So I just finished replacing head gasket and all the seals on my Cylinder head on my built turbo 2000 civic si. I noticed and oil leak where the head meets the block on timing belt side. I know there’s a common leak from these from the tranny corner side but this is opposite side. I looked up it could be my cam seals but those were replaced and brand new. I used a cometic head gasket (no copper spray) and torqued everything to spec ( headgasket isn’t upside down). I am not experiencing any other head gasket symptoms car runs great. I just noticed a slight leak in that corner after 30 mins of idling. Not sure where I should start.


Edit

 

Can you post a pic?

Any chance the leak is actually originating from the valve cover gasket?

Did you use a precision straight edge to verify that the head and block mating surfaces were flat to spec?

 

did you bother to remove the cover to confirm it is/ isn't there cam seal?

 

So usually there is oil built up on the little corner ridge which is strange and then also on the flat corner where they meet. Car runs great and builds and holds boost. I haven’t pulled the cover off to check the cam seal yet but I don’t see any oil marks running down the head casting that would lead to a cam seal. Confused and frustrated. Things like this bother me. I like it perfect lol.

 

Cam seal wouldn't leak down that way. Did you torque the head bolts to spec, in the order they specified in the FSM?

also ....brah....details on the engine/car...

 

Had a similar issue with a b20 swap. Had to order a new headgasket, pull the head, check for warpage, copper spray the new headgasket retorque to spec and order per FSM. All was gravy afterwards. I doubt I needed the copper spray but its small insurance.

 

It’s a fully built b16 head and fully built b16 block. Head was fresh resurfaced and I torqued everything to spec with brand new arp head studs. I’m using a cometic head gasket. If the headgasket was the issue wouldn’t the car run crappy and have all the symptoms to a bad gasket. Where would it leak if it’s the cam seal?

 

What doesn’t make sense is the oil builds up on that little ledge on the head as well.

The oil builds up where it’s circled in green too.

 

Oil might be originating from above the ridge. Can you find an oil trail and follow it?

 

clean it up monitor

 

I don’t see an oil trail from above. I will clean it up and monitor it and get back to you later.

 

Soo clean it off and drove the car around my block let it get hot and noticed it was pooling up on the corner that’s circled in previous pic and on the meeting surface for head and block. Not sure where I should start before I replace headgasket again. Might drive it for a while and monitor oil. Not a terrible leak but would like to get it addressed.

 

 

sounds like you don't have to go far for it to happen. Did you by chance replace your valve cover gasket as well?

 

Yes valve cover replaced as well. I noticed it will leak over night without driving it. What’s the baby powder method?

 

It’ll stick to the moist places and show you the oil trail.