Oil leak

1987 CHEVROLET TRUCK
140,000 MILES • 5.0L • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
87V10
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I have a oil leak that seams to be coming out of the top bolt that holds the alternator on the block. Right above is the valve covers but it is not coming out there. It puddles around that top bolt. Please help!!
Oct 16, 2018 at 3:43 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
ASEMASTER6371
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good evening.

It sounds like either the valve cover gasket is leaking or the intake manifold is leaking

Can you post a picture for me and upload it to this post?

Roy
Oct 16, 2018 at 4:22 PM
Avatar
87V10
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I tightened the header bolts on that side and it seemed right after that it started leaking. Could I have tightened too much and cracked the intake? The leak is definitely higher then that though. I will get pictures tomorrow.
Oct 16, 2018 at 4:48 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
ASEMASTER6371
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 52,796 POSTS
No, the headers are on the head, not the intake.

Yes. Please post pictures.

Roy
Oct 16, 2018 at 5:03 PM
Avatar
87V10
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Two pictures are the same. The alternator is off and when I took it off the top bolt had oil on the threads. I cleaned it off the threaded it back in and it gets oil on the threads. When I stick a small screwdriver in there it comes out covered in oil. This should not happen I do not think.
Images (Click to enlarge)
Attached Media
Attached Media
Attached Media
Oct 17, 2018 at 1:39 PM
Avatar
ASEMASTER6371
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 52,796 POSTS
Do you mean at the threads where it goes into the head?

That bolt looks at an angle like it is not in the right location.

Roy
Oct 17, 2018 at 1:43 PM
Avatar
87V10
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
It threads straight in to the head. I have cleaned the inside of the hole in the head where it bolts on.
Oct 17, 2018 at 1:51 PM
Avatar
ASEMASTER6371
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 52,796 POSTS
Okay, you can use some sealer on the threads as the hole goes into a coolant passage.

What about the angle of the bolt? It is not straight, it is off on an angle.

Roy
Oct 17, 2018 at 1:54 PM