Engine oil Leak 1275cc

[plg422d]

My Minor has developed an oil leak from the rear of the engine (1275cc Marina). Is this likely to be the crankshaft rear oil seal that is gone?

Any tips on replacing? Is this an engine out job and any special tools needed?

Thanks

[mike.perry]

1275 engines leak if the crankcase breather system is not plumbed in correctly as they rely on negative crankcase pressure. There should be a breather pipe from the canister on the timing chain cover to the brass tube on the carb. There is no rear oil seal, it relies on a scroll on the crankshaft.

[plg422d]

Thanks do you know if this is just rubber tubing? as there isn't one at the moment?

Mike

[bmcecosse]

Yes - rubber tubing - and it is ESSENTIAL ! Get an earlier rocker cover if you can - it had a breather connection - and two are better than one!

[plg422d]

Thanks for the advice - you wouldn't happen to know the diameter of the hose required?

Mike

[bmcecosse]

~ 1/2" ID

[mike.perry]

A length of heater hose will do the job.

[plg422d]

I have just been looking at this in the harsh light of a sunday morning. The crankcase breather is pointing upwards and is vert close to the exhaust manifold. Any tubing will touch the manifold and melt. Is there a solution for this?

Mike

[MarkyB]

Cable tie or something to keep it off the exhaust?
Use a longer bit of pipe perhaps.

[bmcecosse]

Crankcase breather ? Sure it's a 1275 engine ? The 1275 engine should have a breather on the timing case.

[mike.perry]

If the engine has tappet chest covers then it is not a 1275. A Marina/Ital 1275 has an upside down canister oil filter behind towards the back of the block

[plg422d]

It is a 1275cc and thanks to the advice received I think I have solved the problem. Required a 15mm copper elbow from B&Q and some heater hose from Halfords - total cost less than £4. Connected it all up and left the engine running - normally this would have seen a little pool of oil on the drive and an earache from "her indoors" - but nothing. No drips on the drive and no pain in the ear....

The rubber is still very close to the exhaust but if this does become a problem then I can extend it by using some 15mm coper pipe to move the rubber further away.

Thanks everyone who has responded

[bmcecosse]

Can't see how it's a 1275 if it has a crankcase breather - any chance of a picture? The ONLY 1275s with crankcase breather were the 1275 S engines - in Minis! Maybe someone has fitted a breather using the (otherwise unused) mechanical fuel pump hole in the block?? But glad it's fixed - it will be even better if you can add a rocker cover with breather pipe.

[millerman]

I suspect the crank case breather has been fixed to the mechanical fuel pump opening which was done on my 1275cc engine

[plg422d]

Is this a problem - as I think this is what has happened?

[mike.perry]

If you could supply some photos it would satisfy our curiosity.

[plg422d]

Can do but will not be until Tuesday

[bmcecosse]

" Is this a problem - as I think this is what has happened? " - Not a problem at all - in fact a very good modification -provided it's attached to the carb to take the fumes away.