Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) oil leak at head studs between valve covers?

[dbaumann]

i just installed some a-1 studs in my 97' 12 valve and it seems as though there is oil leaking from under the stud nuts on the head studs between the valve covers is this possible? and how do i fix it?

 

[ata]

Short but not SWEET. New head gasket.

 

[Bloomy]

Can you be 100% sure its not the valve cover gaskets? I've spent many hours with q-tips cleaning the valve covers and head to get them to stop leaking after head work.



Thomas

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I know you said between the valve covers, but I have another thought. When I changed the head studs on my '97, the studs were a hair too long. I had to grind a small amount out of the inside of a couple of the covers for the cover to seat properly. The studs were hitting the inside of the covers and letting a small amount of oil to leak out between the cover, gasket and head. This may not be your case, but just an idea.

 

[WDixon27]

id check for this, when i studded mine i trimmed on the valve covers till they sat flat without the gaskets, took quite a bit of grinding with my halsey studs, a few i dremmeled the top off the stud as it was unlikely to get em any deeper and didn't want to break through the cover

I know you said between the valve covers, but I have another thought. When I changed the head studs on my '97, the studs were a hair too long. I had to grind a small amount out of the inside of a couple of the covers for the cover to seat properly. The studs were hitting the inside of the covers and letting a small amount of oil to leak out between the cover, gasket and head. This may not be your case, but just an idea.

 

[dbaumann]

thanks for the replys guys,i did have to ''relieve'' the bottom of all the valve covers when i did the studs. i think i found my problem. the 3rd valve cover from the front was leaking at the indent for the head stud. the stud washers and 12 point nuts are bigger o. d. than the oem bolts , and caused the gasket to be pinched back into the cover. it sealed for a while, but i guess crankcase preasure finally overwhelmed it. i did notice that a couple of the intake plate bolts were loose and i have blown out part of the gasket causing a intake leak, so that might be something other users might double check.