6.9idi head retorqueing.

JacobHansen

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Heads are still holding strong compression and truck runs amazing was driving it daily until snow fall....although I'm losing oil bad on the passengers side head area. Has new VC gaskets and I made sure to snug up the hard to reach bolts good.
My question now is..

how much oil should remain on the heads by time you get the covers off?

Looks like maybe its not flowing back into the block. There was nearly no oil remaining on the drivers side under VC. But the passengers side had a lot sitting closer to the fire wall side. Maybe 1 1/2 inchs of oil (near the top where the cover seats) I remember when retorqueing one bolt was leaking up air and bubbing the oil.

Could it be possible that my VC is becoming overfull when running?

Its Leaking all over the starter and exhaust. Pretty noticeable amounts at hot idle.

Also I'm not sure of the true oil level. One side of the dip says low, other side says high. I always add a little to be safe. As it's leaking anyway.

Is it possible that its over full? I plan to change the oil shortly and then notch the dip where the new 11qt level is. Although most of the oil is new by now.
It didn't leak this bad before. And actually wasn't this bad until long after the retorqueing of the heads. Very very little oil weeping around front near water pump area but it's well oiled all around except drivers side.
Any advice would be appreciated. Or maybe ways to check this. It doesn't leak cold. Or not enough to drip when cold.
 

david85

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This is the first I've heard that these engines need to be retorqued. I haven't done this with the studs in mine, but I'm hoping it won't matter. I'm well beyond 30k miles by now.
 

IDIBRONCO

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how much oil should remain on the heads by time you get the covers off?
Very, very little.
Looks like maybe its not flowing back into the block. There was nearly no oil remaining on the drivers side under VC. But the passengers side had a lot sitting closer to the fire wall side. Maybe 1 1/2 inchs of oil (near the top where the cover seats)
The driver's side is how they should both look. The rear drain back hole is probably plugged for some reason. Pulll the valve cover back off and try to unplug the hole (I know-hooray, right?).
Could it be possible that my VC is becoming overfull when running?
This is almost ceraitnly what's causing the leak.
Is it possible that its over full?
It could be. Your idea of marking the full level after an oil change is a great idea and probably the best way to go.
 

JacobHansen

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Ok. That's what I was hoping to hear. I'll pull the cover and take a better look. Just got some oil so waiting on the filter. I'll pull the VC and post back what I find. Any ideas on how to un plug that drain hole if it is plugged? Jam a thin rod down it? Maybe air pressure would do it. Thanks.
 

JacobHansen

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Can I completely eliminate it being the heads leaking due to the oil being above the head to block surfaces? I haven't had the chance yet to pull it apart yet . Going to try tonight. But while looking at it. There is definitely oil above the head gasket. But as stated its soaked under there too. I can't imagine if the head was leaking that the oil would travel up? Idk though.
 

IDIBRONCO

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Can I completely eliminate it being the heads leaking due to the oil being above the head to block surfaces? I haven't had the chance yet to pull it apart yet . Going to try tonight. But while looking at it. There is definitely oil above the head gasket. But as stated its soaked under there too. I can't imagine if the head was leaking that the oil would travel up? Idk though.
I'd say that it's next to impossible for this to be head gaskets. The main reason is because there's no oil pressure going through the heads. The oil that's under pressure goes through the push rods. The next reason would be gravity. like you pointed out. Oil doesn't flow up. I wouldn't use air pressure to try to clear out that drain hole. You may end up wearing a lot of it. It could get into your eye(s) too. Before I did anything else, I'd feel around with a finger to see if I could tell what's blocking the hole. Then I'd try to pick/pull/bring the object upward so that I could get it out instead of shoving it down into the hole. Ar best, it will end up in the oil pan where it could possibly block most or all of the oil pump pick up. After all of your work, don't starve the engine of oil.
 

JacobHansen

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Ok. I did the oil change...... wow almost 5 gallons came out.. maybe had over filled it huh? also found the dipstick tube was not in very far!. So i filled the filter then added 10 quarts. While I had it the shop I also removed the passenger VC. Inspected the gasket and surfaces. All checked out. Nothing plugging the drain hole. I looked behind the head and it definitely seems to be looking like the head is leaking oil. Maybe cracked? No oil leaks at VC at this point.
Although there is substantially less oil leaking after putting it back together. About a quarter size spot 3 places under the passengers side. The starter is still getting wet but not like before and nothing on the exhaust now, I'll live with it until it shows more HG problems. When I had the filter off I Found the drivers side motor mount was not bolted in to the motor.
 

JacobHansen

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Ok guys thought I'd update and ask a few questions. Many many miles and worked pretty hard most days. Still no combustion leaks or loss of coolant. Truck still runs great after retorqueing the heads. But... im losing oil, passengers side back of the head. There is a small bolt that looks to be the culprit. Until I ge thg time to get under and tighten that up. What arw the risks of over tightening the head bolts?? My thought is this. I sealed a combustion leak with the retorqueing. But the passengers side rear is leaking. Could they're be any harm done by tightening down the rear bolts to see if that stops or slows the leak? It leaks bad once warmed up but no leaks when cold. I know it should just be redone with gaskets and fresh machine work. But it is an old rusty truck too. Thanks guys.
 

DaveBen

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What did you "tighten" them up to? If you did not use a torque wrench then you are flying blind. Only thing to do is remove the heads and make sure they are FLAT and re-install using new gaskets.
 

IDIBRONCO

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Can you take a picture of where you think the oil is coming from so that we can see it?
 

jrollf

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Could be a valve cover gasket that needs replaced/bolts torqued. Mine were leaking and would follow the seam between the head and block making it look like the head was leaking.

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JacobHansen

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It's from what I can tell a leak at the head gasket in the rear of the passenger side the small bolt to the oil galley is not the leak.. VC gaskets are new. I did retorque to 130lbs. The leak is pretty severe when the engine gets to operating temp. But it doesn't leak cold or on short drives. After about an hour drive it's a steady drip. I believe as it heats up, the heads are separating just enough to let the oil through. I would like to replace gaskets and have them machined but it's just not an option right now. Will it cause damage if I do use a bit more then 130 ft lbs? And or only tighten the rear bolts?

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IDIBRONCO

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I hate to say this, but at this point, I'd have to agree with Dave Ben. It may be time to pull the heads. I definitely wouldn't go any more than the 130 lb/ft that you're already at. You're about 50 lb/ft over stock torque now. Your other choice would be to check out the valley pan and oil sending unit closely. Those are the only other two places that I can think that oil could be leaking from and still be running down there.
 

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