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A New Leak

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H

healeygal

Jedi Warrior
Offline
Got back from my trip up the coast Tuesday and have been monitoring the car and it's drips of oil, and at 11:00 p.m. tonight noticed a new leak seems to be starting - in the center of the car, in line with the rear end of the muffler. The oil is clear (transmission?), not a large quantity - looks like three large silver dollars. (Had I noticed this yesterday, I could have taken a look to see if I could trace where the oil was coming from today, when the car was up in the air at the muffler shop, having it's flex pipe replaced.) Any ideas/prognosis on what this is and what's in store for the future (groan)...

Sharon
Leaking BN1
 
Hi Sharon,
Something at the back of the overdrive is likely leaking a bit. To put things in perspective, there are about 16,479 drops in a quart of oil. It takes about three drops to make a dollar sized puddle. This means that there are about 5,400 puddles per quart of oil. The oil loss is not very great & easy to replace.

Yes, it is annoying, but the old car designs just DO leak, & the Healeys are definitely old design. The basic Healey Four design originated in 1929 as a six cylinder borrowed from Chevrolet. The English simply removed two cylinders for better economy & lower taxes. The transmission is also an old design. Before the Japanese cars showed us that cars didn't have to leak, we took such leaks for granted. It is asking a lot for an old design to not leak. Be glad that it is not leaking more, & be prepared to clean up after it if necessary. I would just live with it. You can check it for loose bolts but other than that it is a losing battle.
D
 
great post!!! just what i needed to hear to combat my somewhat obsessive tendencies!

[ QUOTE ]
Hi Sharon,
Something at the back of the overdrive is likely leaking a bit. To put things in perspective, there are about 16,479 drops in a quart of oil. It takes about three drops to make a dollar sized puddle. This means that there are about 5,400 puddles per quart of oil. The oil loss is not very great & easy to replace.

Yes, it is annoying, but the old car designs just DO leak, & the Healeys are definitely old design. The basic Healey Four design originated in 1929 as a six cylinder borrowed from Chevrolet. The English simply removed two cylinders for better economy & lower taxes. The transmission is also an old design. Before the Japanese cars showed us that cars didn't have to leak, we took such leaks for granted. It is asking a lot for an old design to not leak. Be glad that it is not leaking more, & be prepared to clean up after it if necessary. I would just live with it. You can check it for loose bolts but other than that it is a losing battle.
D

[/ QUOTE ]
 
HI Sharon, I think you mentioned some time earlier that you have a fresh engine.You might ask the rebuilder if they installed the Uprated rear engine seal. If it is the front trans seal there is an uprated one for that too. However changing to a double shielded bearing at the input {Pilot} shaft reduces the tendency to leak here. FWIW---Keoke
 
[ QUOTE ]
there are about 16,479 drops in a quart of oil.

[/ QUOTE ]

Where DO you find this wealth of information? I'm impressed!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Bruce
 
Hi Bruce,
Just an approximation. If you assume that the oil drop is .200" in diameter, it contains .069 cc. Since there are 1137 cc in a quart, it comes out to about 16,478 drops per quart. But I'll bet you already knew that.
D
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

APProximation, isn't that the equivalent of guessing.--Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Sharon...what would a LBC be without oil spots...or drips...or leaks... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Answer...
A Toyota? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

APProximation, isn't that the equivalent of guessing.--Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
According to my dictionary, an approximation is considerably closer than a guess. More like an educated guess. Note that I said "assuming" in the first post. Do you know differently? If so, please enlighten me.
D
 
I did not respond to the first post---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]

I did not respond to the first post---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Then you took the second one out of context. Always be aware of the whole picture. I'm through with this silly discussion.
D
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hi Bruce,
Just an approximation. If you assume that the oil drop is .200" in diameter, it contains .069 cc. Since there are 1137 cc in a quart, it comes out to about 16,478 drops per quart. But I'll bet you already knew that.
D

[/ QUOTE ]

Dave--

I know you want to let this string go, but I have to ask: Do the diameters/weights of drops of oil vary significantly by viscosity and/or detergency?
 
Hi Dave,
Thanks for the interesting and informative reply - certainly does put things in perspective, and helps me to keep a relaxed attitude about the situation! Sounds like I've got tons of puddles to go before I have to worry about adding any oil, but of course will keep an eye on all the fluid levels.

Keoke,
The engine has the updated rear seal and the oil is clear, so don't think the engine is leaking - - - yet.

Henri,
Yes, I think the spots, drips and leaks are all part of the package with an LBC!

Sharon
BN1
 
Michael,
There is a branch of science called rheology that deals with this sort of question. There are several thousand entries on the internet that deal with it. Good luck.
D /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
WOW!!! now I know why I am so fond of the TV show "CSI" and this forum to the point of obsession!!!(camera pans in) "...we can conclude by the (blood/oil) splatter pattern that this was caused by a (8 inch K-Bar hunting knife/transmission oil seal)and that the amount of (blood/fluid) loss would be of such that (death/overdrive failure) would be the likely outcome of this incident..." (camera pans back from shot of (gore splashed on floor/oil splashed on floor) as Grissom/Russell look at the latest case) I LOVE THIS STUFF!!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif
 
Dave--

HAH--GOTCHA!! :smile:

Best--Michael
 
Michael,
I have never seen CSI so it is lost on me. I think I get the general drift though. So much for perspective. Glad that you are having fun.
D
 
[ QUOTE ]
Michael,
I have never seen CSI so it is lost on me.
D

[/ QUOTE ]

Dave--

You've got the wrong guy--I've never watched it either.

Hope all is well--Michael
 
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