Oil leaking through plenum

So the valve covers and plenum are off, and left overnight. Came back the next morning to cylinder #6 full of coolant. Not sure what happened, but perhaps when i was taking the bottom half of the plenum off, something got knocked/squished when I was budging it with that one long bolt I forgot to pull.

This leak could be the intake manifold or head gasket. guessing it's the intake manifold at this time. I spose a leakdown test in in order.

 

Has the truck been blowing white smoke on start up recently?

 

Haven't noticed white smoke, but then again wasn' paying attention to it other than the hard starts as of recent

 

what about losing coolant. Have you been adding any to the reservoir or directly into the radiator. If so, then you have a problem somewhere.

 

For the hard starting... is the motor assembled enough to do a compression test? You need a minimum amount of compression to promote combustion. If the heads are on you can also to a leak down test to find out where the compression is leaking from.

 

Renting a compression tester in the next day, and will report back. Cylinder 4 has an intake valve out of specification. Going to recheck the valve clearances one more time before ordering shims, but the rest of all the valves appeared to be within tolerance.

Removed the intake manifold, and it looks like cylinder 4 is steam cleaned. I've lost a minimal amount of coolant, not enough to drain the overflow tank over a couple months most likely.

Yes, I remember it blowing minimal amounts on cold mornings, nothing too far out of the usual.

You're likely correct in this assumption. Fingers crossed it's the intake manifold and not head gaskets. So far it's looking like it's an intake manifold gasket issue as cylinder 4 being the culprit right?

 

im seeing the top curved portion of #4's gasket is very diff than others
fingers X's tht only the I. gasket!

when you look down into the steam cleaned #4 intake.......visual inspection shows any cracks on valve or valve seat??

 

Visual inspection is a-ok, both the valves on number 4 are out of spec, and performed well with the leak down test. #6 intake valves were leaking air and valves or valve seats with blow by; those valves were within spec, so that's a bit odd. Guess I'll be taking the heads off and performing valve work along with head gaskets. considering ordering reman heads, or possibly doing all that myself.

 

Find a good machine shop
Hell
Even the online RM head vendors have machine shop that does work

Years ago, the Subaru parts mgr recommended a machine shop.
Used them
When I showed up to pick up my RM’d heads……there were 3 different dealerships 3 different dealership manufacturers trucks outside picking up their parts too

very reasonable assuming no catastrophic damage
Lemme see if I can dig up invoice…..

 

cool, I appreciate you

 

Highlights:
New copper seals
Set valve lash
$45 added for flywheel re-surface

 

I know 6 years ago
But
Just as long as u locate a reputable machine shop…….

im still amazed that there were a Chevy/Toyota/VW parts trucks getting their parts serviced
GL

 

I'll go see if that shop that did the wheel bearings 8 yrs ago still in business. seemed pretty knowledgeable. I've seen there are timing issues if the heads are resurfaced and don't know the first thing about that. Never overheated, so likely they're alright

 

Hell brother
I didn’t know either
But
I did know if I’m taking heads off,(new short block needed in 2019) I had NP paying MS $400-$600 to make sure nothing wrong. The freakin engine gasket kit was $369 IIRC(needed 100%)

peace of mind….especially if im wrenching!

she’s still screaming down the road currently