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Cylinder head leaks

Tiny
GJAMES
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  • VOLKSWAGEN
I replaced the head gasket on my 1996 VW Polo 1043cc. I got the head skimmed and got original head bolts and gasket but it continies to leak oil from the front left hand side of the engine. I think it may be the oil pump not releasing pressure at higher revs and the oil then seeps out at the front left hand corner(i think this is where the oil comes up from the pump) could this be the case. What can I do. Where would I attach a pressure guage to find this out and what should the pressure be. :X
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Thursday, January 18th, 2007 AT 3:06 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
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If the pressure is too much this should kick on a check engine light problem. There is still the prospect that the head gasket was not the OEM or better version and that the torque of the bolts was not done properly. I would expect other areas to be effected by the oil pressure before the head gasket. It was designed to take the compression of the piston. When you say skimmed do you mean planed? As in the head was warped? Was that done at a shop and was the head checked for cracks?
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Thursday, January 18th, 2007 AT 3:44 PM
Tiny
GJAMES
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Yes it was planed and checked for cracks by an engineering company who specialise in engine head skimming and leak/crack checking. The torque was correct and all the head bolts and gasket were correct parts.
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Thursday, January 18th, 2007 AT 5:13 PM
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
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Sorry, but Polos are not covered in our manuals but the head gasket is not right. The oil should not penetrate the gasket. There are a number of gaskets made available and they are not all built the same.
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Thursday, January 18th, 2007 AT 6:01 PM
Tiny
GJAMES
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  • 6 POSTS
The only thing I can think of is that the gasket I put on had a round hole at the point where the leak seems to be but the head and block had an elongated hole that was being partially covered by the gasket. Could the oil be hitting this part of the gasket and forcing its way out between the head and gasket or should the torque on the bolts be sufficient to not allow the leak to happen?
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Monday, January 22nd, 2007 AT 4:30 AM
Tiny
CARUNDELL
  • MECHANIC
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Hey G,
By chance is there a specific right and left gasket that may have been overlooked? Is it a Bi or Tri metal or a typical graphite impregnated? Grasping at straws here, wish we could access data on that one! Oh yeah. Was the oil leak the original issue or was it head gasket failure?

Chris
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Monday, January 22nd, 2007 AT 8:42 AM
Tiny
GJAMES
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  • 6 POSTS
The leak was the original problem. The new gasket was exactly the same as the old one. I have actually changed the gasket twice. First time it leaked I skimmed/planed the head and pressure checked it also, replaced the gasket and bolts and it leaked as before. I then I took it off again and when I replaced the gasket I put a small smear of high temp silicone sealant around the problem area and installed the head and torqued it up, I left it alone for a week and when I started to drive it again it began to leak from the same spot. Any mechanic I talk to cannot figure it out.
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Monday, January 22nd, 2007 AT 9:42 AM
Tiny
CARUNDELL
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And there is no crack in the block around the effected area? You mentioned a possible oil pressure issue? Is the oil pressure out of spec high? Oh yeah. Are there any pitted spots on the block in the effected area too?

Chris
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Monday, January 22nd, 2007 AT 10:35 AM
Tiny
GJAMES
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  • 6 POSTS
No pitting or cracks. When I clean it with solvent spray and drive it for a while it is coming from the corner between the head and block. Where can I check the pressure from. I have the haynes manual and it doesn't show me where to attach a gauge, is it on the rear of the engine?
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Tuesday, January 23rd, 2007 AT 2:13 AM
Tiny
CARUNDELL
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"normally" there should be a spot to remove a small plug near to or on the oil filter adapter. Usually is a small 1/8 or 1/4 pipe plug

Chris
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Tuesday, January 23rd, 2007 AT 4:00 AM
Tiny
GJAMES
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The gasket and bolts were victor reinz
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Friday, January 26th, 2007 AT 11:59 AM

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