Oil pump leaking

[ukbiggles]

Hi all, can someone give some advice. I had the engine rebuilt about 18 months and 2400 miles ago. A new County Oil pump was fitted (with the old spring). Had no fluid leaks of any kind. Just done an oil change and no oil leaking from spin on filter or sump.

But the oil pump seems to have started leaking. See picture below. It's not a huge amount of oil coming out - no discernable difference on the dipstick level. Question is, can I continue to run with this for a while or is it likely to let go and cause me a real problem?

Cheers Gord

oil pump leak.jpg

[Andrew S]

It will not cause you any problem apart from cleaning your driveway or garage floor. Its a quick fix to do. All you do is full out the split pin, pull the valve out and fit a new O ring. saying that oil will drip off at this point from other places above it, so worth wiping around the area and see if and where it appears from. Over all, there is no need to worry as it wont get any worse and oil cannot pour out from this point.

[ukbiggles]

Thanks, Andrew, I appreciate the advice. One further thing. Will much oil let go when I pull the valve out? I'm pretty sure that this is what the problem is as I can feel the oil inside the bottom of the cylinder containing the valve if I stick finger in it. I wouldn't expect it to get in there if coming from above?

Cheers

Gord

[Andrew S]

If you haven't started the engine, then there wont beany pressure, just the spring

[milothedog]

Thanks, Andrew, I appreciate the advice. One further thing. " Will much oil let go when I pull the valve out?" I'm pretty sure that this is what the problem is as I can feel the oil inside the bottom of the cylinder containing the valve if I stick finger in it. I wouldn't expect it to get in there if coming from above?

Cheers

Gord

Gord, there will be a minimal amount of oil in there but you may find the cap difficult to get out. give it a sharp tap inwards first and you may be lucky seeing as it's a new pump and it will spring back and out.

A good strong magnet and keep twisting it has done the job a few time for me in the past as well.

Ian.

[ukbiggles]

Hi Andrew/Ian

Where would we budding mechanics be without this Forum? Thanks to you both for the advice today. I think I'll leave it till after the summer and do it over the winter.

Cheers

Gord