Leaking oil and fire hazard

[Member 10617]

As a newcomer to this forum, I have a lot of questions ... many probably dumb questions. But I'll ask nevertheless.

I know TR3s are notorious for leaking oil. Mine leaks, but perhaps not as much as most as I have had some new seals and gaskets installed recently. But leak, it does.

And the oil leaking falls on the headpipe of the exhaust system. Not much, but some. Question is: does this present a fire hazard as the headpipe is one of the hottest pipes in the exhaust system?

Frankly, I don't know how this can be avoided, but I thought I'd ask you veterans.

 

[Deleted member 8987]

Generally naught, unless it falls on a hot cat.
Smoke will be your indication.

However, I recall a certain early synthetic oil that A) created fires, especialy on big-block Chryslers with the channel between valve cover and upswinging exhaust manifold and B) threats of lawsuits by the manufacturers of said oil if anyone pointed that out (know a guy in a shop who got a "visit").

Some bigger cars have the header pipe from one side to the other going right under the rear of the oil pan, near the rear main seal, and I have chipped off 1/2" of crystallized burnt oil from main, pan, and leaking valve cover gaskets.

If it was a problem, we'd not have too many LBC's still on the road.

 

[Deleted member 8987]

That said, I have no idea what all the synthetics would do.
Regular motor oil, no.

 

[TR3driver]

Synthetics are no problem either.

Even gasoline isn't likely to be ignited by a hot exhaust system. Many years ago I was driving a TR3A where the exhaust manifold would glow bright red (due to overly lean mixture), and the carbs would sometimes drip raw fuel right onto the manifold. Gave me quite a scare when I heard the HISS ... HISS ... HISS and saw the red spot that would briefly turn black. But it never burned.

The movies have seriously exaggerated the dangers ... they have to load the cars with dynamite to get them to blow up like that.

 

[gardener]

https://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-s...3_3334027_n.jpg
I think the majority of the time Triumph cars is damaged for the time it's stay in bad storages. When you maintain your car running you have time to check it from time to time and make the upgrades it would need, and in this matter the master is Brosky and his Mimosa beauty TR6. This one go to every island tour. This was taken in a sunset in the beautiful beach of RIncon, PR

 

[Member 10617]

Many thanks for the reassurance. I never see smoke, but -- as with the case with most of these cars -- I can smell the oil. I think you are right.TOC, if there were a problem there probably wouldn't be many of these cars on the road.

The adventure continues!

 

[Member 10617]

I wonder if wrapping the header pipe with tape made especially for exhaust systems might cut down on some of the heat so that the oil won't burn or crystallize on the pipe?

 

[poolboy]

Where is the oil coming from ? Maybe you're having a problem with crankcase pressure.

 

[Member 10617]

I don't know about crankcase pressure. The transmission has just been rebuilt and overdrive added. New style seals were added wherever possible. The old transmission leaked; the new one leaks. No change there.

 

[poolboy]

Oh. Sorry I misunderstood; so it's oil from the tranny, not the engine.

 

[TR3driver]

The transmission has just been rebuilt ... the new one leaks.

I would be having some sharp words with whoever rebuilt it! Believe it or not, they really can be made to not leak.

 

[tdskip]

The transmission has just been rebuilt ... the new one leaks.

I would be having some sharp words with whoever rebuilt it! Believe it or not, they really can be made to not leak.

I agree - a newly rebuilt unit should not be leaking.

As the guys said - no fire hazard.

Please don't be shy about asking questions!