---------------------------- <a href=\"http://home1.gte.net/res0gy53/CARSWAP%20PICS.htm\" target=\"_blank\">My swap Pics (56K Beware)</a>

08-16-2004, 12:37 AM	#6
khai_tuan_nguyen Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 581 iTrader: 0 / 0% Rep Power: 18	How can I check if it is a dizzy seal or vtec sole seal? Will there be oil around the side where the dizzy is or where the vtec sole is? If it is not easy to see can someone show me a picture? Thanks Khai __________________ <a href=\'http://www.hondaswap.com/forums/index.php?act=module&module=gallery &cmd=user&user=25607&op=view_album& album=107\' target=\'_blank\'>PICTURES: Type R Stuff/ B-Series Parts for Sale</a>

08-16-2004, 01:00 AM	#8
Johnnylawless Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 227 iTrader: 0 / 0% Rep Power: 15	Look right under each. If its leaking, there should be some oil and maybe some dust on the oil.you can clean the oil off using some spray brake cleaner on the area under your Vtec solenoid and the distributor, also spray the area around the head gasket that has the suspected leak to clean off any oil. Then just keep an eye on that area for oil to appear. Are you using oil more than usual? __________________ ---------------1.7Ltr IB Spec Turbo Monster !!!--------------- '95 EJ Coupe, B16A Swap bored to 84mm with GE HD Sleeves,IB Spec JE Pistons,IB Spec SCAT H-Beam Rods,Type R LSD Trans,AEM Adjustable Cam Gears,Fluidyne Radiator, RC 750cc Injectors, AEM EMS Standalone With AEM Wideband UEGO O2 Controller, GM 3BAR MAP Sensor,GM Boost Control Solenoid,Turbonetics Stage 5 62-1 Turbo,2.5" Custom Exhaust, HKS SSQ BOV,Trust Type 31 Intercooler,ACT Streetlite Flywheel,ACT Streetdisc,ACT Xtreme pressure plate,Complete Energy Suspension Kit, 17" Katana Racing rims,Falken GRB FK451 225/35ZR17. -------Daily Driven,Full Interior,Complete Sound System------ ------------------------Certified Sleeper---------------------------- <a href=\"http://home1.gte.net/res0gy53/CARSWAP%20PICS.htm\" target=\"_blank\">My swap Pics (56K Beware)</a>

08-16-2004, 11:22 AM	#10
khai_tuan_nguyen Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 581 iTrader: 0 / 0% Rep Power: 18	Here is the thing. I was leaking a lot of oil before and just a tiny (hardly noticable) coolant. There was no white smoke It was leaking everywhere, cam seals, distributor side around the header area. I took the head off, got it decked to make sure it was flat then put it back on. I was assuming the block was flat. I put new str cam seals and a str seal around the vtec solenoid (sp). It stopped the leaking everywhere except on the distributor side. I have no smoke and am not losing any coolant. I am still losing quite a but of oil. If I take a trip for about 200 miles I lose about a quart, it may be because it is a long trip and it is getting hot, because other than that I am losing a quart every month or so. I also notice more of a leak when i drive hard, hitting vtec and so on. __________________ <a href=\'http://www.hondaswap.com/forums/index.php?act=module&module=gallery &cmd=user&user=25607&op=view_album& album=107\' target=\'_blank\'>PICTURES: Type R Stuff/ B-Series Parts for Sale</a>


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08-15-2004, 11:01 PM	#5
Bl6CRX Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: UCLA Posts: 1,546 iTrader: 0 / 0% Rep Power: 28	yeah its probably the dizzy o-ring or vtec solenoid leaking

08-16-2004, 12:51 AM	#7
Arachnid Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 211 iTrader: 0 / 0% Rep Power: 14	yeah, there will be oil around and really close to the dizzy and/or the solenoid. a headgasket leak shouldn't get oil up there.

08-16-2004, 09:13 AM	#9
pissedoffsol RETIRED Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Retirement Home Age: 29 Posts: 49,951 iTrader: 2 / 100% Ride: Electric Scooter Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 531	you've got the exact same leak that 80% of built B-series motors get. I have it too. its just a little moistness right in the very corner by the dizzy. it happens to the best of us. The head just never fits PERFECT. i'm losing less than a tea spoon a week it seems... so its not a big deal to me. if your loosing more, look into getting some sort of sealent on the corner.

08-16-2004, 11:24 AM	#11
khai_tuan_nguyen Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 581 iTrader: 0 / 0% Rep Power: 18	hey B, my leak is not really on just a corner though, it seems to be a lot all along the gasket. I looked for the leak around the distributor and so some dust buildup, but not a whole lot. Is it possible to have a leak from the gasket, but not have a blown head gasket (ie no white smoke or missing coolant)? __________________ <a href=\'http://www.hondaswap.com/forums/index.php?act=module&module=gallery &cmd=user&user=25607&op=view_album& album=107\' target=\'_blank\'>PICTURES: Type R Stuff/ B-Series Parts for Sale</a>

08-16-2004, 05:54 PM	#12
khai_tuan_nguyen Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 581 iTrader: 0 / 0% Rep Power: 18	??? __________________ <a href=\'http://www.hondaswap.com/forums/index.php?act=module&module=gallery &cmd=user&user=25607&op=view_album& album=107\' target=\'_blank\'>PICTURES: Type R Stuff/ B-Series Parts for Sale</a>

08-23-2004, 10:28 PM	#14
ohmstable Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 147 iTrader: 0 / 0% Rep Power: 15	Just a wild guess.. but couldn't it be something as simple as the valve cover seal? __________________ -\|\/\/\/\/\\|- Ohmstable

08-23-2004, 11:45 PM	#15
khai_tuan_nguyen Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 581 iTrader: 0 / 0% Rep Power: 18	I used a new one. Valvecover does not leak. Khai __________________ <a href=\'http://www.hondaswap.com/forums/index.php?act=module&module=gallery &cmd=user&user=25607&op=view_album& album=107\' target=\'_blank\'>PICTURES: Type R Stuff/ B-Series Parts for Sale</a>

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Blown Head Gasket/Oil leak