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Re: Head gasket leak? [message #328260 is a reply to message #328252]

Mon, 15 January 2018 19:12

Matt Colie

Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan

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Senior Member

Jimmy_Bonez wrote on Mon, 15 January 2018 19:01

So folks we've made it a little bit further in our journey. But I fear there's more than just an oil leak somewhere. Today we drove it for about 45mins and parked to go on a hike at Enchanted Rock in Texas. Came back and noticed a few more oil drips than normal. Not a puddle but more drip spots. We drove down to Fredericksburg and are parked at the Yellowstone campground. Started doing a sneaky oil change and noticed that dipstick had a bit of rust on it. Run roh. Pop open the cab engine cover and notice that the oil is coming out of the head gasket(I'm pretty sure). This isn't something I can take care of in campground it's above my expertise without some assistance. Anyone in the Fredericksburg area know any good shops or recommendations that would be very helpful. I'm going to make some calls in the morning. thanks everyone.

Jim,

You are in Texas, you have a copy of the Black List. (If you did not download it before you left home, you can still and we will say you did.) There are about 40 members in Texas, start tracking on a map and calling....

Now, to your problems:
It is unlikely that you have a headgasket oil leak. (There is no high pressure oil in the deck face.) It is very possible that you have a bad valve gear cover gasket. While it is still a PITA, it is much more serviceable. It also could be that your crankcase pressure control is fouled and so you have higher pressure at all the gaskets than should be there.

Do us a favor, get some paper towels and brake cleaner and try to get a good look at where the leak is. I have expensive stuff I use because I could "acquire" it from part employers, but it is not that different than any spray on powder deodorant or foot powder spray. Between those two, you should be able to identify the leak location. Do you have your GMC Thumbdrive? Look in the maintenance manuals for a picture that shows where the leak is and post the manual number (there are 3)and the figure number. Then we will all know exactly what you are seeing.

If it is a cylinder head cover (valve gear cover), before you do anything else, get the right small socket on an extension and the shortest ratchet that you can and try to snug up the fasteners. If you over tighten these, they will leak for sure. I hope you have a GMC Belly Board, you will need it.

Back to the high crankcase pressure. There is a PCV valve plugged into the right side cylinder head cover. These can go bad and cause high crankcase pressure. When you are under there next, pull that device out of the rubber grommet it is in and do this very precise and technical performance test: Shake it.... If it rattles, it is good. If it does not, replace it.

Rust on the dipstick is common. It is because combustion by-products go up the tube and condense on the bare metal.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

Matt - the refugee from engine dyno land

Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit

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[Message index]

		Head gasket leak? By: Jimmy_Bonez on Mon, 15 January 2018 18:01
		Re: Head gasket leak? By: 77Royale on Mon, 15 January 2018 18:29
		Re: [GMCnet] Head gasket leak? By: jimk on Mon, 15 January 2018 18:54
		Re: [GMCnet] Head gasket leak? By: Matt Colie on Mon, 15 January 2018 19:18
		Re: Head gasket leak? By: Matt Colie on Mon, 15 January 2018 19:12
		Re: Head gasket leak? By: Larry on Mon, 15 January 2018 20:25
		Re: [GMCnet] Head gasket leak? By: bdub on Mon, 15 January 2018 20:25
		Re: [GMCnet] Head gasket leak? By: bdub on Mon, 15 January 2018 20:32
		Re: [GMCnet] Head gasket leak? By: tphipps on Tue, 16 January 2018 07:55
		Re: [GMCnet] Head gasket leak? By: Ken Burton on Tue, 16 January 2018 10:14
		Re: Head gasket leak? By: Jimmy_Bonez on Tue, 16 January 2018 10:47
		Re: [GMCnet] Head gasket leak? By: Richard Denney on Tue, 16 January 2018 11:08
		Re: Head gasket leak? By: Jimmy_Bonez on Fri, 19 January 2018 21:46
		Re: Head gasket leak? By: 77Royale on Sat, 20 January 2018 11:14
		Re: Head gasket leak? By: Jimmy_Bonez on Sat, 20 January 2018 12:04
		Re: Head gasket leak? By: tphipps on Sat, 20 January 2018 17:28
		Re: Head gasket leak? By: Ken Burton on Sun, 21 January 2018 04:14
		Re: [GMCnet] Head gasket leak? By: USAussie on Sun, 21 January 2018 04:52
		Re: [GMCnet] Head gasket leak? By: Ken Burton on Sun, 21 January 2018 05:40
		Re: Head gasket leak? By: Jimmy_Bonez on Wed, 24 January 2018 09:23
		Re: Head gasket leak? By: Ken Burton on Wed, 24 January 2018 19:47
		Re: Head gasket leak? By: JohnL455 on Wed, 24 January 2018 09:46
		Re: Head gasket leak? By: shaunone on Thu, 25 January 2018 08:20
		Re: Head gasket leak? By: Larry on Thu, 25 January 2018 10:32
		Re: Head gasket leak? By: shaunone on Thu, 25 January 2018 13:00
		Re: Head gasket leak? By: jhbridges on Thu, 25 January 2018 12:58
		Re: Head gasket leak? By: Ken Burton on Thu, 25 January 2018 18:45
		Re: Head gasket leak? By: Jimmy_Bonez on Thu, 25 January 2018 20:24
		Re: Head gasket leak? By: Ken Burton on Thu, 25 January 2018 22:05

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