Oil Leak

[Bob-Lob-Law]

My engine is leaking oil in the rear from both the driver and passenger sides.  I lifted the car and ran it for about 15 minutes and then let it cool.  On driver's side the oil ran down the block and to the transmission and then dripped onto the crossover pipe.  On the passenger side, it ran down the block, onto the starter and then dripped off.  I traced the oil back to the rear corner of the heads on both sides. 

My engine is a TA Performance block with aluminum heads.  The engine and heads are new.  My question is this:  Could this leak be caused by the heads needing to be re-torqued? 

[Steve Wood]

doubt it.   I don't recall any oil passages in the heads.

I would suspect the back of the intake seal to the block and/or the valve covers

[YGspider]

I've heard that a lot of oil pools up in the back of the heads and leaks out the back of the valve covers. I can also say I've seen this first hand as my car leaks oil from the back of the drivers side valve cover.

[Bob-Lob-Law]

Roger, thanks for the replies.  The back of the valve covers look dry, I'll recheck them to make sure.  I'll also look at the intake seal to the block.  T

Thanks for the help.  I'll reply with the results tomorrow.   

[Bob-Lob-Law]

Well, I removed the coil pack and looked at the intake base.  Low and behold there was oil, a lot of it.  I will have to remove the intake manifold and replace the seals.  However, the seals I installed were new ones and I guess they didn't do the job.  I'll have to find something else.  I'll give TA Performance a call. 

I really appreciate your all's help. 

[Steve Wood]

Use rtv

Put an extra daub on each end where the heads meet the block

[Charlief1]

Take the intake off and clean the surface where the seals are supposed to go. Then take a punch and make dimples in the surface at the block and intake where they meet up, lots of them. No oil can be present when you put the RTV on the surface. Use a nice thick bead of silicon on the block surface with some extra in the corners. Put the intake in place and tighten it up slightly. You don't want full torque yet but you do want it snug enough so when you tighten it up the bolts only turn a little. Let it sit for several hours to "skin" over, or if you want, let it sit overnight so it fully hardens. Torque to specs and if fully dry, start engine, put car in drive, and have some fun.

[Bob-Lob-Law]

Roger that.  I'll look at both options.  Thanks again.