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MG Midget and Sprite General - Mk II 1100 engine oil leak problem - need help

Hi everyone, Victor here. Just joined the forum and would like to seek assistance from the oracles of "MG Enthusiasts".
Just a bit of ourselves, our family have a MGB GT and a MG Midget Mk II and we hail from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Currently the MG Midget is undergoing restoration with our regular mechanic. The engine have been rebuilt by another workshop (which we have parted ways) and we've recently installed it into the car.
Unfortunately it is leaking really badly from the flywheel area. Upon further inspection we noticed there doesnt seem to be an oilseal to prevent oil from seeping out of this area.

Upon reference at the spare part catalog from Moss Brothers, there doesn't seem to be an oil seal around this section according to our mechanic.

I hope this doesn't sound like a rhetoric question but is there one to begin with? If there isn't that what could be the cause of this oil leak?

During the rebuild i've been given an impression by the mechanic, the main bearing cap which is closest to the flywheel doesnt seem to have an oil seal according to them.

Hence i'm wondering if anyone can assist us in this dilemma what could the problem be?

Assuming if there is such thing as an oil seal does anyone have a part number or better still pictures of this?

Anyway thanks so much in advance and i hope the question i've raised is not silly but we do feel quite desperate in finding a solution to the above as we just want to get this MG Midget going and actually enjoy driving it for once.

Thanks and best regards.
Cheers
Victor Cheong

Hi Victor, welcome!

Indeed, the sealing of the rear flange happens through a scroll seal, not by a rubber lip or felt seal. So one of the main reasons for this seal to leak is too much sump pressure. Asides from being overfilled or mechanical failures that is.

Does it leak with the engine running, or even when not running?

Another problem could be the sump sealing against the bearing. This is done by a piece of cork, which must be compressed while the sump bolts are tightened, so it appears to long when fitted to the sump prior to the mounting of the sump. In that case it will leak really badly.
Alex G Matla

Hi Victor,
if you haven't already got them then paper copies of the (factory) Parts Catalogue and (factory) Workshop Manual might be useful to you and mechanic and workshops

(Ref: 0002) - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Workshop_Manuals.html

(Ref: 0016) - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue_Parts_Lists_3.html

there is (was?) a DVD that contains both but it's off the Heritage list at the moment for some reason - http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-HMCC3009DVD?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=feed
N Atkins

I am wondering if the oil leak is the reason why you got rid of the original workshop?

There is not a engineered seal at the rear of the engine. All you have is a "scroll" on the crankshaft that "tends" to throw oil back into the engine. The efficiency of this scroll is determined by mainly the pressure inside the engine. (the scroll works with the rear main cap that is extended to perform this function.

However the pressure in the engine is determined by the engine breathers and how well the piston rings seal. With a new ngine generally the ring seal is poor until the engine "breaks in" so it can be that for the first couple of thousand miles oil leakage may be heavy. Also if the breathers and vacuum system are not up to scratch then oil leakage maybe heavy. Finally even with all this working fine drips from the rear seal are likely.

I think get the breathers and vac system orking fine and then get a good amount of mileage on the engine before worrying too much.

How much oil is leaking?

Just one more point oil may also leak from the rear of the sump as described by Alex it is sometimes difficult to destinguish between the 2


Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo

This thread was discussed on 06/11/2011

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