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Big Oil Leak

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shorn

Jedi Knight
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Went for a 60 mile drive on the 4th of July. About half way I noticed the smell of oil. The Oil pressure was lower than normal. Normal is low anyway, but that is another project for another day. Popped the hood and noticed oil all over the underside of the hood and just about everywhere else. Dip stick did not register at all. Added almost 3 quarts of oil and drove home, adding another quart on the way. The first project was to clean up the mess as I had no idea where the leak was, as oil was dripping from everywhere. Talk about marking your territory, this Healey was claiming the whole county. After the cleanup I noticed oil coming out of the rear tappet cover. The gasket was very mashed up. Blame the PO. So off to Autosport, our local parts house, for a new gasket. Problem solved. Not yet. Another drive found a significant leak. At first it looked like the hole in the bell housing, but further examination showed oil coming down the side of the bell housing and dripping from the cotter pin in the hole. Now what. Autosport suggested the back of the valve cover, head gasket (new though), pressure relief nut, oil line to the guage, or even the oil pan gasket. Valve cover ok, head gasket shows no leak, nothing from the relief valve nut or oil line to the guage. So I tried tightening the bolts to the oil pan. I probably was able to get a full turn on each nut without applying too much torque. To tired for another drive or test tonight but I hope that is the problem. Other ideas, just in case, anyone? By the way, the replacement gasket for the tappet cover was rubber, not cork, and it seems to provide for a much tighter seal. Thanks.
 
I have just cured a BIG oil leak, it was the flex.pipe from the pressure gauge to the block, not the screwed attachments but the flex hose.What was beating me was the fact that it only leaked when the engine was running(for obvious reasons). An oil soaked under-carriage is not a pretty sight.An inspection 'downstream'of the drive way showed regular spaced large oil drops and running the engine while on stands gave the answer.
 
Hi Shorn, Oil coming down the side of the bell housing around the clutch lever suggests that the rear engine oil seal may be worn. Did you also check the Tranny oil level and make sure that the leak only involves the engine. A failed front tranny seal can produce a similar indication.--Fwiw---Keoke
 
Tranny fluid level was ok, actually a little high so I siphoned some out. As for the engine, is there a rear main seal? Not sure, but I thought not. I know there is a paper gasket for the rear engine mounting plate, although I don't know if it is likely to fail. To get at it, I suppose you need to pull the engine. Not on my to do list, I hope.
John, flex pipe seems ok.
 
hello Shorn, I had a serious oil leak on my Bj7 earlier in the year, which was well documented on this forum. It turned out to be the valve cover gasket although I just couldn't see it for the longest time. I changed all the tappet side cover gaskets first before I noticed the valve cover leaking at the very front and running down the cylinder head to the water pump area and then getting sprayed evrywhere by the fan. the rear valve cover area could also be prone to leaking down the back of the block. I regasketed everything with cork gaskets and black RTV silicone. I installed the gaskets with the RTV and moderately tighthened all fasteners, then let it set for 24 hours before I started the engine. those areas are quite dry now.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif Dave
 
I just had a bout with oil coming thorugh the rear air cleaner. It turned out to be due to a warn rocker shaft. Oil sucket up into the "T" and out the air cleaner and from there all over the place as blow by. Check the Master cylinder. It drips directly on them. Are you still leaking that much oil after the new seals? I also had a flex hose to the oil gauge fail.
 
I just went out for a short drive this am and I am happy to report that the leak seems fixed. I must admit that I was somewhat surprised that the oil pan bolts were not anywhere close to being tight. That must have been the majority of the problem and the rear tappet cover just added some more oil to an already messy situation.
 
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