300Tdi Head Gasket Oil Leak

[130camper]

Any body got some ideas on the cause and possible fix for the oil leak?











The oil leak is on the right side of motor, from the visible line of head gasket, between the number 2 and 3 cylinders, directly below the core plug/welch plug that is in the head.


Is there a known problem in this area?
Is there a chance that cracking off the head bolts and re-torqueing them could fix the leak?
Or is it likely with these motors that line of action can cause other problems?
Or do I resign myself to buying a head gasket and getting on with the removal of the head and checking it for warping?
During my ownership of the vehicle, 37,000 km, there has never been any over heating problems.









I have been working on fixing the various leaks.
Resealed the sump to block.
Renewed the tappet cover seal.
Stopped leaks from the oil cooler pipes.
Renewed the leaking oil pressure sender.
Fitted a Provent unit and associated pipes, renewed the manifold gasket.






Resealed the end plate on the vacuum pump and sealed it onto the block.


This is the last leak so if I can get this one solved they can all progressively start again!!!!

[87County]

A photo may be helpful, also how many kms ?

RHS - do you mean RHS looking at the motor, or driver's side?

If it is the driver's side, could it be from the Hummel Valve O Ring ?

Or is it definitely lower, as you say from the head gasket area?

Only touch the head bolts if you are was replacing the head gasket.

[Reads90]

Sure it is not coming from the Rocker cover gaskets as these leak all the time.
That is directly about the head gasket.

If it was leaking from the head gasket you would have a lot more problems than just a bit of leaking oil.

[130camper]

Thanks for the ideas.
Leak is on right side of motor...drivers side. Total km's 150,000
As I said in the post tappet cover is renewed and oil tight.
Hummel valve replaced with a Provent and pipe work and O ring joint is oil tight.
I have cleaned down the right side twice now and done a 50 km run and the oil appears at the head gasket joint, the head itself is dry.

[roverrescue]

Picture would be good,
So is it coming from the peak or the valley of the casting?
The push rod galleries are on that side of the engine?
Where in relation to the 2 and 3 injector / heater plug is the leak?

S

[130camper]

Thanks for the reply roverrescue
Been a bit on the busy side so haven't got the photo yet.
The leak appears to be at the line of the head gasket.
The head casting is none oily. The oil is only below the head gasket then of course going down the block.

[Reads90]

Are you sure it is not the P Gasket. They are known for going on the 300 TDI. I know it is water but after it goes across an engine it ends up a bit oily.

They are on the right side and about the right height.

[130camper]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/01/1272.jpg
Arrow points to the position of the oil leak.
The glossy surface on the block is the oil seeping down the block.
130camper

[roverrescue]

Well 130camper
If the oil is indeed coming from that location it is coming from the pushrod/rocker/roller gallery and can only exit there via the head gasket.

I wonder though, you say the picture shows a glossy oil slick - unless your engine oil is not black (unlikely) could the oil actually be dieso coming from the spill rail between 2&3 and dripping to your pointed location?

Dieso feels and looks oily but is obviously clear. Engine oil leaking from that location should really be black on a 300tdi.

If it is indeed coming from the pushrod gallery via the head gasket I would first be trying some good quality sealant externally after obviously cleaning the area well. There is no actual oil pressure in the pushrod galleries and you are only containing blow by pressure. I certainly wouldnt be cracking the HG to fix that sorta leak on any landy that graced my driveway!

If it is dieso from the spill rail then just buy enough fuel spill line from your friendly dieso specialist and replace all the spill lines.

Steve

[davrac]

Have you changed your oil? I once put fully synthetic into a 300tdi just for something different. Head gasket began weeping within a few weeks. Went back to good old mineral diesel oil and fixed.

Does look very clean though. Maybe diesel as suggested.

Sent from my Motorola RAZR XT925

[87County]

Thanks for adding the photo, as I suggested, it does help.

I would think that it is leak-back diesel and some fuel line will replace that, if not, it could be as davrac suggests

Let's know how you get on.

[130camper]

Thanks for the comments.
Hadn't considered a small leak from a diesel return pipe, just assumed oil.
Another clean down and inspection at the weekend.

[Sitec]

Hi there.
First off, buy yourself a pressure pack aerosol of Brakeclean. Give the engine bay a good steam clean with the engine hot. This will help all the water evaporate quicker. Avoid the alternator, wiring, etc. Once dry, wash the area in question down with brakeclean (it evaporates quickly taking any oil/diesel with it). Having done this, run the engine and watch carefully and closely. A mag lite or head torch will be useful here too. Any diesel leaks will make themselves known fairly quickly, and if it is oil you'll 100% confirm if it is indeed the head weeping. Good luck! :)

[130camper]

Thanks everyone.
A clinical clean down at the weekend revealed the problem.
Tiny diesel leak from a return pipe above the number 3 glow plug.
At first didn't see it on the head, only on the black paint of the block where it was spreading out. Thus looking like the head gasket was the problem area.


New pipe put on all the return lines while I was at it. Problem solved.


Thanks again

[isuzurover]

Well 130camper
If the oil is indeed coming from that location it is coming from the pushrod/rocker/roller gallery and can only exit there via the head gasket.

I wonder though, you say the picture shows a glossy oil slick - unless your engine oil is not black (unlikely) could the oil actually be dieso coming from the spill rail between 2&3 and dripping to your pointed location?

Dieso feels and looks oily but is obviously clear. Engine oil leaking from that location should really be black on a 300tdi.

If it is indeed coming from the pushrod gallery via the head gasket I would first be trying some good quality sealant externally after obviously cleaning the area well. There is no actual oil pressure in the pushrod galleries and you are only containing blow by pressure. I certainly wouldnt be cracking the HG to fix that sorta leak on any landy that graced my driveway!

If it is dieso from the spill rail then just buy enough fuel spill line from your friendly dieso specialist and replace all the spill lines.

Steve

x2. Especially the bold bits.