[Austria_Hungry]

I went under my car and I noticed that the bolts holding the exhaust manifold to the engine were wet with oil. An older post told me that these bolts are dry and don't lead to a source of oil. Where could this oil be coming from? I don't see leaky oil anywhere else in my engine bay.

See the attached image. This is on the driver's side.

 

[hugo2648]

Wild guess because it is the drivers side. Is your Power Steering Pump leaking?

 

[Austria_Hungry]

Wild guess because it is the drivers side. Is your Power Steering Pump leaking?

The box always seems a little glossy, but I've never noticed drips or a puddle. I just replaced a return hose that was sweating. No leaks from the new hose. How would power steering fluid end up there (and only on the bolts)?

 

[John350]

I would suspect either leaking valve cover gaskets or exhaust gasket leaks that allow moisture and combustion byproducts to collect there.

 

[MBL87560SEC]

I’m going with John here and the valve cover gaskets as a likely source.

Take a look from the top….

M

 

[hugo2648]

Valve cover bolts need a compression washer for proper functioning.

 

[Gumpy]

@Austria_Hungry Absolutely essential to use a proper compression washer (about $.50) - solids do not work. Proper torque is 3 Nm and extra torque will do no good, but will destroy the washer and possibly distort the valve cover.

 

[W116/126Guy]

@Austria_Hungry Absolutely essential to use a proper compression washer (about $.50) - solids do not work. Proper torque is 3 Nm and extra torque will do no good, but will destroy the washer and possibly distort the valve cover.

100% less is more when it comes to valve cover gaskets (on the M103), it's a rubber gasket and although instinct says more torque = better seal, that is not the case at all, 3nm & that's it!! Tightening the bolts in the correct order is also majorly helpful.

 

[MBL87560SEC]

@Austria_Hungry Absolutely essential to use a proper compression washer (about $.50) - solids do not work. Proper torque is 3 Nm and extra torque will do no good, but will destroy the washer and possibly distort the valve cover.

Absolutely!

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