Photo for analysis

[Tuner]

This is taken from below on the passenger side looking up at number six to the left. I think I have a VC leak but the HG talk is scaring me....thanks in advance, any and all opinions are valued. BTW, odometer is sitting at 188k.

 

[MoJ]

Does it feel/smell/look like coolant or oil?

 

[Tools R Us]

Looks like a valve cover gasket leak to me.

 

[Uncle Ben]

Looks like oil....

 

[DTAYLOR]

hhmmmmm

Looks like oil, sure enough. I would still plan on doing the HG ASAP. If you are a careful, tedious to a guy, you can do this in your garage. CDan has a great parts list you will want to follow, and call him with any specific questions. I'm doing mine right now. The head will go out to the machine shop for a bathe, shave and grind. I am also doing and alternator brush pack, and PS pump overhaul, replacing ALL heater and radiator hoses. I'm also going to either high polish or powder coat the valve cover, plug wire cover, and air cleaner drum (where the filter sits). I plan on spending about what the shop cost is without all the machine and color work ($1500-$2000), and drive this puppy till the clock says 500,000.

 

[RAYJON]

change the valve cover and clean it good then watch it... ... the worst is you will have to pull it back appart to do the HG....

 

[IdahoDoug]

Agree valve cover. You might consider a careful tightening first to see if some of your VC bolts have loosened as the gasket aged/shrank. If so, it will just buy you time to do it in the Florida winter....

DougM

 

[Mickldo]

Usually oil will only spread downwards once it has leaked out and by the look of your photo there is a bit of oil above the HG. Degrease the leak area and then moniter the leak for a day or two to see where it is leaking. My bet is valve cover gasket.

 

[Tuner]

If so, it will just buy you time to do it in the Florida winter....DougM

HA! I'm not sure the Florida winter is long enough for me to do a HG job. Thanks for the responses, I've found a small leak toward the back of the VC. My coolant level is stable and there is no detectable smell of coolant in the residue below the HG although the the coolant (green) has gotten pretty dirty since I changed it last. Since I drive it daily to keep stopandgo miles off the dually, I'll keep a close watch for any additional trouble and continue the modification of this excellent platform.