Oil leaking and fixing it...

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Nick Name - 12 May 2005 08:28 GMT

Hello group!

As a proud Dutch 1996 Mini Kensington owner I drive around when
the weather permits. Until recently no problems!
Since last week the car is leaking oil, multiple drops only during
and shortly after driving.
As the leaking occurs on the top half of the block, it stops when the
oil sinks in the block after the car is parked. Yet there is a problem
how to solve the leaking.
In the Haynes manual is said to tighten the two bolts of the rocker cover
but not too tight.... what is "not too tight"???????
I mean, chances are that the block leaks from there, but will I damage
a gasket or the block when I tighten the bolts?
The bolts keep on tightening, and resistance doesn't grow.

Anybody please advise!

Thanks,

Muesli

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Ryan Shaw - 12 May 2005 10:48 GMT

You are right in that the resistance of the bolts will not increase greatly,
as you are effectively squashing the cork gasket between the rocker cover
and the head. What i normally do if i have this problem is tighten the two
bolts another full turn each, run the engine and see if oil is still
leaking. if there is still a leak, tighten 1 more turn etc until the leak
stops. you will not be damaging the block or head at all
Happy spannering
Ryan

> As a proud Dutch 1996 Mini Kensington owner I drive around when
> the weather permits. Until recently no problems!
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> Muesli

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Nick Name - 12 May 2005 11:38 GMT

Hahahaha, thanks Ryan. I will do that and see.

Muesli

> You are right in that the resistance of the bolts will not increase
> greatly, as you are effectively squashing the cork gasket between the
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>>
>> Muesli

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Andrew Murray - 12 May 2005 20:45 GMT

> Hello group!
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> a gasket or the block when I tighten the bolts?
> The bolts keep on tightening, and resistance doesn't grow.

If the leak doesn't stop when you tighten the two rocker cover nuts then the
best thing to do is to get a new gasket.

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Doogs - 13 May 2005 11:02 GMT

> If the leak doesn't stop when you tighten the two rocker cover nuts then the
> best thing to do is to get a new gasket.

Did mine a few weeks back after 10 years of oil loss. The old gasket was
compressed and split into 3. Part stuck in place. £1 later and all is
well. The engine got a good clean up the motorway in the rain with the
grill off and now i wont get so dirty fixing it!

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John Manders - 15 May 2005 10:14 GMT

New rocker cover gasket needed.
Replace the sealing rubbers around the bolts as well.
An alloy rocker cover helps here as it's a lot more rigid than the standard
pressed steel thing.

John

> Hello group!
>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> Muesli

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