Oil leaking from headgasket

[MrGenius]

I have been told that it is pretty common for the Paj 3L V6's to leak oil from around the head gasket by a mate of mine who is a mechanic at a Mitsu workshop. Just wondering if any of you have had this problem?? He said it is more common on ones that have travelled over the 175K point, mines done 184K at the moment and looks like there may be a slight weap coming from that area.
Any comments suggestions???

[Bitsamissin]

You sure it's not the rocker cover gaskets ?? These are prone to leak the passenger side rear on mine weaps ever so slightly, not enough to bother me though (at this stage).

[Neilj]

I've got 190Ks+ on mine, and the left rocker cover gasket is leaking to a point that's really bothering me, the smell of oil dripping onto a hot exhaust, not good!
Repair has to go on the backburner (NPI) for a while. I've just forked out $1000 for tyres, $900 for water pump & timing belt and my windscreens got a nasty crack in it.

Can anybody tell me how long I can let this leak go before I have to do something about it?

Neil

[DougH]

I hope it is the rockercover gaskets he was refering too and NOT the head gaskets. That would be a pisser if the later was common place.

Either way what a PITA. I am rebuilding my 3.0, but you basically have to rip it apart to get to the rocker covers. Plenum has to come off.

Dont forget that what is a drip in the driveway will become much more when the truck is running and driving. You could probally get away with the rocker cover gasket as long as you keep the oil topped off... but I dont like the sound of oil on those manifolds. Keep a fire exstinguisher handy.

[Neilj]

"BUGGER"!

Thankfully, not at the catch fire stage.

Neil

[Pharb]

Just replaced all the seals and gaskets (except head gaskets and valve stem seals) on the heads of a 3.0L Magna. 2 x rocker cover gaskets, 2 x cam seals, 2 x "seal cyl head camshaft" (blanking plug on rear end of camshaft housing), 1 x "gasket - surge tank inlet" (between inlet manifold and inlet runners), 1 x front crank seal. About $70 (retal) for parts. All suffered typical modern vehicle "hot engine bay" syndrome. Also be wise to replace the O-ring on the dist. base and the O-ring on the dist. drive housing under the front cam bearing journal.
Peter

[MrGenius]

It is the head that i was talking about, not the rocker covers. Ive replaced the rocker cover gaskets on mine and they dont leak, but after putting it up on the hoist for a full inspection i noticed that there was oil coming from the head gasket region, so i asked my mate and he said yeh it is common. Anyways im gunna degrease the block and remove the 7tonnes of attached mud from the car to get a better look into it.
Soon the good ol Paj will be moving on to a new owner time for something newer......