Annoying oil leak

[Paul B]

The Stag is very very close to being finished at last. However, I've got an annoying and rather worrying oil leak. It has done about 30 miles mainly up and down the local roads to the MOT, trimmer and to test things out.Each time after putting it back in the garage,it drops a small patchof oil on the garage floor. I guess its only really a few drops as oil goes a long way.

Its coming from the rear of the engine, running down the gearbox adaptor plate. Worst on the right side of the engine. Its not coming from the oil pump or transfer housing and I don't think its from the sump either. I suspect its the rear crankshaft oil seal. I did this seal when I rebuilt the engine. Incidently I have the same problem with the Dolomite Sprint which uses exactly the same seal.

I don't remember a significant wear mark on the crank, but suppose there may have been. Also I don't think it leaked before the rebuild, although everything is now much cleaner underneath so it would be more obvious.

Does anybody know whether there is a quality problem with this seal? I'm dreading it, as its such a big job, soI only want to do it once. Anysuggestions on how to make sure next time it doesn't leak would be much appreciated.

I will probably wait til the Autumn before starting it, but it will limit the amount I use the car for the remainder of the summer.

These cars can be sooooo frustrating sometimes.

[Arbman Al]

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Hi Paul
Know the feeling as I suspect I have the exact same leak, and it started before I had driven the car anywhere at all :shock::X
All I had done was started it up in the garage.

Where did you get the seal from as I believe the guy who rebuilt my engine got it from Rimmers.

Rgds......Al

[Paul B]

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Hi Al,

Pretty suremy seal would have come from Paddocks.

However, I suspect all the Triumph suppliers get them from thesame place.

Have you fixed yours, if so did you do anything different second time,or are you living with it for now?

Regards, Paul.

[european voyager]

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When you fitted the oil seal did you fit it dry or did you wipe it with oil or grease ? The heat may have affected it if it went on dry perhaps .

[Paul B]

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I used engine assembly lubricant and did lubricate the seal and running surface on the crank before fitting, so don't think it will have been damaged by heat.

[european voyager]

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have you rebuilt the engine ? I think there could be a plug behind the flywheel into the oil gallery ? Maybe that is leaking .

[Paul B]

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Yes, I rebuilt the engine.

I remember the plug you mention and it was pristine so left it well alone, so I doubt whether its the cause of the leak. I guess I'll find out eventually.

[Arbman Al]

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Paul B wrote:

Hi Al,

Pretty sure my seal would have come from Paddocks.

However, I suspect all the Triumph suppliers get them from the same place.

Have you fixed yours, if so did you do anything different second time, or are you living with it for now?

Regards, Paul.

Just living with it for now. Just started using the car, Brands Hatch today is the longest journey so far, so don't want to take the gearbox off yet.
I will have a word with the guy who rebuilt my engine to see what he says.
Al

[Paul B]

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Al,

Yes I noticed you went the Brands today, looks like you had a REALLY good day, I'm very jealous. We race a bit of club Formula Ford and were at Brands about this time last year, its a nice place, and classic F1's too.

Just wondering how far it was and whether you lost very much oil?

[Arbman Al]

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Paul B wrote:

Al,

Yes I noticed you went the Brands today, looks like you had a REALLY good day, I'm very jealous. We race a bit of club Formula Ford and were at Brands about this time last year, its a nice place, and classic F1's too.

Just wondering how far it was and whether you lost very much oil?

It WAS a great day:dude:

It was about 120 miles there and back, but have not checked the oil yet.

Also had a leak from a new brake caliper - looks like a piston seal

Apart from that the car is going really well - touch wood!!

Al

[SGN]

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Check the D shaped seal at the back of the rocker cover,i've got a small leak from there and it's dripping off the back of the engine.

Steve

[Paul B]

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Steve,

Good thought, I don't think its coming from so high up the engine, but will check tonight. Would be a lot easier to fix than the rear crank seal!

Thanks, Paul.

[Stagdad]

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Paul ,

I suspect the rear crank seal is the cause of my leak as i have cleaned and dried the engine then run it and the first place an oil drip appears is from the starter solenoid so i'm guessing its getting flung from the centre out to the starter.A pain to get at though so i'll leave it to the winter.

Cheers Steve

[redstag]

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I had exactly the same problem with mine when I rebuilt the engine. No wearmark on the crank as it had been reground and I couldn't see anything else wrong with the crank or the seal.

I did consider fitting a speedi-sleeve as I thought maybe the regrind had made the journal smaller enough to affect the seal. In the end i bought another standard seal from a different supplier (looked exactly the same though) and fitted that.A bit of a gamble as it's such a pain of a job.

Fortunately, the leak hasn't reappeared and I have done over 30,000miles since fitting it.



Pete

[Arbman Al]

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Hi Pete,
Can you let us know who you bought the first seal from and also the second replacement?

Thanks.....Al