Oil leak

[faversham999]

I was told my car has an oil leak at the back of the engine behind the back plate what is causing it and what part do I need

[bmcecosse]

It will likely be pressure in the crankcase - pushing oil out past the rear scroll - it doesn't have a real 'seal' there. To test - hot engine idling - take the oil filler cap off and rev up. Is there a plume of smoke/fume ? Also check the breathers are clear - and at least one is going into the air cleaner or into the suction tube on the side of the carb. It 'may' just be the rear part of the sump gasket leaking - clean off all the oil mess and try to determine if the leaking oil is running down the back of the sump - or is it appearing from the split-pin in the base of the gearbox bellhousing.