16 replies to this topic

[olly33]

Hi all,I have an oil leak and it's loosing a fair bit when I am driving the car. From what I can see is its leaking by the looks of it from the starter motor bolt hole.
1275 A+ engine.
Would this be the primary gear oil seal,and is it doable with engine in situ?

[ChopperHarris]

Does your clutch slip?

[Spitz]

Have a look under the clutch housing.  There is (should be ) a pin hanging down.  Is there oil dripping from this?  If so, it is a possible sign of the seal failing.

Your oil could well be coming from a leak higher up though....possibly from the valve cover or dipstick tube.

I'd clean the engine well and go for a run...then have a look and see if there is fresh oil leaking from the clean engine

[olly33]

Does your clutch slip?

Don't think it is,but have noticed last week or so,revs are staying up a bit.Was thinking this may just be the accelerator cable sticking tho.

[olly33]

Have a look under the clutch housing.  There is (should be ) a pin hanging down.  Is there oil dripping from this?  If so, it is a possible sign of the seal failing.
Your oil could well be coming from a leak higher up though....possibly from the valve cover or dipstick tube.
I'd clean the engine well and go for a run...then have a look and see if there is fresh oil leaking from the clean engine

There is oil on this pin,but I did wipe it all down previously and I'm confident its coming from the starter bolt and running down.

[ChopperHarris]

That would be very unusual...read unlikely
Unless the leak is outside the bellhousing and tracking down....which would be nice!

[olly33]

That would be very unusual...read unlikely
Unless the leak is outside the bellhousing and tracking down....which would be nice!

If that is the case i will take another look again.Cheers

[olly33]

Cleaned all old oil off,and still got this leak.Its mainly wet on the clutch side of block,like I say it's wet from starter bolt hole running down and also noticed a drip on the opposite side on bottom of timing cover.
I am wondering if the timing side is just where it's ran across to here from clutch side.
Also noticed a bit of oil,around the dizzy.Can it leak here? It's clamped down tight tho.

Cheers in advance,just cannot gather where it's coming from,except this starter bolt hole...

[Spitz]

I'd still be suspect of the valve cover gasket leaking and possibly the dipstick.

You have crankcase ventilation from the clutch cover or timing chain cover?  Is it plugged?

[olly33]

I'd still be suspect of the valve cover gasket leaking and possibly the dipstick.
You have crankcase ventilation from the clutch cover or timing chain cover?  Is it plugged?

Rocker cover gasket seems fine,no leaks as I renewed this a few months ago. Dipstick is no longer leaking,fitted new o- rings and its tight in the hole in block now also. I have both ventilated and running to the carb.
Cheers

[olly33]

Seems like it is the primary oil seal. With portable modern tech,I ordered a camera with led on the end of a 2 metre usb lead that fits to my phone and slid it down to reveal a puddle of oil at the Base of the orange primary seal.
So my next question,is it possible to do it while engine in car and any special tools needed or a how too or tips on here?

[Spitz]

It is possible to do with the engine in situ, but can be a bear.

 

You'll need to release the engine mount on the clutch side, and release the top engine steady from the block.

Raise the engine a little with a jack on the clutch side of the gearbox.

Remove the clutch return spring… ( if a verto I'm not sure how it works )

Now you need to scrape some skin off undoing all the bolts holding the clutch cover on ( nine I think ).  The rear most lower two are the worst.
You'll need to remove the starter and have something to lock the ring gear while you put some brute force into undoing the flywheel bolt.

Someone else can take over from here…lol…off to bed.

 

Bottom line….much easier to do with the lump out of the car

[Dusky]

Considering all the work to remove the engine its not that much easier. My faster flywheel removed was 32 minutes on a mini with no bonnet.

[olly33]

Would prefer to do in situ even tho I know it's going to be a ******* of a job,as I neither have a hoist or the space really to get the engine out. Any special tools needed? And what causes the seal to fail? Any recommendations on a good quality seal to replace it with. Cheers in advance

[Matt's Dad]

I did this many years ago, engine in the car and without the proper tool and it was a right pain...

It will be much more manageable with this device: https://goo.gl/zdCyur

The 13H2934MS seal from Minispares seems to be well regarded and isn't exactly expensive.

 

...and as Dusky alludes to, much easier with the bonnet off.

Edited by Matt's Dad, 17 December 2015 - 02:16 PM.