That's kinda close to the O2 sensor, so maybe the leak is affecting the measurement.

If the oil is deep-enough in the sparkplug hole, it can cause misfiring, which in turn causes emission problems. But you would notice the misfiring. Still, you can fix that with a valvecover gasket set so you should do that. (Your engine doesn't have the lower tube seals so you don't have the potential job of dismantling the rocker assemblies to replace the lower seals.)

 

Thanks Jim, I do have a spare gasket set. So I am going to go ahead and replace valve cover and spark plug gaskets too.

Yeah, I need to seat that gasket properly or buy a new one. What if I wrap muffler band-aid or something similar around that area?Would it cure the problem, you think or no? Because replacing these exhaust gaskets are a royal PITA.

 

If you can make it airtight so it doesn't leak, it'll work until it starts leaking again. Just suspect that might not be too long because of the flexing around those flanges.

 

Thanks JB, I am going to work on it tonight and report back. Have already purchased the gasket.

 

So I was able to crack the bolts for the gasket and connection between cat and middle pipe(with O2 sensor).

But pipe isn't moving at all. How on this planet earth I would pull the pipe out and take out the old gasket and add new one?

Also, is there a trick to put this grommet back on the screw for valve cover, I tried it and it's a PITA

 

Lube the grommet and screw it onto the bolt. Takes a bit of force.


good luck

 

For the valve cover bolt, a piece of vac hose over the threads of the bolt....the outside of the vac hose should be right at the same size as the "shoulder" on the bolt....some oil on the vac hose and the inside of the grommet...the bad boy will slide on there with just a small amount of force.......done

 

Thanks so much guys. Dish soup and elbow grease did the trick, I would have never figured it out in my entire life time.

Replaced spark plugs, cleaned all contacts for Cap/Switch, spark plug tube seals, valve cover gasket, grommet and cleaned air filter(it was clean). Cleaned PCV valve too.

I used Black sealant around the gasket area, did use pretty liberal amount. I fired the car for a bit and did not see any leak around the area. Waiting for 24 hrs cure period and going to test tomorrow, will report back.

 

Black gasket actually worked and stopped any kind of exhaust leak close to O2 sensor area.

I used Seafoam today(1/3 of bottle through intake vaccum line) and noticed no smoke leak, but did notice leakage in the area where exhaust header meets exhaust manifold(pipe which has O2, Cat and eventually muffler), i-e first joint in the exhaust area.

I used lots of Red gasket in the area to stop exhaust leak, will report back tomorrow to see if I still see any leakage, else will use some more red gasket in the area and will take the car for emission test.

I am planning to use Iso-heet(Red one-Iso-Propyl alcohol) with regular gas before the emission test. Is it a good idea or not needed? Should I use Premium gas ore no?

 

Just came back after the emission test and passed with flying colors.

Thanks so much for all of your help, guidance and patience everyone.