Oil leak from timing cover

[stevejgreen]

Can anybody give some advise, I am new to Minor motoring and would appreciate advise on a small oil leak. Every time I turn the engine off the car drops 2 or 3 drops of oil from the front of the engine, is this what is to be expected? The car does not appear to be using oil as I have just covered 100 miles without any movement on the dipstick ( max at the start and max after 100 miles )
For info my Minor is a 4 door 63 ( 20k miles from new! ) which has been rebuilt to a high standard with the engine having a stage one tune.
Many thanks.
Steve.

[philthehill]

In all probability it is either the front sump seal or the timing cover oil sealseal.

[Budgie]

I wonder how many minors are out there that don't have some form of oil leak? I was told that even the dealerships had brand new minors with drip trays underneath the engine in the show rooms! btw mine has the classic crankcase oil leak

[simmitc]

I'd be very upset if the oil went down over just 100 miles The fact that yours hasn't is good. 2 or 3 drips is nothing to worry about unless (a) they are very large drips or (b) you have a spotless floor that should stay that way - use a drip tray.

You could try replacing the timing cover oil seal and timing cover gasket; and make sure that the breathing system is good so that there is no positive pressure in the crankcase. However, you could make things worse by fiddling. It is just possible that the crankshaft pulley has a groove worn, but only if very high mileage. Apart from that, live with it and enjoy the car.

[Boomlander]

Jethro drops oil from the sump seals on a regular basis - just means using a drip tray and topping up with fresh oil now and then.

[philthehill]

There is absolutely no need to tolerate any oil leaks/drips from an 'A' Series engine.
It is not as if the parts to rectify the oil leaks are not available and unreasonably priced.
The jobs themselves are relatively easy to undertake and complete.
So long as care is taken in fitting the sump and the timing chain cover oil seal is fitted correctly and centralised those two components will not leak.
Even if the crankshaft front pulley is worn it can be replaced and even better upgraded with a damper type pulley.
Oil costs money and there is no need to throw it away!
Phil

[Boomlander]

Wow....That told us!

[philthehill]

Do the job properly and forget.

[amgrave]

Spoken like a true engineer

[Budgie]

So why didn't they make them leak proof from new then, now that would be even easier and we wouldn't have to tolerate it .

[philthehill]

The Minor sump and timing chain cover even with the felt seal were leak proof when new but you have to remember that nothing lasts forever.
It is an old wife's tale about Minors in the show room with drip trays underneath
I have carried out enough brand new Minor (and BMC variants fitted with the 'A' Series engine) pre-delivery checks and examinations when working in a BMC dealership garage to know that it is not true.
If the sump gaskets and the timing chain cover seal/gasket are fitted correctly they are leak proof - and you do not need any fancy goo to do the job either - just the gaskets/cork seals /felt or neoprene lip seal and a smear of grease.
Phil

[stevejgreen]

Thanks for all of your advise, all of my other A series engined cars I have had in the past were dry so I will try to get this one to agree to stop spitting on the garage floor.
Steve.

[Budgie]

So how do I go about stopping the oil leak by the crankcase which drips down and off the gearbox giggle pin. It only does it a few times after I've come to a stop, it's not much just annoying and messy over time.

[philthehill]

Different source of oil leak to the thread posted - but the oil leak from the rear main can be overcome by ensuring that your engine crankcase is well ventilated and your main bearings are in tolerance i.e. not worn out.
You may even have a weep from the oil pump cover.
If you had a leak from the sump rear cork seal it would manifest itself in oil running down the front of the rear engine plate.
Phil

[Budgie]

Ah ok, well I checked the ventilation and all is clear there, so best I check the other areas then .

[bmcecosse]

BMC DID make the engine 'oil drip free' when they were new......but after many years, oil seals go hard and a little wear is inevitable. However - 2 or 3 drips from the timing case is hardly a big worry. I would leave that well alone. Drips from the jiggle pin are more worrying because there is a good chance the oil will get on the clutch plate. As above - it's caused by crankcase pressure and wear in the rear main bearing allowing the 'scroll' to be overloaded with oil . Certainly worth improving the breathing - the PCV valve system to suck the fumes into the engine is the best system - but if the bearings are worn - the remedy is obvious.