Sump gaskets

[SADLOTUS]

Hi all,
my sump is a bit leaky and oily and I,ve decided to replace the cork gasket with a Cometic one.
My question is:
When I dropped the sump the cork gasket came away with the sump.
There was a thin paper gasket left on the engine block face. What is this? I thought there was only the cork one between block and sump.
I've wiped it and left it.
Couldn't find a mention of it in the workshop manual. Don't have the parts book handy to check.
Suggestions please.

ta
Paul

[CBUEB1771]

Very curious, there should only be the pair of laminated cork gaskets running along the sides of the crankcase and the rubber inserts in the front and rear seal housings. If the cork gasket delaminated when you removed the sump I doubt it would have the appearance of paper.

[SADLOTUS]

Thanks CBUEB1771, I think you're right, it could be the cork gasket delaminating. I can't actually be 100% sure it's paper. But I feel reassured about scraping it off.
Let's see if anyone else replies before I get a chance to scrape.

[rgh0]

I have never seen any paper gaskets on the sump and I don't see why they would be used in conjunction with the cork gasket. I have seen cork gaskets delaminate when stuck to the block so that is potentially what you have.

cheers
Rohan

[7skypilot]

+1 for the Cometic sump gasket.

Using info from this wonderful forum, I used Cometic gaskets throughout the last engine build and have a pretty much leak-proof engine (or maybe I don't rev it enough?). I used a smear of silicone gasket on the sump gasket surfaces, weighted the sump gently and left it for a day or so to allow the silicone to cure before tightened the sump fixings. Oiling one surface prevents the gasket from sticking to both block & sump. Pretty much the same procedure works for the cam cover.

I also used Kent silicone gaskets for front and rear bearing seals, with a leak-proof result. The thickness of the Kent rear(?) seal was (carefully!) reduced on a grinder to fit the housing. A tiny dab of sealant at the junction of sump & bearing gasket ensured a good seal.

I now have a cork-free engine and (some) rusty sump bolts!

[SADLOTUS]

Yep.

Delaminated cork gasket.

Ahem... probably from the gasket before last, as the current/last gasket is complete on both sides.

7skypilot - I also have the Cometic gasket for the cam gasket. Looking forward to a leak free engine, does that mean I have to worry about rust taking a hold on the chassis?

Still have a few jobs on my list... like my lists.

[richardcox_lotus]

Crikey Paul, have you upgraded your garage space.....or what ????

[SADLOTUS]

Hi Richard, had it converted by a firm called 'TARDIS'.