Long story short, just put together a hopefully quieter gearbox for my mini, and while the engine was out I took the opportunity to do some other jobs.

The car has always had a really annoying oil leak from the fan end of the engine, turns out it seems it was the timing case seal loose in the timing case. When I pulled it apart I could push the old one in and out with my fingers. The engine is a 1275 from a late moke, the one with a timing chain tensioner.

The new seal I had purchased was similar, black rubber (neoprene?) on the outside was the same as the old one.

It too I could install with my by finger pressure only, but putting it in dry it sort of stuck there, but I wasn't happy. Our local mini spares people all seemed to stock the same seal, so no alternatives there.

I put the engine back together using the new seal I had bought locally hoping for the best, but after a couple of short drives it looks like the leak is back.

While it was apart I even toyed with the idea of putting in a used steel backed seal I had from another timing case.

Back in times gone by the seals with metal casings were a firm fit in the the timing cover, my question is, where can effective seals that don't come loose the still be obtained? Or maybe the timing case I have is just a piece of carp.

Cheers

Brian

I always put the plastic/rubber coated timing cover seal in dry. If you use gasket cement, they slide out.
To avoid seal leaks, fit the crank pulley to line the seal up, THEN tighten the screws.

You should not be able to push the seal in dry with your fingers. If you can, bin the cover and go find another.

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Thanks Doc, yes I use the pulley to centralise the cover.

I'll see how it goes, the leak is gone again, one of the breathers was blocked, maybe crankcase pressure pushed the oil out past the seal.

Just a question on timing covers, I think I read somewhere that the non tensioner timing covers will interchange with the tensioner ones if the tensioner is left out, can anyone confirm this?

Brian

From memory there is one bolt hole in the wrong spot.
The Australian made non tensioner cover had the seal push in from the rear so it couldn't blow out.

Replacement tensioner covers should be easily available from the import crowds. Bin it and find another.

_________________
SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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