Head gasket seepage?

[red02tj]

Looks like some seepage? An 02 4.0 I’ve had for about 5months but only has 33k miles. Don’t worry about it or impending doom.

 

[mattyice2]

I'll let the other guys chime in, but it's probably a good idea to get it replaced before it turns into something worse. When my head gasket went it destroyed my entire cooling system. Also if you get it replaced send the head to a machine shop to make sure it isn't cracked, and that it is level.

 

[macleanflood]

Check the coolant and check the oil for milkshake.

If you can do the work yourself and you're concerned go for it. If you're planning on paying someone to do it...then yeah get a lot of opinions.

Have you checked for cracked heads?

-Mac

 

[Trevlaw]

Looks like just an oil seep to me. I changed my head gasket chasing that leak one time and it didn't stay dry for long enough afterwards to make the work worth it. The gasket is really thin on that side by the oil galleys. Obviously make sure the rest of the gasket is fine and your coolant and oil are separate, but if it's just the oil seep on the side I wouldn't worry about it too much

 

[red02tj]

A few more pics, rad + scope in the top of the engine and up close to the head. Coolant level hasn’t moved since I changed it in October.

 

[Mike Z]

Looks like just an oil seep to me. I changed my head gasket chasing that leak one time and it didn't stay dry for long enough afterwards to make the work worth it. The gasket is really thin on that side by the oil galleys. Obviously make sure the rest of the gasket is fine and your coolant and oil are separate, but if it's just the oil seep on the side I wouldn't worry about it too much

I agree. I have an 02 4.0 with the same seepage on the passenger side. No mixing of fluids. I checked and I have the TUPY head. I am not worried about it. It doesn't seep enough to ever leave a drip on the garage floor. I got super concerned about it initially and then I read quite a bit about how common an occurrence it is.

 

[01CuHed]

n/t

 

[red02tj]

thanks guys

 

[Mike Z]

thanks guys

No problem. Enjoy it. I just take a peek at that side of my block every now and then to make sure that the seepage hasn't increased. Other than that, it's all good.

 

[Jamison C]

Looks like some seepage? An 02 4.0 I’ve had for about 5months but only has 33k miles. Don’t worry about it or impending doom.

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I agree. I have an 02 4.0 with the same seepage on the passenger side. No mixing of fluids. I checked and I have the TUPY head. I am not worried about it. It doesn't seep enough to ever leave a drip on the garage floor. I got super concerned about it initially and then I read quite a bit about how common an occurrence it is.

I had an 02 4.0 with the same leak in the same spot. Never had any mechanical issues. Just minor thin layer of seepage that disappeared whenever I washed the engine.

 

[pagrey]

Follow that oil up up and up, what do you find? The oil fill cap. I'm not saying that's where it comes from but on mine, that's where it comes from.

 

[Mike Z]

Good point. Certainly makes sense to eliminate all possible sources, including the valve cover gasket.

 

[red02tj]

Follow that oil up up and up, what do you find? The oil fill cap. I'm not saying that's where it comes from but on mine, that's where it comes from.

Fair and I’ll hit everything with some degreaser this weekend. Valve cover and fill cap I can deal with. I was more concerned, if it’s not those how concerned should I be.