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MG MGA - Gearbox Leak


I know they all leak but what is "normal" leakage?

I have driven my 1959 about 1200 miles this summer and started with a full gearbox. I checked it today and I am at the bottom of the stick.

My garage floor is a toxic waste zone.
Jeff Bennett

You are way past normal. My personal deffinition of normal is a few drops here and ther on a clean floor after a long run. I haven't lost as much oil as you have in 25k miles.
J Heisenfeldt

Jeff

Sounds like the front oil seal needs replacing.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Slobbering all over sounds more like engine leaks, unless you know the location of a specific leak in the gearbox. Gearbox front seal drips from bell housing, but so does a bad leak from rear of engine.
Barney Gaylord

Does it really matter? Either way you need to pull the engine to repair so I guess I would do all the seals anyway. Something to look forward to for the winter!

The engine is not loosing much oil - maybe 1 quart total over 1500 miles.....or IS that a lot of oil?

It seems be collecting on the cross bar that runs under the back of the engine and then dripping down onto the floor.
Jeff Bennett

With a gearbox oil level that keeps dropping it is most likely the gearbox front cover seal, but before you remove the engine make sure that it is not the rear gearbox seal. Oil from the rear seal can run along the bottom of the gearbox, towards the front, and then drop off from the lowest point. This can make it look like a front seal leaking. Make sure the oil is coming out of the drain hole for rear engine and front gearbox leaks.
If fitting a new seal in the gearbox front cover you should use a centering tool.

Mick
Mick Anderson

The amount lost from the engine is not excessive, may be a combination of leaking and burning some oil. There is no seal on the rear of the engine so you are limited on reducing leakage. Pressure in the crankcase from blow by from the rings or restricked crankcase breather systm can make this worse as the pressure can help force oil out the rear of the engine.
J Heisenfeldt

This thread was discussed between 09/07/2008 and 11/07/2008

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This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.