oil weeping from head gasket...

mikeny59 · Dec 3, 2004

My '98 4.0 w/98k seems to be "weeping" oil from the passenger side head gasket. I gunked the top of the motor to prep for a valve cover gasket replacement, but after about two weeks I noticed that the oil was seeping from the block/head area. Very, very little, not even beginning to run down the side of the motor.

The engine runs as if it was showroom, mobil 1 changes every 2.5k miles, no steam from exhaust, no loss of coolant, no foaming of coolant, no crap in oil, really no sign whatsoever of any damage to head gasket. Perfect idle, normal temperature guage readings, if anything a bit cooler now that the weather has changed, usual great acceleration.

I ran a search and someone mentioned that the oil galleys are on the passenger side and this is not anything to worry about. Can someone verify this or provide info about the seriousness of this weeping?

Thanks,

Mike #300

jeepguy97 · Dec 3, 2004

mikeny59 said:
My '98 4.0 w/98k seems to be "weeping" oil from the passenger side head gasket. I gunked the top of the motor to prep for a valve cover gasket replacement, but after about two weeks I noticed that the oil was seeping from the block/head area. Very, very little, not even beginning to run down the side of the motor.

The engine runs as if it was showroom, mobil 1 changes every 2.5k miles, no steam from exhaust, no loss of coolant, no foaming of coolant, no crap in oil, really no sign whatsoever of any damage to head gasket. Perfect idle, normal temperature guage readings, if anything a bit cooler now that the weather has changed, usual great acceleration.

I ran a search and someone mentioned that the oil galleys are on the passenger side and this is not anything to worry about. Can someone verify this or provide info about the seriousness of this weeping?

Thanks,

Mike #300

The oil passages are on the right side of the engine, but the head gasket seals them so if it's leaking from there I suspect there must be a small leak in the gasket. I wouldn't worry about it since it is leaking out, instead of leaking into the cylinders or mixing with the coolant, unless it gets worse.

mikeny59 · Dec 3, 2004

The right side is considered the passenger side, isn't it? It's seeping from the distributor side. I can't see under the manifolds, but I can't say I crawled under and looked either.

Can the head bolts be retorqued?

Thanks,

Mike #300

jeepguy97 · Dec 3, 2004

You could check the head bolts. Set a torque wrench to the proper torque and make sure thay are tight. Tha passenger side is the right side (correct).

nate · Dec 3, 2004

From what I've read, the oil seeping is fairly common. My 98 ZJ does the same thing.

mikeny59 · Dec 4, 2004

Thanks for the help. I wish I new it wasn't the valve cover gasket, paid $30ish for it at the dealer, and then I read in the FSM it's reusable. And it hasn't leaked at all since I gunked the top of the motor. And I opened the package so it's all mine, forever

I'm not gonna worry about the seepage, no other signs of a problem.

Agian, I appreciate your responses.

Mike #300

Art Triggs · Dec 4, 2004

Every 4.0 I have seen has this seepage to some degree or another, it doesnt seem to hurt it other than make a mess....

oil weeping from head gasket...

mikeny59

NAXJA Member #300

jeepguy97

NAXJA Forum User

mikeny59

NAXJA Member #300

jeepguy97

NAXJA Forum User

nate

NAXJA Forum User

mikeny59

NAXJA Member #300

Art Triggs

NAXJA Forum User

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