Oil marks the spot....

[mjobrien]

OK, help me out a little if you can. Is it crazy to attempt to stop every oil leak on a 55 vintage Healey? I have most of the leaks stopped but the rear end (at main gasket) and oil pan are still leaking.

Has anyone used the string with gasket sealer trick or do I need to pull the axels and redo the gasket?

Should I can the cork gasket and go with make a gasket material or permatex like sealant?

Thanks in advance!
Michael

 

[Dave Russell]

It's unusual for the main center section to leak. The gaskets I've seen are heavy paper, not cork. Are you sure that the pinion seal is not leaking & running back to the main joint. If by chance it is the pinion seal, they are not too hard to change.

Since you have to pull the axles to get the center part out, I'd consider waiting a bit. If you pull the axles, there will be the axle flange to bearing carrier seals & the main rear axle bearing seals to contend with also. Getting these parts reinstalled AND sealed can be quite a task.
D

 

[Ed_K]

Hi Michael,
I couldn't tell that my rear axle was leaking in two different places until after I replaced the pinion seal. Then I was able to see the leak from the bottom . Keoke or Dave,( I can't remember which ), suggested that I try loosening the bottom four nuts on the rear axle and then sealing up the base of the threads with some gasket/sealer I used Permatex RTV under the washers and nuts and then tightened them back down. That stopped the leak without taking all of the nuts loose and using Coastalman's string trick.
Ed

 

[mjobrien]

Dave, Ed,


Both suggestions sound logical, I'll wait a bit and also do a little sealing around the bottom bolts. After a few wipes and a check a day or so later it does appear that this is the main seal and the pinion seal is dry at least so far......

Hey if they didn't leak what would we do with our spare time when they are all done /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif