I have a 1991 350SDL. There is an oil leak near the front on the engine and after cleaning it, it seems that one of the head bolts has oil seeping out from around it.

Does this mean a head gasket change?

No one has had this before?

Head gasket on cyl#1 around the oil passage, leaking to the outside.

Or a bent rod..

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Cheers!
Scott McPhee

1987 300D

this has been discussed on other threads, and it's generally figured that oil can't seep up from a head bolt.
if you are sure, there is ZERO oil coming from elsewhere (the intake, the valve cover gasket, ETC) have you cleaned, and dried all surfaces around the bolt, to verify oil is not just collecting there?

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Yes, strangely it really is coming from the bolt hole with the bolt in place.

So, a leaking head gasket around the oil passage would actually allow oil to be forced up through the bolt hole even with the bolt in place?

A bent rod is always possible, but how would that cause the oil leak? wouldn't it just cause me to burn oil?

Dig further.

Clean and dry it again. Pack it with paper towel. Run the motor for as long you think it takes for the oil to reappear. Remove the paper towel material and determine if the oil came from the above or below.

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Greg
2012 S350 BlueTEC 4Matic
2007 ML 320 CDI
2007 Leisure Travel Serenity
2006 Sprinter 432k
2005 E320 CDI
1998 SLK230 (teal)
1998 SLK230 (silver)
1996 E300D 99k, 30k on WVO
Previous:
1983 240D, on WVO
1982 300D, on WVO
1983 300CD, on WVO
1986 300SDL 237k, 25k on WVO (Deerslayer)
1991 350SDL 249k, 56k on WVO - Retired to a car spa in Phoenix
1983 380 SEC w/603 diesel, 8k on WVO
1996 E300D 351k, 177k on WVO

I'll take a photo - it is definitely seeping up through the bolt. Have no idea how....

Bent rod was just a bad joke.

__________________
Cheers!
Scott McPhee

1987 300D

You might have a cracked head.

I've never seen head bolts leak that way unless there was a crack or some other place for the oil to weep through (Loose). The head bolt it's self should be holding enough tension on the head surface to not allow this.

Have you tried to re-trk the head bolt to see if it's loose or broken?

Just spitballing a few ideas for ya.

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Mad_Matt's Current Stable:
Oil Burners:
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83 300D. Sold
Gassers:
16 A4 sport line
10 Passat
83 Recaro Trans AM WS6 Bone Stock Survivor
11 Harley Ultra

The pressurized oil passage seal to the head is now comprimised. The oil is being forced across the gasket and up the point of current least resistance. The head bolt. Many times the path of least resistance is into the combustion chamber.

Because of the potential of an oil driven hydrolock at some point with that cylinder. Mind the oil burning . These engines aparently have issues.

The headgasket should be changed with one of the latest type available. That seal at that pressureized passage has been a problem on these engines. So the headgaskets have been improved over the years. Get the newest available version. Also the passage seal is comprimized to some extent now yet could still worsen substantially. At least you have a low oil level light on your car if it eventually blew oil in quantity out the head/ block junction.. Just best to change that headgasket in my opinion. There are many ways to stop the head bolt leaking as well. But that is just a symptom of the real problem.

I'd like to try and do it myself, but not sure I have the expertise. My concerns are the timing belt and valve adjustments

We all did our first head gasket change or head removal for one reason or another at one time. Following the instructions it is not that bad. You just have to make sure that you follow them. Things like borrowing or renting a good torque wrench etc.

Otherwise trying to maintain an older car with all services paid for can become pretty expensive..

Gentlemen on this site will answer any relavent questions as you go along.If you have any. Doing the first one builds your confidence if you ever have to do another in your lifetime.

You may have a friend that has done several and will help a little. One benifit is you can choose the time of doing it to some extent. It does not have to be done today.