6 replies to this topic

[kiwimike01]

Hey guys I was poking around the engine bay today and down the back behind the exhaust manifold it looks wet. It looks like it might be coming from the tappet cover. I wiped some off with a rag and it looked like old oil and smelled a little like oil but not very strong. I'm also not sure how long it has been there as the car has been sitting for quite a while and I started it the other day but don't recall if it was there before that. Any help would be great.

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Edited by kiwimike01, 26 August 2021 - 05:18 AM.

[gaspen]

"If it does not leak, it's not a Mini"

 

Possibly tappet cover gaskets leaking I guess

[MiniMadRacer]

Usual suspect as you have mentioned is the rocker cover gasket, its cork and they do "harden / rot"... I would replace it as a matter of course and make sure you clean everything spotlessly on the mating surfaces and make sure they are dry... I "glue" the gasket to the rocker cover so it comes off with the rocker cover when setting the tappets, and I do not fit the rocker cover until the gaskrt is firmly stuck to the rocker cover.

 

Dont over tighten the bolts / nuts or you can easily distort the "tin" rocker cover itself and that gurantees leaks.

 

Tappet chest covers are a suspect if its a 998 850, or an elusive S block. "Standard / Common" 1275 cc blocks did not have tappert chest covers

[kiwimike01]

Thanks for the replys. It's an 1100 engine and has tappet covers. Is this a must fix right now or will it be ok for a while until the engine gets pulled later on. It's not my daily drive just a weekend cruiser at the moment

[MiniMadRacer]

To me its not a must fix now job, just keep the oil topped up, and fill it slowly.... if it is the rocker cover gasket that will slow the leak down a bit.. at least as you fill it

[kiwimike01]

Great thanks for your help. On another note if I drain the coolant/water and leave it empty for about a week till a new radiator and water pump get ordered will it be ok or will it cause corrosion in the water jackets?

[gazza82]

A week or two should be fine.