9 replies to this topic

[paul_s]

I know that the bulk of this post isn't exactly injection-specific but as it's an Mpi I thought it was a good place to put it. If it's in the wrong place, apologies - please point me to the right place

Basically I have a couple of small leaks - one from the gear selector seal and one that looks like it's from the timing cover oil seal (or the gasket.

I'm going to a load of gaskets etc today but wanted to check a couple of things first:
- Do I need to take the rocker cover off? According to the Haynes manual it's one of the things that needs to come off, but thought I'd check (another gasket to buy if so!)
- Stupid question but do I need to drain the oil? Nothing mentioned in the Haynes manual I don't think, but if it's leaking oil I'd imagine I do, right?

This is a list of things I'm going to order so far:
- Timing cover gasket
- Timing cover oil seal
- Crank pulley lock washer
- Gearbox anti-leak seal kit
- Rocker cover gasket (?)

Anything else I should need?


Also, I recently bought the car and there's no airbox - anyone know where I can get one from? I'm not sure about getting an induction kit but it looks to be the only way to get a filter on there! Does the Spi airbox fit the Mpi?


cheers!

[paul_s]

I've decided I'll change the rocker cover gasket anyway, looks a bit weepy and it can't do any harm, right?
There are two on minispares, confused which one I need:
This one is for an 11-stud head
This one says it's for everything but 11-stud head

Which one's the right one for an Mpi Cooper? Sorry if it's an obvious answer but it's Monday and my brain's not fully in gear yet!

[paul_s]

I don't seem to having such good luck with fixing leaks at the moment..

I changed the oil seal and gasket on the timing cover at the weekend but it seems like it's still leaking from the bottom of the timing cover. I was careful to make sure I removed all of the old gasket, and put some of the blue Hylomar between the gasket and the timing cover, but it's still leaking!

How tight should the bolts be on the cover? I didn't lean on them too tight, but the timing cover doesn't look 100% flat at the bottom, that might be why. Is it likely I've over (or under) tightened them?

Any other suggestions welcome - if there's still light when I get in I can try and take a picture if that'll help..

[mykweb]

There is a tourqe setting for these, not sure off the top of my head.

If your timing chanin cover is warped then this will defo cause a leak, no matter how many gaskets or sealer you stick in it

Mike

[bcjames]

Where abouts are you? I have an MPi airbox in my garage you could have, but its got some flakey paint that would need taking off it.

Timing cover bolts are 16nm. I did this recently, its a pain in the bum! I took a bit of time to ensure the timing cover mating surface is flat, this involved a bit of filing around the holes.

[liam_italian]

If I remember correctly they should be torqued to 16Nm

[MiniLuke]

I don't seem to having such good luck with fixing leaks at the moment..

I changed the oil seal and gasket on the timing cover at the weekend but it seems like it's still leaking from the bottom of the timing cover. I was careful to make sure I removed all of the old gasket, and put some of the blue Hylomar between the gasket and the timing cover, but it's still leaking!

How tight should the bolts be on the cover? I didn't lean on them too tight, but the timing cover doesn't look 100% flat at the bottom, that might be why. Is it likely I've over (or under) tightened them?

Any other suggestions welcome - if there's still light when I get in I can try and take a picture if that'll help..

Yep, I have the same issue. Took bloody ages to remove rad and clean up, then it leaks again, how frustrating. I am replacing the cover next time, it must be warped.

[nicksuth]

You may find the oil leak is from the head gasket? I had similar problem and was sure it was from the timing cover area but it was from the back right hand side of the head. Got some flourescent dye from John Guess and put a few drops in the oil then used an ultraviolet light to find the leak. Drop him a PM he may still have some?

[bcjames]

You may find the oil leak is from the head gasket? I had similar problem and was sure it was from the timing cover area but it was from the back right hand side of the head. Got some flourescent dye from John Guess and put a few drops in the oil then used an ultraviolet light to find the leak. Drop him a PM he may still have some?

Well worth checking, this is where mine now also leaks from! It's right in that back corner above the water-pump and timing cover! Became pretty obvious once I'd pulled the exhaust!

[paul_s]

You may find the oil leak is from the head gasket? I had similar problem and was sure it was from the timing cover area but it was from the back right hand side of the head. Got some flourescent dye from John Guess and put a few drops in the oil then used an ultraviolet light to find the leak. Drop him a PM he may still have some?

Hmm that's interesting, I hadn't thought of that. I've got a replacement expansion tank to go in as that leaks too (!) so I'm toying with the idea of just replacing the gasket / cover again, just to play safe. But I'll try the fluorescent dye route first, cheers, it's definitely worth a try before going throuhg all the hassle of that timing cover again!

Where abouts are you? I have an MPi airbox in my garage you could have, but its got some flakey paint that would need taking off it.

Cheers, but I ordered a K&N for it in the end as I wanted something shiny in the engine bay (I'm in Herts by the way)