BAD NEWS...oil leak!!

[danny_duke01]

I did a rally sprint in Weston-super-mare recently and since been back,noticed car has been leaking oil quite badly...mecahnic took the car yest and has come back and said it's leaking from the rear crankshaft oil seal.
I believe it's a pig to replace as it's gear box out etc...he said to do it sooner rather than later before it's leaks on to the clutch...

[AussieM20]

I did a Track day today, and also have an engine oil leak! Is wet around the rear main area, but not confirmed if it is rear main seal. How old is your engine? Mine is original 22yrs old 252000KM so mine may be blow by which may result in an engine rebuild or M30 or M50 conversion.

Good luck sorting yours out.

Greg

[danny_duke01]

Hi Greg,
Yes mine is original too...123k miles on the clock!!
I've been quoted £150 to change the seal,so that's not too bad....

[bmw1066]

I have the same problom with my one, It's started to afect the clutch a little as well but not very offen gear box out and fly wheel for that I thimk. I'm changing the engien for a 2.3 I have.

It's alway's had a oil leak but lot's wors since doing track day's LOL

[Andy325i]

Hi Greg,
Yes mine is original too...123k miles on the clock!!
I've been quoted £150 to change the seal,so that's not too bad....

£150 is a good start for an M50 conversion

Or spend less than a day doing it and save £130

[StuBeeDoo]

Check the sump gasket first.
I had a mega-leak from the back of mine, and assumed it was the rear seal.
Wrong! It was the back of the sump joint.

[Brianmoooore]

Check the sump gasket first.
I had a mega-leak from the back of mine, and assumed it was the rear seal.
Wrong! It was the back of the sump joint.

[jbh]

as Stuart and Brian says.. check the rear of the sump. at the rear theres a shoulder that goes onto the bottom of the bellhousing remove this and check the sump bolts above this as these can be very easily overlooked when an oil leak is present.

I've had the same problem on a 320 touring that I ran for a year topping it up with oil because the "rear seal" was away and it wasn't until i removed the lump to fit a 2.5 that i realised it was the sump..

[AussieM20]

While on the subject, and concidering these cars are being used on tracks with high G force loadings that cause the engine oil to be forced up the side, front and rear of the engine, is it worth putting in some type of Sump Windage tray to keep the oil down, or do M20 sumps already have a satifactory design?

Mine may well be the sump gasket too, i recall seeing some of it protruding and it is cork, i think the factory M20 sump gaskets are hard cardboard type.

Regards
Greg