Oil Leak

[Martin Higgs]

Hi Guys

Just after a bit of advise I was preparing the MK for Castle Combe on friday night usual thing fill with petrol check tyres then a blast down the ring road every thing was fine until I parked out side house to find a masive oil leak at the rear of the engine (pinto 2lt), I have only just finished rebuilding the engine after it siezed last summer I was advised that the sump gasket being cork would not need any sealer so I did not use any would this cause the leak? or is it more likely to be the rear main oil seal 

[Mark G]

It really could be either.  Fingers crossed for you that its only the sump gasket.  Cork gaskets aren't the best.  Before you go replacing it I'd get under there and make sure the bolts are all tight,  they can loosen after a while when the cork compresses.

[Martin Higgs]

Tightened bolts on friday night but still leaked so I removed the sump but you cannot see the oil seal very clearly so I have just ordered a new gasket set I will have to try that first with sealer before I go any further.

['The Gaffer']

Tightened bolts on friday night but still leaked so I removed the sump but you cannot see the oil seal very clearly so I have just ordered a new gasket set I will have to try that first with sealer before I go any further.

I too hope its just the sump gasket... good luck

[Bulldog Bri]

  Hope you get it fixed soon.

 

[Quarrycars]

Be sure to check the PCV system, you should have a slight negative pressure (2-3" H2O) in the crankcase at idle.

[Martin Higgs]

Sorry to show my ignorance but whats a pcv system?

[Quarrycars]

Positive Crankcase Ventilation; It's main purpose is to stop oil fumes being blown out into the air.  All modern engines (since the mid-60's) have it, there should be a connection to the intake manifold with a metering valve (PCV valve) in the line, the engine may or may not have an crankcase air intake, usualy on the valve cover.  By sucking the fumes out of the crankcase it helps reduce oil leaks and condensation in the engine.  If it is blocked pressure may have built up in your engine and blown the seal out.

[foggy]

Sorry to read about the oil  leak, I've got one too! but it drips slightly after a run. I was told the cause of the leak is, when the engine is at its normal working temperature,the crank shaft oil seal, slightly expands with the heat, hence the slight drip. I am going to run it like this,if it gets any worse I have to get a new seal put in. But at the moment,I will keep my eye on engine oil levels.

[Denzle]

Just posted an answer about the rear oil seals on the 2.0 pinto engine.
This seems to be a very common problem with these engines, as I have read many times on other forums as well as this one.

Only a suggestion, but maybe  when fitting a new seal you could try a drop of locktight thread seal.   Maybe that would be sufficiant to hold it in place.

Just a though, but I may be wrong.

As for the cork sump gasket.   All you need is a smear of grease over it before fitting. Thats sufficient

[Quarrycars]

Assuming it is a pressed steel sump I have to disagree a bit about grease on a cork gasket, grease is usfull to hold the gasket in place while you position the sump but tends to allow gasket to squeeze out as the bolts are tightened.  I prefer to put fit it clean and dry with a few spots of superglue to hold it in place.

[Denzle]

Thats the whole idea of putting smear of grease on the gasket.  This should only be a rub between the fingers,not covered in grease.   It wont affect the cork at all.
I have been doing this for 50 years with no problems.

Sorry to say but the Pinto 2.0 has a bad reputation for leaking at, or throwing the rear oil seal.   Mine included.