1975 with an interesting leak

[ScotStern]

I have a 1975 MGB with overdrive that is original. The car is in great condition as it recently underwent a restoration that left it really nice in terms of appearance and functionality.

Anyway, if this car sits in my garage or any place level it does not leak and is dry. If I park it on a slight incline (driveway) it leaks. Any thoughts? The leak appears to be at the back of the overdrive but then again we all know that where it appears is not necessarily where it originates.

I have seen it on a lift and it is nothing obvious.

Scot Stern
1979 & 1975

 

[wrenchpuller]

Hi Scot,
you do not say whether the car is facing uphill or down. I am assuming that it is up. Q: is the trans/od oil at correct level (not overfull). I would suspect output seal, or seal/gasket on the side where the solonoid is. May be the lower gasket but I doubt it. Mine was leaking when parked hot on level, that was a quick tighten on lower plate bolts. Suggest you get under and retighten all you can find.
Cheers Ric

 

[Nunyas]

check the line going to/from the oil filter? My '76 has had a leak since I got it, and only recently figured out that it was coming from there.

 

[DrEntropy]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi Scot,
you do not say whether the car is facing uphill or down. I am assuming that it is up. Q: is the trans/od oil at correct level (not overfull). I would suspect output seal, or seal/gasket on the side where the solonoid is. May be the lower gasket but I doubt it. Mine was leaking when parked hot on level, that was a quick tighten on lower plate bolts. Suggest you get under and retighten all you can find.
Cheers Ric

[/ QUOTE ]

Ya left out "gingerly" there Ric.

How was that moose stew, BTW?

 

[mgbmedic]

mine had a bad leak at the oil filter adapter, where it bolted to the block, a new brass washer fixed the problem.

 

[Grantura_MKI]

Sounds like a rear seal, Scot. Should be a fun job.
Cheers, David. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nopity.gif

 

[ScotStern]

It is when the car is facing uphill although, I have not tried it facing downhill.

Thanks,

Scot

 

[wrenchpuller]

Yes left out gingerly or not with much gusto, think they are only about 15ft/lb. Moose stew was great, and only a memory now (more meat in freezer)
Cheers Ric

 

[tony barnhill]

Next time you park it, lay a piece of cardboard under it..make a circle on the cardboard directly under the rear of the transmission & check the next day to see whwere the oil/tranny fluid is in relation to the circle....then, you can jack car up & slide under to check for fresh leaks around the circle.

 

[ScotStern]

Thanks to everyone for your input and assistance. In an effort to make a contribution to this board, I thought I might share with you something that I learned a few years ago from my airplane mechanic.

I had an oil leak on a brand new airplane and it was driving everyone crazy. It only seemed to happen when the airplane was warm and the only way to warm it up was to fly it.

Anyway, when I returned the oil would be all over everything and they could not tell where it was coming from. Oil seems to travel easily and it was difficult to find the source.

Everyone scratched their heads and then the "old man" that owned the shop came over and cleaned the engine really good and then covered it in baby powder!

They told me to fly it again and then they looked at it and found the oil leak in about 1 minute. It turns out that an engine stud was drilled too deep and it was winding its way out of the stud!

The source is not the lesson, but the baby power is, so I am passing this one to you for whatever it is worth!

Thanks,


Scot Stern

 

[mgbmedic]

wow, great tip...makes sense. Don't you just love the "old" mechanics, they like to keep things simple and cheap.