I've noticed for a while that my head gasket appears to have minor 360 degree leakage. All around the head/block seam there is minor "dampness" but no noticeable loss in coolant/oil or leaking from one system to the other. I've seen this on older engines for years with no ill-effect. I was under the car about a week ago and noticed a single drop of coolant working its way down from where the head/block seam meets the timing cover. I can't tell for certain if it is the water pump or the HG. I'm about to do the timing belt/water pump anyway. I have had no loss of performance or "white smoke." Engine has about 159,200 miles.
Questions:
If you were in my shoes (HG "seepage" but no loss of performance yet) would you do a pre-emptive HG change while doing the TB/WP?

Anybody had a HG change go sideways on them? What should I look out for if I press on with the swap?

 

A water pump seal leak will drip out the "weep hole" near the bracket for the top of the alternator.

Coolant leakage through the head gasket to the outside of the engine block is not common on the D-series engines. You could try re-torquing the head bolts.

 

yeah i'd tighten the head bolts about 20-30lbs each.

 

Any of you actually had that work? Here's a pic of the leak. The grey plastic in the bottom left is the timing belt cover. Pic was taken from above the engine compartment. Look like a head gasket leak?

 

Your head gasket is fine. It's seeping oil from somewhere but oh well. No point gettin worried over it. You're too meticulous if you're worrying about little stuff like this.

 

Sorry, I should have specified. The area above that leak is BONE dry. That's why I suspect the HG.