Oil leak advice needed.

[Wiredone2]

Hello there,

Hopefully someone can help, unfortunately don't have loads of experience with the oily bits although I have been known to get my hands dirty, am considering this job myself, the question is, is it possible or should I take it to a professional?
I have a 1991 Autosleeper with a 1900cc water cooled petrol engine, I was aware of an oil leak when I bought it, been informed that its a seal located in an area only effected whilst draining back to the sump when idle so not serious if I keep it topped up. When fully topped up and then stopped after a run oil can be seen dripping from the bottom of the engine, this stops after a short while, the more oil in the engine the bigger the pooI, light splatters can also be seen on the tailgate and bumper after a run. It is using ruffly half to three quarters of a pint per tank of fuel, not much but annoying all the same. Engine runs really well, temperature solidly sits just below half way all the time and she purrs nicely with no smoke.

Can anyone take a stab at exactly what seal this is and tell me how difficult it would be to fix? Assuming the head will need to come off and therefore is it an engine out job? Or should I just keep an eye on the amount of oil it uses and just get used to topping it up? Am assuming though it will get worse over time? Was also wondering if there is a good book or web resource for this engine?

Thanks guys.

Pic of engine incase you need it for identification. Can provide more if needed.
http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp21 ... nk4eby.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[itchyfeet]

What we need is a picture of where the leak is coming from, otherwise it's all guesswork.

Best way to home in is to get under there with some, paraffin/petrol/gunk degreaser, clean it up and when you next drive the source will be easier to see.

[Wiredone2]

Ok great will do!

[Wiredone2]

OK have cleaned and taken these shots, hope these can shed some light? realise it could be difficult. I ran the engine for a while and stopped it, nothing at all for at least 5 mins then the leak started.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp21 ... ppgerb.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp21 ... ppwsun.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp21 ... doca5u.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Wiredone2]

Last pic is of the top so you can see there is no sign of oil leak.

[kevtherev]

A few of us have noticed that filling the oil up to the top mark results in it being lost by other means to around the middle of the marks..In a couple of tanks.
Then the level does not move.
I'm not saying this is the issue, just saying what others have observed

[ghost123uk]

Well if it's coming from there it is likely to be from the pushrod tubes. Though you need to make sure it's not coming from higher up and running down to where it is dripping. Changing pushrod tubes on these motors is not a beginners job. Also those rocker box covers look to be in a bit of a state, as do the retaining clips. It is possible the oil is coming from there due to corrosion and lack of tension in those retainers. First thing I would do is buy new covers, clips and gaskets and fit them. It might be the cure

If you do need to take off those pushrod tube protection covers, note that the nuts and bolts (some of which hold the exhaust pipes on) are prone to snapping at the best of times, and yours don't look like they have been touched for aeons. If the ones that hold the exhaust do shear off, you are looking at a much bigger job. Loads of heat, so they are actually smoking is the trick, along with loads of PlusGas (NOT WD40!!) I find even a normal hand held cannister blow torch is insufficient, the precise and fierce heat from a welding torch much more effective. I take mine to my local T25 friendly place for stuff like that (largely because I don't have a welding kit or a hydraulic ramp !!)

[Wiredone2]

OK thats great, thanks for getting back. KTR I will check again when the oil is lower and see if it levels out at this point. Thanks Ghost pretty sure its not coming from higher up, checked all round the area but also have noticed oil coming from the bottom of the pushrod protection covers as in photo does this confirm your suspicion?.

I have noticed quite a lot of corrosion around the engine bay area the rockers included , both sides in fact. The engine itself was refurbed by the previous owner but these were obviously not replaced, have a feeling i'll have a fair bit of work needed for the MOT. But thats another story. Where is the best place to get these parts, Brickworks?

Does anyone know of a good T3 friendly garage in South Devon? I'm sure this sort of question gets asked a lot! Think I could do with getting it up on a ramp and having a pro take a look at the extent of the work needed. Have a feeling i'm going to be forging a new friendship with a garage. Tempted to give the rockers a go though. All good fun

http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp21 ... tlyidn.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Wiredone2]

So would push rod tubes be consistent with oil loss only when engine is off?

[Roydini]

It's possible that you are losing a little bit of oil all the time, but you only notice it when stopped because of the puddle on the drive. I have been running my van for 6 years with slightly leaky pushrods with no adverse effects. Maybe it has cost me an extra £20 in oil over the years but that's it. If it is the pushrods then you can change these with the engine in situ if you use the telescopic-type replacements, but a full set of these won't give much change from 200 quid. Assuming the oil loss isn't too bad, I would just put up with it until you/the garage next refurb the engine and then replace with proper tubes on the bench. That's what I keep telling myself I'm gonna do

In any case, I'd follow Ghosts' advice and get the pushrod covers off, clean the area up with good degreaser and that should confirm to you if the leak is from the pushrods or not. Once confirmed, either way, stick some new covers, seals and spring clips on for good measure.

https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php/ ... etrol.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php/ ... asket.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php/ ... 3-wbx.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Wiredone2]

Thats sound advice, good to hear that keeping my eye on the oil level will be OK for now at least. I will get it to the garage and get those pushrod covers off, confirm the leak and replace the rockers and seals.

Brilliant guys, once again