hi all im having this little problem of oil all over my clutch i had this problem before due to a worn spacer ring (i think thats its name) anyway i pulled her apart and put a ring in leaving 1 or 2 tho tops end play on the crank (down from 4 or7 or something stupid) now im starting to find oil again. the point being could my oil be thinning to the point its passing the oil seal onto the clutch?

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Enjoy Chris

Two questions first - what brand and grade of oil do you use; and how long (kms) since it's been changed?

valvoline 20 50 about too long maybe 2000miles plus but can oil thin that much

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Enjoy Chris

Valvoline 20/50 should be fine for 2000 miles or more without thinning out at all.
if it's really thinning out, I'd check your mechanical fuel pump if it has one. When the pump diaphragm gets a hole in, it pumps petrol into the oil. This thins it out bigtime... not to mention ruining engine bearings and other parts and causing a potential fire hazard.

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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.

very interesting point i didnt think of that ill look into it cause i have had some missing fuel lately ill change the oil tommoz and see whaty i can smell

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Enjoy Chris

Sounds like you need to replace the oil seal...or fix the amount of whip you are getting from your crank.

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"Show me the Mini!"

i did that not even sex months ago and i checked oil the oil holes in the crank to make sure they are supplying

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Enjoy Chris

sorry new zealand accent there (oddly since im from melbourne)

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Enjoy Chris

Pull the dipstick when the engine is cold. Does the oil just run off? - rub some between your finger and thumb - what does it smell like?

Not meaning to be unkind, but calling the clutch oil seal a "spacer ring" hints of a lack of understanding of Mini mechanics. Did you protect the seal faces while reinstalling the drop gear case? If not, you may have damaged the seal when reinstalling it - which means all that effort did nothing to fix the original problem.

Cheers, Ian

the seal was changed and protected during installation that isnt what im calling the spacer ring thingy (yes lack of mechanical terms and knowledge) i mean a ring which fits on the engine side of the U shaped locking gadget on the end of the crank

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Enjoy Chris

Do you have open air breathers?

If there's petrol in there it should smoke out te breathers yeah?

I've experienced smoking breathers, but due to having the car run mega rich and fuel passing the rings (can't be good for the rings!), I dumped the oil quite soon and refilled with new oil.

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1964 Morris 850, 1330 Supercharged - 81.8hp atws.
1975 Leyland Mini S 1100S powered - Nice and reliable.
1977 Leyland Mini LS - Project LS-T

OK, sorry about that. Have you noticed the level on the dip stick rising instead of falling (or staying the same)?

As you ask about thinning oil, do you have an oil pressure gauge?

Cheers, Ian

im running slightly rich nothing majour altho i have been choking fairly heavy to get a start on early mornings but my oil level has still been dropping at the same rate ill give the oila a change now and let you know thanks for all the advice

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Enjoy Chris

do you have any breathers on the motor if not it will pick a weak spot ot let oil out and usually the rear seal is the 1st to go.
also is the oil traveling up under the front bush on the primary gear cos if it is then you will get oil on the nose of the crank and on the clutch plate unlike if its coming form the seal then it will go onto the back on the clutch pklate, either way it still slips and causes fustration to get it right.

also make sure the spring has not come off the back off the oil seal (unfortunatly the only way is to take the seal out) but if you getting oil contamination its the only way to do it right and the next is did yo replace the plate or just wash it cos as soon as they get hot again they will start to slip (if you have any decent heat or power running thru it)

hope it makes a bit of sense.
(not a kiwi even tho i live hear)

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i do have a breather on one of the plates that cover the push rods at the back ive been told they should be opened to 2 tho so i left them at that also the normal rocker cover vaccum

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Enjoy Chris