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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Rear Oil Drip

I started my '66 1098 this weekend and I'm happy to report that it runs great. However, I have an oil drip out the rear of the engine. The car is still on stands, with the front about 8 or 9 inches higher than the rear of the car (the rear tires are bearing load on drive-off stands, while the front is on standard jack stands). Is this to be expected with the car stationary in this postion? I was really concerend about oil leaking with the "mechanical seal" design on this engine, not sure if its unique to pre-1275... there is no traditional seal around the rear of the crank shaft. I appreciate your comments.

Thanks,

Trey
TS Smith

Also a 1966 1098 owner of a sprite and my engine does have drips of oil comming out of it is it a big amount or minor as my uncle used to have a morris minor traveler and most other people do say an a series engine it is usual to drip slightly. if it is a slight oil leak then some might say leave it save ending up having to do more work or if its not broke dont fix it but im not that technical.
D Sartain

I've noticed "much" dialogue on this subject on different BBS and have learned a lot of theory... mechanical scroll seal, necessary negative crankcase pressure, PCV, importance of "eye-brow" alignment during assembly, and be mindful that the machine shop didn't "machine" the oil seal journal on the crankshaft.... I'm hopeful the easy items solve the problem as it happens at high RPM, after several minutes of operation.
TS Smith

If you have slight drips now , you might find that as the oil comes up to running temp it will drip more.

The level of your car as U describe is probably not contributing to the drip.....unless you have too high an oil level in the oil pan.

Venting is an issue on all A motors ..the early ones (pre smog) need about 1 sq. inch of vent hose at a minimum. The later cars with PCV need a well operating PCV system.

If you had the engine apart, and the rear main bearing cap off and the scroll piece also, you might have not set the scroll piece correctly back on the main cap. Using a straight edge down the main cap bores you need about .004" clearance for the scroll. Normal leakage is about a drop at each stop of the motor.
J. Blow

A slight side track
But are those 66 midgets beautifull or what !!!

"66 1380
Onno Könemann

Thanks J, I'm concerened as I didn't specifically focus on the placement of the "scroll piece" on reassembly, just installed it and torqued it down. Good chance that its off. I have ensured the PCV system is clean, with a new (hopefully good) PCV valve. I'll see if it improved when I run it again. I appreciate the feedback.

Onno, the '66 is as good as it gets!

Trey
TS Smith

TS Smith
Welcome to the official rear seal(or lack of) oil leak club!!
Rob Newt

This thread was discussed between 08/08/2011 and 10/08/2011

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.