Hey all

Wondering if anybody could help me with this.

Noticed that my 998 was leaking oil from the back of the engine. With a quick hand check i roughly located the leak near the head meeting the block. My assumption, head gasket.

Took the head off and noticed the gasket is in reasonable state. When doing a new check with my trusty hand it seemed like it was a little lower down the block, had better access. What would leak from there?

Also if its the head gasket i would like to clean the top of the valves and pistons. Has anybody got a suggestion on doing this without damaging the cylinder walls?

Thanks

There is a oil feed on the back corner of the block near cylinder 1 (thermostat end) which can leak through the head gasket and down the block. Is this the end you reckon it came from?

Careful which gasket you use when putting it back on. the copper ones are hopeless, they will leak from the get-go. They're not what they used to be. Payen head gaskets are around 25 bucks and do a superb job.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

The leak is probably coming from the tappet chest covers.......standard.
Easier to get to if the inlet/exhaust manifold isn't in the way.
Any reason why you want to "clean up" the valves and the pistons

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMkVq1jRGU

From around the mechanical fuel pump? If fitted.

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

It is most likely from the tappet covers. The cork gaskets can shrink with age and may not have ever been changed. My own 1100 was leaking from the tappet covers for a long while till I eventually got sick of it!

It can also leak from the fuel pump but this is less likely but can still happen.

I think mine is leaking from here too. Can the gaskets be done with the head/manifolds in place?

I would pull the manifolds off to do it but the head can stay in place.

Depending on the manifolds I suppose you may be able to squeeze them in and out with the manifolds on but it is not worth the effort.

and dont over tighten the single bolt after replacing said gasket,overtightening tends to force the gasket out of shape,thus making it leak even worse. i use to glue mine on first with good quality contact cement.cheers andy

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First you get the money,then you get the power,then you get the Mini.

That is kind of what I do too.
I glue one side to the tin cover with contact adhesive, then I use Permatex no3 to seal the other side to the block.

our 1800 was leaking from the side plates on the weekend and we removed them both, put new rubber seals in, glued them to the tin covers with 5 min arelldyte then refitted them


1.5hours later we have an 1800 that does not leak as much oil as it did before

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120bhp with 450kg just fun waiting to happen

We were prob. drunk when we set it up last and thought this will be a good idea