Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi Guys,

my 1275 is now leaking a fair bit of oil from all over the place, e.g. out of the dipstick hole and around the sump. It is almost as if the pressure is too high in the crankcase.

Am I right in thinking that there are/is a breather hole to release pressure in the crankcase? Could this be blocked? and if so where is it?

Anyone got anyother ideas, before just start replacing gaskets?

As usual thanks for the advice.

H

I think it depends as to which 1275 you have regarding what breathers were on the engine originally.
For marina/Ital, often there is a breather on the timing chain cover that connects to the carb/air box, and an inlet which (I'm guessing) would be on a tappet chest cover.
The Midget 1275 is different again, but the general principal is to have an inlet and an outlet - the outlet goes to the air box or car so that any exhaust fumes that get into the crankcase are not just let out into the engine bay to prevent them being sucked into the cabin.

when you fit a marina or ital engine you normal remove the front breather and fit a minor rocker cover or breathe via the fuel pump opening

I would check that you actualy have a breather present on the engine, look for a pipe on the rocker box or from the block under the carb/exhaust.

I have seen one conversion localy with no breather and oil going every where..

also ital/marina engines have a few holes from old engine mounts on side of block that need blocking to stop oil leaking

thanks guys, have been off the pace on this one, car has rested in the garage, whilst I focus'd on the stable mate. Will check it out over the next week.

by the way I should have said it is a standard ital engine.

if it is a standard ital engine you will need to check the breather out as you normaly have to remove the standard ital one to clear the minor fan

OK, so I have checked out the breather and all seems alright. But have taken compression readings, and one cylinder is down to 105, the others are 165,180, and 195. There is no oil in the water, but I am still venting oil out of the dipstick hole, the breather in the rocker cover cap and out every other place it can get out. Does this sound like the head gasket?

Please advise before I pull the head gasket off?

Hmmm.......... if all the breathers are OK then it could have blown through into your oil.........

It's quite possible that the head gasket has gone.

Remove the oil filler cap while the engine is running and put your hand over the top of the rocker cover and feel if there is a LOT of pressure (a small amount is normal).

If the pressure is excessive and the breathers are clear then it does suggest a head gasket......

Wouldn't there be a corresponding drop in the radiator level as well if the head gasket has failed?

Not if the combustion chamber has just blown through into an oil delivery hole or pushrod section.

Thanks Cam, I cant see what else is could cause it at this stage, so head will have to come off. Will have to come back to this whole breather thing as need to confirm my set up is right.

but head first.

but head first.

I have to agree with you there.