Head Gasket Oil Leak?

[NeverHave-I-Ether]

I have this oil drip coming from passenger beside of truck. I have already done valve covers and they are on correctly and NOT dripping oil. I double and triple checked. Is it possible for the head gasket to drip oil? I attached a photo and if you look past the starter you see the wet oil which appears to be the head gasket. Thoughts?

Never-Have-I-Ether

 

[gnathv]

Is the valley dry? There is a drain at the rear that can drain down the passenger side rear, that could cause what you’re seeing.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

The problem with the old "my head gaskets are leaking oil" theory is that there isn't any pressurized oil that goes thought the head gaskets. The pressurized oil goes through the push rods. All of the oil that goes through the head gaskets themselves is just drain back oil that only has the pressure of gravity behind it. I'm not saying that it can't happen, just that it's extremely unlikely. The only way that I can see that there could be oil coming out of the head gaskets externally would be if the head bolts were extremely loose and I doubt that your engine would be able to run since there is many times more pressure inside the cylinders and that should blow our first if the bolts were that loose.
In the picture with the back of your head, I can see where oil had been running down from the valve cover leak, but I can't tell for sure if there's any fresh oil there. It doesn't look like it to me. How long ago did you change the valve cover gaskets? Is it possible that this is still left over from the valve cover leak?

 

[Nero]

I had oil and small bubbles coming from the same exact spot on an engine that was in my dad's truck. Hope you don't find a can of worms. His had a broken ring and a scored hole.

 

[rewbrooks50]

I have the same issue. Rear passenger side oil leak all over the starter. Intake pan appears to be dry. Could it be leaking from the turbo oil line? The steel line is tight at the block. Can't see very well in that area.

 

[Black dawg]

Have seen many leak there.....dry at the valve covers and intake.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Could it be leaking from the turbo oil line? The steel line is tight at the block. Can't see very well in that area.

Yes it could be. You could run your hand around all over the oil feed line to see if you get any oil on your hand.

 

[NeverHave-I-Ether]

My truck is N/A. Should have clarified, I forget about tubo's!

Looking at the valley pan and it appears to be dry. I'll check again tomorrow to double check. Perhaps it's old sludge from the valve covers slowly coming off? Didn't think of that until now.

Good point @IDIBRONCO, that's definitely good brain food to think on. I'll keep investigating, and I think you may be right. I'll bring out some brake cleaner this week when the storm clears.

Never-Have-I-Ether

 

[The_Josh_Bear]

Since it's NA it could also be leaking at the CDR valve. This will drain down to the same left-side-starter dribble so many of us have.

 

[12pilgrim]

Same story here. My 6.9 slowly leaks oil from the rear of the passenger side head also. If I watch it I can see very small bubbles. It is definitely black oil, not coolant (no white streaks). No exhaust fumes in the coolant and after testing the oil there is a very small (ppm level) amount of coolant in the oil (maybe oil cooler seals?).

 

[NeverHave-I-Ether]

Ok, I put about 250 miles on the truck yesterday. I can't tell if it's the head, it's definitely wet around the area and definitely not the valve covers. Here's something interesting, oil is dripping off the transmission. Yes, it's oil. Somehow oil is running on the top of transmission then down the side. Also oil is dripping down the starter. Like I said not the valve covers. I'm starting to think CDR perhaps. Need to check it, engine is hot though right now.

Never-Have-I-Ether

 

[NeverHave-I-Ether]

Ok, lots of examination done. Over the 250 miles several quarts of oil was lost. The transmission I can't see any on top of it and it's yellowish/brown in color. When you get a bunch on your hand it's black, but has clean oil look to it. I'm guessing that the transmission is catching spray from the engine?

There is a pool of oil on the valley pan, I'm guessing CDR is the big leak. IP leaks a little on the front but not terrible. Oil cooler looks decent and leaks a little bit not a terrible amount. Can the valley pan leak? I'd hate to deal with that.

I also suspect the oil pan leaks as there is oil on my cross member for the frame under the engine...

Never-Have-I-Ether

 

[Big Bart]

Some thoughts

1) The CDR or the seal between it and the valley pan could be your issue. Perhaps it is not working correctly. It is a maintenance item. These have been reported for causing head gasket failure when not working.
2) Many have experience little holes in the top of their valley pan, so yes it can leak too.
3) A valve cover gasket is perhaps leaking onto the valley pan. Then via the valley pan drain onto the tranny and starter.
4) Check your oil pressure sensor, it is on the rear of the engine above the tranny.
5) Potentially a rear main seal.

If you lost quarts over 250mi my guess is

1) The oil pressure sensor, leaks bad when driving and rpms are up. Thus why when off or at idle you cannot see it leaking.
2) You have bad blowby or a clogged CDR. When rpms are up it is pushing oil out the cdr, burning some and perhaps some leaks onto the valley pan.


Guessing here but that is a lot of oil disappearing. A small leak would not let 2 or more quarts leak out in 250 miles. So likely it is a big leak, blowby pushing it out (Perhaps by a stuck cdr.), or something under oil pressure like your pressure sensor.

 

[Jesus Freak]

My truck has the mystery oil leak too, actually all 3 of the motors I've had in it had that leak.

 

[Nero]

Time for some oil dye and a black light?