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MG MGF Technical - Oil Leak (further to cracked Sump)

OK I checked and nothing wrong with Sump although I had left washer off

Leak is higher than that - i took engine cover off and couldnt see down side of engine but with engine running and looking up from underneath sump it seems to be coming from around the middle of timing cover where it is joined

what could be causing this?? headgasket is higher than that isnt it???

Any help appreciated

Head gasket and timing belt was changed 500 miles ago so I am going to get same garage to have a look as might be related to that

Cheers

Lee
L Taylor

I was thinking maybe it could be crank oil seal?? thats about the right height as far as I can tell as doesnt seem wet at top where cams are....

Lee
Lee

What else did you disturb when you changed the oil? Oil Filter ??
Geoff F.
G. Farthing

I didnt change the filter as oil and filter was only changed couple of weeks before as head gasket changed before bought car - I only changed oil as the invoice for the work only quoted £12 for the oil so i wasnt confident was top quality so put magnatec in for peace of mind!

I will check oil filter tonight though although seems to be coming from higher up than that...

Lee
Lee

the head gasket is quite a long way down as the head is quite a thick piece of metal. The head gasket is about 1" below the bottom of where the exhaust header meets the engine. Or put another way, its just above the alternator bracket
Will Munns

So it could be head gasket?? its quite a serious leak - enough to stop driving car it dribbles out like a tap with engine running! I didnt realise could leak just oil out of the block from head gasket i thought it always mixed water and oil (header and dipstick fine)

If it is head gasket at least the garage that did work prev will be liable to fix it!

Thanks again

Lee
Lee

Could be head gasket

take it in

Neil

Took car into Garage today - just spoken to them and they said its leaking from where dipstick filler tube joins the block - so hopefully thats it and nothing serious like i was expecting!! they will confirm for sure this afternoon

Does anyone know what its like to change seal or tube as they say they will need to order parts in but i'd rather do it myself if its not too difficult so the missus gets her car back sooner!

Thanks for all suggestions previously!

fingers crossed!

Lee
L Taylor

Hi Lee,

Relatively common for the gasket at the bottom of the dipstick tube to let go. Replacement is very straightforward, I'd be inclined to buy some gasket paper and cut it to shape, saves the aggro of ordering one from a dealer.
Mike Hankin

Thanks Mike I'll give that a go as she already been a week without it now!

Cheers

Lee
Lee

The dealer will pick the gasket off the shelf,

the dipstick runs down inside the pan, remove it first,

IIRC there is one bolt on the filler arrangement, remove

on the bottom of the filler arrangement is a clip, push upwards on the clip to release it form the hard pipe, then lift the canister off leaving the metal pipe on the engine.

the hard pipe is bolted to the engine near the top, as well as the bolts on the bottom, remove all and pull the pipe upwards to remove.
Will Munns

thanks again will

I'll pop into local dealer on way home see if they have on shelf and if not make my own

Sounds do-able so i'll give it a go!!

Cheers

Lee
Lee

Just an update

I got car back from Garage (where they had said it was related to oil filler tube) and i risked driving it back as only couple of miles

When i got back there was no oil leaking at all so i thought that is strange - took for another couple of drives and have been checking underneath since and no oil leaking... is it just me or do you think garage corrected something they had "overlooked" previously and were too embarrassed to admit it?? i've not done anything and leak seems to be completely gone now - only trouble is I wish they'd admit it as now i dont trust and am looking underneath everytime been for a drive!

damm mechanics!
L Taylor

There's no oil pressure behind that gasket, and it's only when you're really hoofing it that oil slops high enough to escape past the gasket. Also possible they've simply tightened the bolts, giving at least a temporary fix. For peace of mind I'd still replace the gasket, then at least there's no uncertainty.
Mike Hankin

This thread was discussed between 30/04/2007 and 14/05/2007

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