Hey guys it's been a while since I've been on here I just have a quick question. I've been noticing a slight oil leak down the starter and I read it's the head gasket on the passenger side. I was just wondering how bad that is? I check the oil frequently and as long as I keep the oil full and check on it is that okay ? I use 5w30 synthetic blend pennzoil now I was using havoline synthetic 5w20 the truck has 163,000 miles and does great I was just curious about it thanks guys!

 

How much oil is it using?

 

Bad head gasket probably. Pretty common issue with mod motors. The leak is external only. If its not that bad just live with it.

 

We'll with 5w30 it never used any oil that I can remember it's always used 5w20 synthetic more maybe like a quart every 2,000 or so I just always added some to keep it full and never really worried about it I just noticed the seepage the other day. Could it be the full synthetic since it's thinner than conventional oil? I don't remember it ever burning or leaking conventional just the synthetic. Thanks guys

 

Use what's recommended and you'll probably be alright.

 

5W20 is preferred, but 5W30 is fine to use in a high mileage Triton.

 

Could it possibly be a valve cover gasket? I was looking at it and like the top part of the head is wet too like close to the valve cover wouldn't if it was the head gasket it would just be wet from we're the head meets the block and down from there? It's hard to tell without removing the starter but anyway thanks for the info guys!

 

Probably not. The valve cover gaskets these engines use are about the most durable I have ever seen, The external head gasket leak on the 5.4 is very common I've had it. If you just leak a few drops dont worry about it..