8 replies to this topic

[bcjames]

Hey,

I've posted this in my project thread, but no doubt there is more traffic here so more chance of an answer.

Over the past couple of months I have changed both the timing gasket/crank seal, selector seals, and the headgasket, aiming to get rid of my oil leak(s). I noticed it was leaking again after a couple of long drives, and I assumed from the timing cover again, so I cleaned the engine.






Clean sump by bcjamesmini, on Flickr



Then this morning I went for a drive up the M1, about 30 miles, to make sure I could get it to re-leak. Worked a treat, although didn't give the result I wanted!



All good here by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

So, clearly the oil dripping off of the engine around the timing cover/diff is in fact originating from further up. All of the front of the engine (as viewed) is clean, right down to the middle of the sump. The oil is pooling and dripping off the sump from down the back of the engine.



Not so good here... by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

Although the photo is not great, you can see the wet path of fresh oil going down the otherwise matte block behind cylinder 1, on the very corner. The head gasket was changed about a fortnight back, since it had been leaking from here. I thought it had been fine since, but the oil must have just been getting lost amongst the muck.

Does this mean something is wrong with the head? I am losing quite a bit of oil out of it! Thankfully I have MRA up the road who can sort pesky cylinder heads, but I'd like an idea of whats happened before it comes off the road again!

Learned folk of TMF, educate me!

[sledgehammer]

Hi
Just a thought - on some heads there is a little rivet blocking the horizontal oil way drilling
may be worth a check as it's in the same area
behind the bypass hose and up a bit , right on the corner of the head

Edited by sledgehammer, 21 August 2011 - 02:09 PM.

[bcjames]

Hey,

Thanks for your reply. I shall look in to it. Is it something I need to take the head off to see, or will it be evident from the outside?

I forgot to mention, the car is a late '96 MPi.

[MRA]

it is just behind the thermostat underneath close to the gasket face. you can feel for it .... a bit like braille.

[bcjames]

Thanks for your reply Martin. I've had a look and feel and can't feel anything along there. I'm feeling under the stat on the proper 'front' of the engine, where the timing cover etc is.

[MRA]

Yes, the proper front, left hand side of the engine just by the front or first manifold stud

[bcjames]

Okay, I've had another poke. Thanks for your edit Sledgehammer, I didn't spot that before. Anyway, I found this little rivet, and it's all clean and dry there.


Front by bcjamesmini, on Flickr

As seen from the expansion tank toward engine.

-James

Edited by bcjames, 21 August 2011 - 03:39 PM.

[MRA]

The "rivet" type thingy .... yes thats it well it looks like it anyway...

[bcjames]

In which case it's not that! Time for the head back off do you think?

As much as that is a bit annoying, I'm quite glad the timing cover is all sealed up, the thought of changing that again didn't fill me with joy!