Oil on head stud?

Brian in Wheeling

Senior Member
How does one get oil around a head stud? My friend has a 31 and has what he believes to be a leak around a center head stud... actually the second stud back from the front in the center of the head. Looks like it is leaking a bit over the head. Thought it was a spark plug but no.
Brian W.
 
I don't believe it is possible for oil to "leak" from a head stud. At least I can't think of a way. Coolant...yes.

(No way oil can "leak" from a spark plug either)
 
May be you should check to see if oil is in the water. If so he may have a blowing head gasket and a real problem if there is oil in the water.
 
It's combustion product leaking from a cylinder and finding it's way out around a head stud.Might be picking up a little coolant on the way.If you sniff it you might find it smells like creosote.The oil system is not pressurized,real oil would not be finding it's way all the way to a head stud and creeping out.Also,there is no oil that high up in an A engine,unlike an overhead that pumps oil up top to lube the valve train.
 
About the only way to get oil is if it is already in the water and coming through a seep in the head gasket.
I would drain the water, run the engine without water at fast idle for two minutes, let it cool overnight, retorque all the head bolts, refill the water system with block sealer, and run normally for 30 minutes.
That might seal the problem. Good luck.
 
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