14 replies to this topic

[Ouster]

My oil leak hunt continues...

Fitted a brand new timing cover, gasket and oil seal, but when driven the car is still spraying oil from somewhere on the radiator side of the engine. I've replaced the driveshaft oil seal on that side. Any ideas what else could cause oil to spray? This isn't a few drips we're talking about.

[CraigyBoy]

Inner CV boot..? Crank to timing cover seal...? Have you fitted the splash guard inside the timing cover that the seal pushes against..?


Craig

[jonny d]

I would like to know this one as mine is doing it as well

[huntface]

I would like to know this one as mine is doing it as well

And mine!

[nev_payne]

This sort of area?

[Ouster]

Yep, around that area, and above - I replaced both the gasket and the oil seal on that box that bolts to the gearbox (I'm sure it has a fancy technical name...)
I'll have a word with Dad (I'm away from the car this week) to see if he re-fitted the splash cover - I'm pretty sure he would have done. I wouldn't have thought the absence of this would cause such a large problem though if the cover, oil seal and gasket are all new? He reckons it's leaking from the bottom of the timing cover but I've told him it can't be since we've had two or three goes at refitting the timing cover.

[Clubber Lang]

It maybe the u seal from gearbox to engine as mine went before and unfortunately if it is you will need to pull the engine out to replace it. I hope i am wrong though. Steve

[bmcecosse]

If there is pressure in the crankcase - it will leak everywhere! The new seal must be fitted to the timing cover - and then the cover has to be centralised on the crank damper shaft before nipping it up carefully without stripping the threads. Could be oil be coming out at the rubber seal between the main bearing cap and the gearbox end section ?

[Ouster]

How would one get rid of pressure in the crankcase? The new timing cover has a breather on it.
What you're saying is that the seal has to be attached to the cover and then the cover is placed onto the crankcase and done up?
Where is the location of the main bearing cap/gearbix end section seal, and is it easy to replace?

Clubber Lang - by u seal do you mean the big gasket that mates block to gearbox?

Thanks all

[Ouster]

Evening bumparooo!

[jayare]

What bmcecosse meant by centralising the seal is that you need to loosely fit the timing chain cover with the seal fitted into it. Then fit the crank pulley - this will move the cover slightly to line up the seal. You can then nip up the cover bolts.

You also need to be very careful that you don't over-tighten the bolts and distort the cover as this will cause leaks,

JR

[bmcecosse]

The rubber seal is tucked in under the front plate - between main bearing cap and gearbox front section. If that seal comes out - oil everywhere!

[Ouster]

If it was that seal, would oil be coming out all the time? Or would it only happen when taken for a spin? As the latter is what is happening at the moment.

[bmcecosse]

Probably only when running around - oil will slop up into the seal area. Clean everything really well - then go for that 'spin' - then inspect !

[Ouster]

Problem solved! Got round to taking the face plate off tonight, and was greeted with this:

Looks like the half moon seal had slipped - any ideas what could have caused this? I'm very confused how it could have happened, but there's no doubt that this was the source of the oil leak!

Located a solid seal earlier in the week, and through the magic of shoving it through the hole created and pushing it through, managed to slide the old one out and the new one into place:


We shall see if it's worked by Friday when I get everything back together again, but fingers crossed...


(yes, I was working in the dark)

Edited by Ouster, 23 September 2009 - 08:10 PM.