• Hi Guest!
    You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

oil leak, looks like fun.

Share this page

EastBoundJoe

EastBoundJoe

Member
Offline
I just figured out why the Midget all of a sudden started bogging down while idling. I noticed that the oil pressure gauge was normally at 60-70psi while idling at 1000-1300RPM. Now it is idling at 900-750RPM (struggling to run) and an oil pressure of 45-50psi. I looked underneath the car and saw the oil, wow there was a lot. Now I know these British cars normally leak oil but this was a bizarre amount.

This picture might help:

https://eastboundjoe.tripod.com/imagelib/...&target=tlx_new
(previous owner was from Virginia, still need to put MA plates on. Is there any advantage to getting antique versus regular state plates?)

I’m hoping the oil pan gasket is leaking because that is an easy and inexpensive fix, but I am not ready to find another problem just yet. I’ll wait a day or two to pace myself then lift the car up and take a look; “Nightmare free is the way to be”.
 
Joe,
You're right....that's an oil leak LOL.

Hopefully it's only the gasket as you say. Other 'easy' places to look might be to make sure the oil filter is tight, oil pressure tube is screwed into the engine OK, and that the dipstick isn't leaking.

Other information that might help diagnose the problem. What year Midget, size engine(1275, 1098)? Also any ideas while the idle had dropped so much? How do the plugs look, oily, sooty?

In terms of plaes, at least in N.J. insurance is much cheaper for Antique, but there's a limit on where/how you can drive it.

Keep the board posted. Good luck.How about a picture of the car?
 
Mine was about that size...maybe a bit bigger. Could be something topside related like mine was. Mine just had a massive leak on the oil pressure line at the engine block. Also the big bolt fitting the oil supply line that goes to the oil filter leaked big time. A new copper washer under the bolt head resolved that leak.

Might check to see if there's a PCV system fitted. For a while I didn't have one on mine and oil leaked out the back end of the motor. Since fitted that leak has gone away.
 
Thanks fellas, I'll be sure to check all those spots and then some. The engine is the famous1275and I'll check the spart plugs in a day or two. I just replaced the battey because the old one would die 20 mins after a jump start and shutdown.

The car, AKA: "Vanessa"
https://eastboundjoe.tripod.com/imagelib/...&target=tlx_new

https://eastboundjoe.tripod.com/imagelib/...&target=tlx_new

Check this out, I found some seats that are not original to a 72 Midget, but I think they look better and are a lot more comfortable.

https://eastboundjoe.tripod.com/imagelib/...&target=tlx_new

https://eastboundjoe.tripod.com/imagelib/...&target=tlx_new
Installing them dose not look easy, its kind of baffling me right now... leave that project on the back burner.
 
Just a note on the plates, in MA you can only get normal plates if you have insurance (I'm sure you know this), however, I believe that with antique plates, you don't need insurance. This can be helpful if you want to take the car off the road for extended periods of time sans insurance.

In WA normal plates have to be renewed every year while antique plates (which I have) are a one time fee. The one time fee is even cheaper than normal plates to boot.

Ben
 
Looked all around the engine block, around the oil filter, dipstick, oil pump, they were all dry as a bone without any evidence of an oil leak. Then...

I took a look at the gearbox for the 1275, these pictures should help.

https://eastboundjoe.tripod.com/imagelib/...&target=tlx_new

https://eastboundjoe.tripod.com/imagelib/...&target=tlx_new
^^I think there is supposed to be a dust boot there maby^^ thats where its leaking the gearbox fluid

https://eastboundjoe.tripod.com/imagelib/...&target=tlx_new
^^ or here^^

Back of the oil pan...
https://eastboundjoe.tripod.com/imagelib/...&target=tlx_new
Looked all around the engine block, around the oil filter, dipstick, oil pump, they were all dry as a bone without any evidence of an oil leak.
Is there a special gearbox oil that needs to be added, or can I just put 10-W40 motor oil in?

Thanks,
--Joe
 
Yup, there is supose to be a dush boot, however the bell housing does have a hole with a cotter key in it that is supose to allow for drainage but not that much.

Something is going on inside, oil pump maybe or or. Going to have to open it up to find out.

Regular engine oil for smooth boxes and rib cage trannys.
 
Grasping at straws here, but have you checked the PCV system to make sure it's still connected? Without it connected it could cause rough running (vacuum leak), and cause oil to leak out the rear scroll seak.
 
First thing I would do is power-wash that baby down so you can identify where the oil is coming from!
 
I have not looked at the PVC system yet (thanks for that comment), that will be the next place I will search for disconnected lines. I was under the car last night and ran the engine, searching for a drip, at my surprise there was none. Then I had my father push the clutch pedal up and down while shifting gears (without any power added of course), still nothing seeped out. I think it only leaks oil when the car is being driven in gear, so now I'm going to drive it in for a minute then lift it up and look for leaks. I’ll let you all know what I find.

P.S. I registered the car in New Hampshire (no insurance needed, plus vanity plates are cheep) I have 10 days until she needs to be inspected.

Thanks for all your help,
--Joe
 
Back
Top