oil leak

[Paul V]

I appear to have a oil leak from the back of the engine, I can see where its coming from but it getting on the exhaust to make a lovely smell, I’ve found a bit of a puddle on the garage floor, its definitely engine oil. Are there any common places they leak from? Any if so how should I go about fixing it? Its seems to get worse when I drive it hard. I will try to have a look at the weekend but any tips would be helpful.

[Paul V]

I have a oil leak from my S2, it seems the exhaust has hit the sump and it must have cracked it, I have checked the drain plug and its not coming from there, it drips onto the exhaust, does anyone know if these can be changed with the engine in place?

[muley]

I can't answer your question, but there was a thread about this a few weeks back (and I can't remember the final answer..). The reason for the sump change in the last thread was due to the sump having rusted. I inspected mine recently and it is VERY rusty (but not leaking, yet), I've plastered it with waxoyl and am hoping for the best. Good luck with it.

[muley]

see S2 sump removal from 2nd March. No final answer there, maybe time to resurrect the thread!

[johno]

If you have an oil leak from the back of the inlet manifold in front of the dizzy at the point where it starts to raise up the 'V' it will run down the side of the engine past the filter and drip onto the exhaust off the gearbox. Also if you have a leak from the back of either of the rocker covers it will do the same. These are both weak areas in the design of the engine and manifold gasket. The inlet manifold gasket at the point in front of the dizzy has a cork in lay for the flat section on top of the block. These deteriate over time and are a known oil leak area. Also where the gasket finishes at the top of the inlet manifold and cylinder head under the rocker cover gasket is also a weak area as the gasket often sits too high or too low and therefor creates another opportunity for leaks. As for removing the sump with the engine in place I believe from having looked round mine very closely and reading of the Haynes book etc etc that you can only remove the sump by removing the gearbox initially and then you would have to see whether you could thread it out past the cross member on the chassis. In reality I think the answer is 'NO'. My exhaust has also dented the underside of the sump although it hasn't appeared to have cracked it. It is very frustrating that the biggest reservoir of oil is being heated by the exhaust !! Especially when sitting in traffic... Ah well the joys of 'S' ownership. Just fitted a new water pump, all I've got to do now is the Brake Master Cylinder tomorrow evening. Just love it ! Cheers Mark

[muley]

Yes, it's a hoot isn't it? Just put a reconditioned rack on last week and I dont' tack the car from side to side driving down motorways!! This week - new rear brake cylinders (10.98 at Halfords!), relined brakes and new brake pipes as the old ones were overtightened into the cylinders - MOT Friday, so fingers crossed. oh, the joys of S ownership....

[Paul V]

Well I’m pretty sure that it coming from the bottom of the sump, I cleaned the whole thing, and then watched another drip form but all edges of the sump are dry so it can’t be running down from the top. Its only been doing it since I hit the speed bump at the end of my road, the council are sending through a claim form so you never know. Still at least with an S you can do a lot yourself.

[johno]

There isn't anything on an 'S' (V6) that I wouldn't do myself. Reflecting back on the work I have done to it, there isn't much I haven't done !!! I just let the pro's set it up for me, apart from that I've done/doing the rest myself. If I had had to pay for all the work to be done by anyone I would have got it back onto the road yet for paying labour bills. Cheers Mark

[steve parker]

quote:Well I’m pretty sure that it coming from the bottom of the sump, I cleaned the whole thing, and then watched another drip form but all edges of the sump are dry so it can’t be running down from the top

Had a similar oil leak from my S, cause was that engine mountings had dropped, and sump was rubbing on roll bar, causing pin hole in sump. Result was new mountings and sump, which were fiited by Peninsula Steve Parker

[Paul V]

Do you remember how much it cost?

[steve parker]

quote:Do you remember how much it cost?

Mountings £30 from Christopher Neil, sump and gasket £148 supplied by Penninsula, I think labour qouted was about £100. The bill does not split labour charge as also had a 12k service at same time. Steve Parker

[Paul V]

I think I have sorted the oil leak, it was coming from the bottom of the sump, where the exhaust is welded had hit the sump causing a small hole, I removed the exhaust, drained the sump and then gave it a clean. I used some JB Weld in it which seems to have done the trick bit I’ll have to wait and see. Also changed the oil filter and put some new oil in. I got Mobil 1 Motorsport 15/50 from Halfords, its recommended in the Steve heath book so should ok, but at £32.99 for 4 litres, oh well.