Exhaust manifold studs.... (archive)

If the oil is leaking out of the exhaust manifold studs, then you most likely have a stripped out stud. I had this problem on my 02 and it never really went away. Here's how to fix. You have to drill out the hole, get what is called a "helicoil" insert, and stick it in the hole with some epoxy. It's a real shitball job, and the thing is, if you don't get ALL the oil out of the hole beforehand, your work will just pop out (due to the fact that oil will not compress). Oil comes out of these holes because the hole taps right into an oil gallery. IMHO, this is a pretty serious design flaw on the head, but there are reasons for it that I am sure escape my limited knowledge. I would not attempt this if you are not comfortable with some fairly major automotive work, it's a weekend's job (at least) and takes some pretty good knowledge of the tools and tricks of these cars. I wouldn't attempt it again with the head on the car, and I consider myself to be a fairly well-rounded shadetree mechanic. Just a thought.
-alan
83 320i
79 320i

Follow Ups:

ahhh no helicoils please Jonas 23:39 7/07/2001 (0)
Re: Exhaust manifold studs.... Peter S 16:00 7/07/2001 (2)
- what year 318 gasket? j-dog 19:16 7/08/2001 (1)
  - Re: what year 318 gasket? Peter S 23:32 7/08/2001 (0)

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