engine oil leak!

hi,
i've got 110 ex-mod 1992 with a 2.5 n/a diesel re-con with about 5000km since the rebuild.
i've had the vehicle for 4mths and have just noticed a small (half a tea spoon'ish a day) oil leak coming from between the cylinder head and the block at the front of the engine..

how worried should i be?
what does this mean?
does it need attention soon?
what would happen if i leave it?
will it get worse?
is it on it's way out?

we're planning to drive tho france soon,would i need to sort it out before we go?

all these questions!

many thanks

julian

Don't get me wrong I am not a mechanic... but for a foriegn trip with an oil leak between the head and the block I would be looking at fixing it before I left. You're certain it's not from higher up and just dripping down?

first off i would try re torquing the head down as there is no saying how long ago the engine was rebuilt before being installed. If that does not work for piece of mind have the head gasket changed, or do the trip but just be mindfull to check oil level regularly

Does hint head gasket doesn't it...

either the head gasket or its the rocker cover gasket not seated properly id check that first before ripping the head off if it is the head gasket just make sure whoever is doing the job for you gets a verifiable vacuum preassure test done on the head before it goes back on just incase the heads cracked or warped make sure its right first time but heres to hopeing its nothing major
regards john

hi
i had a look tonight at the leak after 24hrs off having cleaned it,and there is no oil above the head.the leak seems to sightly smaller than i 1st thought.more of slow seep than a leak!!
i do not think that the head gasket has gone yet! the oil looks clean with no foaming or any sign of water in the oil.
i think that i'll re-torque the head and take it from there.
i reckon i'll keep an eye on it when i'm in france(keeping my fingers crossed and upgrade my AA membership!!)

thanks for your thoughts.

julian

if its ok after cleaning the area, carry on with your trip and enjoy it