Gasket problem ???

[iandromiskin]

I was driving my car today just to get some heat into the engine and to make sure the brakes don't bind when I noticed a rattling sound from somewhere in the car, then when I listened (as best I could) a bit more it sounded a bit exhausty, but there was no drop in engine noise or performance or anything so I carried on.

However just to check I popped the bonnet and had a look around and noticed that there was a bit of water (not oil or petrol, at least it didn't smell like petrol) on the passenger side of the engine block. Studying closer, I noticed the source of the water seemed to be coming from the bottom of the rocker/valve block (not the rocker cover or head gasket) as I could see little bubbles of liquid forming. I'm not sure if the liquid was there already and it was just slight exhaust gasess excaping making the bubbles or a sign of a genuine water leak. There was still plenty of water the radiator too.

I took the following pics on my Iphone so apologies for the fuzzy quality.


It was just below the silver pipe and exhaust manifold in the foreground.



This is where I saw the 'leak'. You can see where the engine paint has pealed away in the top middle foreground. You can see its below the exhaust manifold.



Closeup of the location. It was just below the valve/rocker block on top of the engine block.

Do I have a problem ?

[bmcecosse]

I doubt it - but do inspect the bypass hose for leaks......

[mike.perry]

If the noise sounds like exhaust, check the manifold nuts and the exhaust pipe clamp.
If you suspect water loss keep a check on the radiator level

[Peetee]

Could be a leak in a hose that is spraying that area.