MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

TR parts and Triumph parts, TR bits, Triumph Car Spares and accessories are available for TR2, TR3, TR3A, TR4, TR4A, TR5, TR6, TR7, TR8, Spitfire and Stag and other TR models are available from British car spares and parts company LBCarCo.

Triumph TR6 - Engine Leaking Oil - Should I buy

I've been looking to buy another TR6 and found one I like but I just found out that it has a leak at the found end of the engine. The owner says that the oil looks like it is coming from teh lower part of the timing cover or the front engine block seal. The engine was rebuilt recently. how many problems can I be getting myself in with a leak at the frontend of the engine. The car does run good on the plus side. Of course it won't for long without oil!

Thanks
Mike
MBF Firnstahl

Check out http://www.britishv8.org
this will help you with the possibility of a swap.. i am doing one now. I am using a buick 215 c/i motor.
Robert Ring

Mike
Depending on how bad the leak is I wouldn't be put off, I think most of them leak to one degree or another from round about there.
Ron
R. Algie

Mike,
When I bought my car 3+ years ago it leaked like oil was free..some was from the timing area but most of it was from the oil pan which I re-sealed and it's been fine ever since.I also had to replace the rear diff seals as they leaked badly. I park on a heavy vinyl tarp and after a drive I get a 1 or 2 drops of oil about the size of a nickel, it only leaks when hot. If the car your looking at is nice and solid and the leak is minimal don't let that stop you from buying it.
Charlie
Charlie Ballard

Mike--The aluminum sealing block that spans the block beneath the #1 main bearing is leaking. This is not a big deal to fix yourself (did this last winter). If that is all that appears wrong, I'd negotiate a lower price and go for it.

Rick O.
Rick Orthen

Swap out a rebuilt TR6 engine with a V8 because of a little leak????

If that is the thing to do then I should have swapped out my whole car!

Mike, if you like it buy it!
Rick C
Rick Crawford

The oil leak is the least of your worries - it is easily fixed with some gaskets, silicone and new seals. Check the frame for rust - that's the thing that will get extememly expensive if you buy the wrong car!

John Parfitt
73 5 Speed.
John Parfitt

Thanks for the info. Recieved more information from the owner. Car will leak a quart an hour when warm. I'm waiting on pictures of the leak area. the frame is good except for one spot about six inches from end of frame behing the right rear wheel. Frame is solid in all other areas (so I've been told and the pictures look good)

Although I like the new engines for some odd reason it would just bother me not to have the TR engine and I also want the overdrive.

I'm also really intrigued with the superchargers (John Parfitt) that some owners have installed. I have owned a TR6 and a TR4 and have always thought the cars could use another 50 or so ponies! But right now I will settle for a mild sunny day, no top and the sweet sound of a TR6. I owned one in college and would drive it back home without a top in the winter (too cheap to put a new convertible top on it and left the hardtop at school) just wearing a hat and skiing gloves - I'll never forget those trips - I think of them with warm thoughts...
MBF Firnstahl

Mike

Quart an hour is a pressure leak. Have looked at before you buy. No car "drips" a quart an hour..

Frame rot on bottom tail left means there is lots more were the water runs down into the center. Eastern cars rot most at right drivers side. Problem is trailing arm mounts and center section. May be OK but that tail area is the first to dry?

I'm doing a total frame off currently and if you want I can send pictures of what snow driving does to TR frames in the east. Not pretty. Just let me know. Post E-mail with an obvious blanker for the trolls.

Have the car checked by an experienced TR guy. And I mean experienced!

Everybody knows old cars? Yah right.
Bill
Bill Brayford

Mike
A quart an hour? the car would be leaving a trail of oil on the road when he's driving it!! If that's right it sounds serious, you would have thought anyone selling a car would have done something about it first.
I would take Bill's advice and get an expert, it sounds dodgy
Ron
R. Algie

Thanks everyone. The part I'm really worried about is the frame and now I'm really concerned. At the right price the engine can be fixed but I do not want to worry about the frame (engine can be fixed many ways especially at the right price). Thanks for the advise.
MBF Firnstahl

This thread was discussed between 26/08/2004 and 28/08/2004

Triumph TR6 index