HELP !!! I think I've got a blown head gasket but not sure..

[spiderman2000]

Help please !!!!!

My dad who is dying of cancer gave me his pride and joy spider 2000. He wanted to give it to me before he died because he knew I would take good care of it and would enjoy it as much as he did. Well long story short it has virtually sat for the last several years only being run about once a month. I just went through the hellish nightmare of putting on a new water pump (every bolt snapped off) . Got that done, and decided to put a new timing belt on while I was at it. Finally finished it. Got in the car and started it up. Was going to check the timing out, when all I saw was smoke coming out of the engine bay..... Well some of it turned out to be burn off (spilled something on the exhaust manifold) but, I looked a little closer and I saw bubbles coming out from around the exhaust manifold and there is oil or something all over the side of the engine engine block (some of it fresh). The fresh stuff was running down the block at both the front and rear of the block. It was very hard to tell where exactly it was coming from.....

Well I did all the usual checks.....radiator pressure....looked for bubbles in the radiator...water in the oil.....nothing. No signs at all. Not sure what to do next.....

I could really use any advise you might have.......

I am desperately trying to get this thing up and in running condition before he dies........ I want him to see it being put to good use.

[adrians]

Jay,

Any chance you over filled the oil ?

The majority of 2000 motors leak oil from the head/block just near/above the 3rd and 4th exhaust outlets, something about the oil channels being close to the edges.

Clean it up and recheck that area !

Regards

[spiderman2000]

No such luck. I did not change the oil. Dipped it and it looked a little dirty and a hair low, but I figured I would change the oil and filter and do other maintenance items once I got it timed and running.

Boy do I wish it was that !!!

[So Cal Mark]

that doesn't indicate a blown head gasket, but possible oil leaks from the cam housing. The head gasket can leak oil from the right rear corner, but leaks from the cam box are more common. With a cold engine, clean all of the spilled stuff off, then run it and watch for the source
And, really sorry to hear about your dad. I hope you can spend some time with him and a functioning car.

[spiderman2000]

Thanks for the response Mark, cleaning is going to be my first task. Once I clean it off I will run and check for obvious locations for leaks. In the meantime here are a few pics that describe what we are seeing...



http://s648.photobucket.com/albums/uu20 ... er%202000/

[So Cal Mark]

since the upper exhaust studs are very oily, there is a good chance the oil is leaking around the stud itself. The two upper stud holes are drilled all of the way through the cam housing, so they are open to the oil under the cam. Those studs need to be tight, and sealed on the inside of the cam housing. If I were you, first I'd clean that side of the engine, then remove the cam covers and clean the end of the studs and holes on the upper exhaust manifold studs, Then apply some rtv sealer and let it dry completely before running the engine again. I'd check the head bolt torque and cam housing torque. Also check the rear cam plate for tightness. Possible leak points are the rear cam plate, upper exhaust studs, dist base gasket or internal seal, cam housing or head gasket.
The pressurized oil feed hole is in the rear corner of the head, outside of the head bolts, so it is possible to get a leak there but until you get all that gunk cleaned off you won't know for sure. The gunk around the exhaust studs is above the head gasket though, so work from the top down eliminating leaks

[TulsaSpider]

Mine looked exactly like this when I got it and it looked like this for months of me driving it. To me it was a nuisance, but if it leaks too much then you have a fire hazard I suppose. Yours is not a new problem it's looks like it's been doing this for a while so it's probably not an urgent problem. My problem was that the two upper exhaust studs were leaking, it turns out that the studs were gone and bolts had been put in their place. That and the previous owner or someone had put a rubber gasket in the oil vapor separator which caused pressure to build up and oil comes out anywhere it can. The same thing happens when the separator is clogged with gunk. I sealed my bolts and cleaned out the separator (this job is a pain) and I have no more leaks! On one of Mark's suggestions the inner seal on the distributor, I thought I'd give more info. Take the distributor cap off and see if there is any oil inside the distributor, if not you are good. You'll know more after you clean the block. I'd get a couple of can of brake cleaner, and a wire brush, take it to somewhere that it's ok to make a nasty mess, or get a bunch of cardboard and place under that area and go to work, then you can see where the leaks are occurring.
I wish you the best and if I had the opportunity I'd do exactly the same thing. Please keep us updated and some pics of your car would be great!
Good luck!

[spiderman2000]

Mark

I was in the process of degreasing the engine and was checking the location of the studs (I have not taken anything apart yet), but in your posting you stated that the studs go into the cam housing. As I look closer it appears that the studs actually go into the head itself. I am new to the fiat game and maybe I am just missing something or having not taken it apart yet I am just not seeing it. Could you please clarify for me. Sorry if I am being stupid, I am just trying to be very cautious about what I do.

Thanks.

[So Cal Mark]

uh yeah, they go into the cyl head, that's where the exhaust ports are! Sorry for the misinformation!

[narfire]

Hey Mark, I have the same issue. Looking at a spare 2L head the top studs are drilled through to the wet side. Do I take the studs out and put sealer/locktight on the studs and replace or clean and a dab on the backside of the stud? Bit leary of the second way incase it breaks free.
This should close the wound up there.
Is there an "O" ring in conjunction with the front crank seal. Even with a new seal I seem to get oozing there as well.
Sometimes I think these engines have the Ebola virus, still love them though.
Chris

[So Cal Mark]

the studs need to be seated. I haven't had any issues with a dab of sealer coming loose on the inside. Just make sure it's clean and dry when you apply it. No o-ring on the front, just the seal. Make sure your crankcase ventilation is clean and working, or you'll never get the leaks stopped

[spiderman2000]

Thanks everyone for the great advice !

I took the exhaust manifold off. Some of the studs I was able to remove by hand. I degreased everything and what do you know, there is actually and engine under all that grease. I put on a new manifold gasket, replaced and sealed the studs and everything is dry as a bone !!!!!

[TulsaSpider]

Awesome!! Umm I sure hope you used loctite or thread sealant!!