Exhaust Gasket Problem?

[joelittel]

While snooping around my engine this morning I noticed this...



Does the black/brown gunk in the center of the circle indicate an exhaust gasket leak, or some other problem that is about to get worse?

[wizard124]

From what I've read here, the #2 and 4 exhaust studs can leak oil. Can be as easy as using a sealant when screwing the stud back in.

[divace73]

more than likely that is the gasket sealant, unless it is making a rather loud noise it is most probably okay, as wozard has mentioned you can get oil leaks from the threads

[joelittel]

It doesn't make any odd noises at all, so I'll research the oil theory a bit.