Sub-Total: $0.00
FAQ Archives: TD Oil Leak
| Dear John, How would you like to hear another MG adventure? I recently started up a TD that had the engine rebuilt several years ago. I went through the start-up sequence to make sure I had oil coming to the rocker, but was concerned that it took a long time to prime the pump and get oil to the upper engine. I started the engine for a short run without water in the radiator and was lucky I took this calculated risk. Within seconds oil began dripping from the right side of the engine block. Shut down and started searching for the leak. I don’t usually get excited about finding a leak with a new engine, it’s part of the process. However, this oil was coming out of the water drain spigot on the right side of the block. This boggled my somewhat frozen Alaskan mind. My first thought was cracked block or head allowing oil to seep into the water galleries. I pulled the cylinder head and began searching for answers. After considerable time, I noticed oil in the two banana shaped water galleries in the rear of the block. Since these match the two on the back of the head, I looked harder at the head. I did not see anything that would cause a leak until I removed the rectangular rear cover plate. It appears that the machine shop had removed the set plug that fills the rear oil gallery hole – oil was coming up at 50psi and turning towards the rear of the cylinder head where it flowed freely out of this 1/4 inch hole and down into the water gallery. Using a proper thread pitch bolt, I cut it to proper length and notched the end with a Dremel. Put this in as a plug and replaced the cylinder head. Now my problem was removing oil from the water gallery. First paint thinner was injected until it flowed freely from the water drain spigot, followed by hot soapy water, and finally flushed with just hot water. I have a well oiled water system! Overall, I was lucky on two counts. I had not filled the radiator so I didn’t wind up with water and oil circulating throughout the engine, and second, I had left the water drain tap open by mistake – otherwise we would have never noticed the oil dripping out of it. Is this the first time you have heard of this gigantic screw-up? Take care and thanks for your time. If ever in Alaska, stop by. Sincerely, George + + + + + + + + + + + Dear George, This is the second time I’ve heard this story. The first was with a fellow who didn’t have the water pump installed and was getting oil running from one of the bolt or stud holes where the pump mounts. He was certain he had a cracked block. I kept talking to him and eventually figured out the cause of the problem — same as yours! Good thing you had the drain open! John |
