6 replies to this topic

[Sprinkler23]

Hello, engine been out multiple times due to gearbox issues. Gaskets replaced each time. After a few months i am starting to see small oil leaks again from the back of the engine. The first few months no leaks at all...

Do they all leak? And can you get them leak free for a long time or should i live with it...

It is a 1991 1275 Cooper.

[cal844]

What I usually do is use a gasket with a very fine smear of sealant. I use a RTV type product BUT there are better products out there.

Edited by cal844, 11 November 2020 - 03:59 PM.

[Flatsix911]

I rebuilt my 1275 to a 1340 and was diligent about gasketing and sealer and I have a small leak that I can't find. I just live with it.

[1314cc]

Is the rocker cover gasket ok? Had mine leaking down the back of the engine once.

[pusb]

My current one doesn't. A late Japanese spec automatic model doesn't leak a drop. 

[Spider]

Despite their long standing reputation, they certainly can be built leak free, though sometimes they need a bit more work than cleaning gasket faces and using a particular type of sealant, in some instances I find I need to re-machine some gasket faces or even grind them. Some parts need to be re-bushed and in some cases, a bush fitted to hold moving parts in close tolerance and not be a sloppy fit.

 

In regards to Oil Seals - and this seems to be where the greater majority or leaks come from - the shaft that's running in the seal needs to be held to very little lateral movement as all the seals only have a certain take up range, beyond which, the lip(s) will no longer make contact with the shaft at one point and that's where they'll leak from, the smaller the seal, the tighter this 'free play' needs to be.

 

The shafts that run in the seals also need to be wear and bur free, that also need to have a certain surface finish too, which despite what may seem is needed, they actually need a fine 'roughness' to them and this is why getting Pot Joints to seal on the shaft of them can be an issue as many are just too smooth.

 

Another somewhat common point of leakage is from the Timing Cover Seal, what seems to be over looked with these is that while the bolt holes seem a 'tight-ish' fit, they do have a small amount of movement in them and that's to allow for centering the seal to the Pulley or Harmonic Damper.

[mab01uk]

Later MPi Minis used an upgraded modern Klinger gasket material which is now available from Minispares:-

 

Genuine Mini Spares best selling super upgraded Klinger gasket set for any popular engine block.

http://www.minispare...UG701614CS.aspx

"So called genuine Rover gasket sets were so poor in quality or have incorrect parts we decided to put together our own correct real gasket set using original Payen gaskets as a template but using this modern day KLINGER super gasket material as used on some parts of the MPI twin point injection car engines,to eradicate oil leak problem areas .
This is a dual fit multi piece selection of KLINGER upgraded engine block gaskets to fit any early or A Plus engines suitable for road/race and boost longevity of your ever increasing investment known as the classic mini. For MPI which used Klinger you will have lots of extra gaskets but this set is much cheaper than the original Rover set (£46). Our Klinger gaskets are green but Rover on the MPI.used red and black."

Edited by mab01uk, 11 November 2020 - 07:44 PM.