Oil Leak

[jonnyconcrete]

Hi All,

Newbie here....

I'm about to buy a 72 +2 s/130 and the owner tells me that a small amount of oil seeping from the front right hand corner of the head gasket is normal, is this true?

Clearly I'm a bit nervous about parting with my readies and taking the leap into what is for me a little unknown...

help

Stuart

[rocket]

Hi Stuart our engines tend to leak.Head gasket leaks tho are often a sign of a problem..be careful..

Ian.

[Frank Howard]

Stuart,

The head gasket ends before the timing chain chest. That's where the head widens out to house the timing chain. If the oil is coming out from the timing chest area, that is quite normal as the head is resting on both the block and the chest and it is difficult to get a good seal in this area because the head gasket goes on the block and a cork gasket goes on the timing chest. Oil can easily leak out because the surface of the block is not always perfectly level with the surface of the timing case. If the oil is coming from behind the timing chest where the head gasket ends, this could be a sign of the car needing a new head gasket or perhaps more. On the other hand, if is coming from this area, it could also be leaking from the timing chest. I'd put my money on a timing chest leak. This may be a moot point because to fix a timing chest leak, you would have to remove the head which means that you would have to replace the head gasket anyway. When I took my engine apart, about 2" of the cork timing chest gasket had broken off near the head gasket and was hanging on the inside of the timing chest. The oil was going past this breech, along the front of the head gasket, and down the right side of the block just as you described. Best of luck.

[jonnyconcrete]

Frank,

Many thanks for the comprehensive reply...I'm going to have a punt and collect the car this afternoon. I'll keep you all psted pm progress.

Stuart

[terryp]

Stuart
As Frank says probably the timing cover, I have a leak and have been trying to cure it for the last year or so, now I've given up and just drive the car!
When my famous water pump finally gives out that will be the time to fix all the oil leaks!
Good luck with the car and welcome to the forum

Terry

[alexblack13]

Hi All,
Yep I agree. Twin cam engines do tent to have the odd leak here n there.. They can be built oil tight but you need to know what you are at...

Not a big issue my friend (Normally!)

Hey terry.. How's that water pump doing? My one settled completely. Not a drop of water used on LeMans trip and bloody hot that was. Were you there?

Alex...

[terryp]

Alex
Not a drop???? I think its a temperature thing, when we had cold weather here it leaked a drip over night, the minute it warmed up ....nothing

I couldn't go to Le Mans as we have the gite business and Saturday is changeover day, but I have a plan for 2012!
Glad your trip went well. It should have with all those spares you were told to carry!

All the best
Terry

[persiflage]

Stuart,

this will not fix your problem, but as a stop gap you might try this stuff

http://www.laco.com/productDetail47.aspx

I have used it several times over the years, with reasonable results.

[69S4]

Strange things these water pumps! By all the diagnostic techniques (water stains on the spindle, can feel a bit of play in the bearing etc) I was convinced that mine wasn't long for the world this time last year but I haven't had to top up the water in over 12 months and the pump is still quiet and happily doing what it's supposed to. The repair kit I bought is still sitting on the shelf.

[alexblack13]

oopps doubled up..removed..AB

[alexblack13]

Oh you should not have said that 69s ! I do hope the car was not listening...

They are the limit though are they not. Keep that belt just tight enough to drive the pump and geni..

Have fun now..


AB...

[jonnyconcrete]

Persiflage...A man after my own heart...if the dam is leaking, stick your finger in it!

I like your style!

The car is a 1972 S/130 with silver over grey paint, in the Sheffield area...if anyone knows the car...shout up!

[jonnyconcrete]

[kstrutt11]

My water pump has also stopped leaking, water was brim level with the neck of the radiator cap yesterday and has been so for the last month or so, consequently I have put off replacing it until the winter, who knows, if it is still dry then it may be put off for even longer!

Kevin