Hi All
I have a fairly substantial oil leak and I suspect that its the cork gasket at the rear of the sump.
I have removed the sump bolts and to my horror found that the sump has been "glued down" with some sort of gasket sealer. It is not easy to access the join and I really don't want to have to take the engine out. I'm also concerned that prising it out may cause damage.
Are there any suggestions on how to make a difficult job easy?
Oil leak and removal of sump sealed with sealant.
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grandpascot
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Re: Oil leak and removal of sump sealed with sealant.
If what they've used is just silicone RTV, which is what most gasket sealants are, then slow and steady force will cause the sump to come loose - pull down on the front of the sump with your fingers until it begins to go, and then the rest should come slowly.
If they've used some kind of adhesive cement, that's more difficult...you might be able to use a hair dryer (NOT a heat gun - you don't want too much heat in this area if the engine is oily on the outside!) to coax the adhesive into a more pliable state. Or you may end up having to lever on it. Try to use a soft lever, like a hard plastic scraper, to avoid marring the block or sump faces (but this may not be effective).
Once the sump is off, inspect the flange for warping. Usually people use sealant on sumps that have warped flanges, because the gasket can't seal on its own. If it is warped, you could carefully dress it back into shape with a soft-faced peening hammer, but most times it's easier just to find a new sump.
If they've used some kind of adhesive cement, that's more difficult...you might be able to use a hair dryer (NOT a heat gun - you don't want too much heat in this area if the engine is oily on the outside!) to coax the adhesive into a more pliable state. Or you may end up having to lever on it. Try to use a soft lever, like a hard plastic scraper, to avoid marring the block or sump faces (but this may not be effective).
Once the sump is off, inspect the flange for warping. Usually people use sealant on sumps that have warped flanges, because the gasket can't seal on its own. If it is warped, you could carefully dress it back into shape with a soft-faced peening hammer, but most times it's easier just to find a new sump.
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Re: Oil leak and removal of sump sealed with sealant.
You certainly don't need to take the engine out to remove the sump !! 
Just prise it off -and NEVER EVER use ghastly sealant - BMC didn't - why should you... Is the leak definitely from the cork seal - they are usually very good? Much more likely to be from the crankshaft labyrinth - is the oil coming out of the little jiggle pin in the bellhousing?
Just prise it off -and NEVER EVER use ghastly sealant - BMC didn't - why should you... Is the leak definitely from the cork seal - they are usually very good? Much more likely to be from the crankshaft labyrinth - is the oil coming out of the little jiggle pin in the bellhousing?
