Crankcase oil leak

[sjmtlewy]

When the engine is on (1.9dg) oil drips from the bottom of my crankcase gasket (right next to the sump plug, but from the seal, not the plug). Is this something to be worried about and is there anything I can do about it?

I have read this can be caused by a blocked crankcase breather. Any ideas as to where I can find the breather on this engine and how I can clean it?


Cheers,
Tim

[kevtherev]

The crank case breather in on top of the engine found easily if you have a haynes.

it's black and tall

there's no gasket the split is joined with sealant

[T'Onion]

The crank case breather in on top of the engine found easily if you have a haynes.

it's black and tall

there's no gasket the split is joined with sealant

Sorry Kev but theres a big 'O' ring in the bottom of the housing that seals it to the block not sealant or do you mean the engine block ?

anyway , undo the 4x10mm nuts ,should have small washers under the nuts so be carefull not to drop them down into the engine
the 'black tower' can be pulled apart , clean them up and replace carefully (washers and nuts) ,also check the breather pipe that goes to the air intake on top of the carb. they get old and become soft.

[Ian Hulley]

I think Kev means there's no gasket between the crankcase halves

Ian.

[sjmtlewy]

So is the breather a good candidate for causing the problem?

[ghost123uk]

May I suggest you get a better idea of where the oil is coming from.

Is it coming from around the sump plug or does it look like it is coming from the join between the 2 crankcase halves ?
The latter is unlikely (though not impossible I suppose)
It is more likely it is coming from somewhere else and is running down and then dripping off near the sump plug.
Give the whole area a good clean with a rag and paraffin or similar and try to locate exactly where it is coming from.

I bet you wish you had a vehicle hoist like they have in garages, I know I often wish I had access to one at times like this !

It will do no harm to clean out the black tower breather (by the alternator) but may not fix the problem.

[Ian Hulley]

If the breather's choked up the pressure relief valve may be operating and allowing oil to seep out. These have also been known to leak at times.

Ian

[sjmtlewy]

It looks like its coming from the join, but I suppose it is possible that it is tracking down from somewhere - it is the lowest point.

I'll have a closer look at where its coming from when I'm home and have some time. I'll also do the breather at the same time

[clartsonly]

not your push rob tubes?

or

can you see if it is running out from between the gearbox and engine, in which case it will be you crankshaft seal, which is only about 90p to replace.... but takes hours or pain and suffering and breakages to get to, if indeed you can even manage to get past the flywheel.

[Red64]

Just seen this post - what's the size of the o-ring required? Alternatively, what's the part number (if applicable) and a suitable supplier?

Thanks