Club 80-90 Forums

Hi. new user, first time poster - looking for a quick bit of info before i take my non mechanical self to the garage.

I have a pretty bad oil leak. I've attached a pick of where the leak is coming from, you'll see there is a bolt missing. I'm wondering if there's a gasket under that plate maybe? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Dean

thats called tinware and covers your pushrod tubes,

The leak is probably a pushrod tube seal fail. take the cover off if you can ( one more bolt and two nuts from the exhauset studs) and inspect further. Also possible it's a crank seal fail or oil pressure switch leak.

To replace pushrod tubes is a head off job but luckily you can buy telescopic tubes to fit without taking the haed off. They are expensive so see if it's just one leaking. To fit a telescopic tube you need to remove the rocker shaft and the relevant pushrod but it's easy.

http://www.machine7.com/product.php?xPr ... 8d158119bc

Excellent. Thanks very much. I'd have no clue how to do the work but I'll at least sound knowledgable in the garage. I've taken it off my Mums hands to try and get everything sorted so she can use it hassle free.

Any idea what sort of costs to expect for those scenarios?

it depends on where you take it some garages will rip you off others are more honest. Some just are not interested on working on old vehicles.


If it's a push rod tube I could fit a telescopic one in an hour on my drive. Back street garage labour is abour £40 and hour where I am.

Same for pressure switch leak, crank seal is more involved you would see this as a leak from the centre being swept back around the sides by the wind so if it's only on one side probably not this.

put your location up and somebody may be able to reccomend a sympathetic garage.

Thanks again.

Just having a nosey in the Haynes and now see what you're talking about. I've been pricing them up -£15 for standard plus £1.80 for the 2 seals, £28 for telescopic so not a massive difference and if this cuts down a little on labour charges then it seems the obvious choice.

If there was a problem with the cylinder head itself I would have oil in my coolant is that right? Could the same be said for the push rod failure? Sorry for the novice questions, I've only had the van since Sunday!!

Fitting a standard p/r tube involves removing the whole head THAT'S why the telescopic ones are quite expensive. Also to add to Mr Itchyfeet's summary it's not always just a matter of 'removing a couple of exhaust studs or nuts' as they very frequently break off in the head

Good luck.

Ian

P.S. it won't be a problem with the head, the p/r seals are a known failing.

If I do manage to get the tinware off myself will I be able to see the bottom of the push rods from there and suss out if there's one leaking?

dpbasnett wrote:If I do manage to get the tinware off myself will I be able to see the bottom of the push rods from there and suss out if there's one leaking?

Possibly, otherwise clean it off and run the engine.

you will see this...

get it running and if it's not too dirty it may be possible so see where it's coming from, but the wind may have thrown the oil everywhere, if so clean it up and you will then see fresh oil leaking after running for a bit. Ok to drive around with the covers off for abit seen vans with them missing.

The leak is definitely running from behind it. Towards the left hand side. Hoping it's just the one. It is leaking a lot thoug. It went through ten maybe twelve litres between london and glasgow. It was blowing back at the exhaust amd smoking a bit which didn't help. If you were a gambling man what % certain would you be on this being a rod issue given where the leak is?

I'm looking in haynes and wondering if I could do this myself or whether I just suck it up.

Ahhh brilliant. Thanks for the pic that helps no end. I'll try and nick a ramp and see if I can get that off.

This sites great. Thanks a lot guys.

Woukd I need to drain all the oil out before attempting to remove the rods?

I'd put 95% on it being a push rod tube seal, I would drain the oil not 100% sure if it comes above the tube seal or not but play it safe.

We have a Brucey Bonus gents, it was the oil pressure switch. £4. Ordered.

Thanks for all your help. Your guidance has likely saved me a chunk at the garage.

Now that's a good outcum