G'day fellas just a question I have recently put a motor in my car that was pulled out of one a few yrs ago because of a massive oil leak. I fixed the leak and put it in my car and now it's pumping oil out the breather in the rocker cover. Why would this be ?????

_________________
1964 smooth roof panel van
1967 Mk 1 X-Police cooper s
1970 mini k
1975 leyland

Maybe getting a lot of Blowby and blocked breathers. Have you done a compression test? The original oil leak may have been linked to crankcase pressure build up.

Original oil leak was from two stripped timing chain bolts.... Replaced the backing plate now it's good. No haven't done a compression test. There is next to no pressure coming out if the rocker cover cap.

_________________
1964 smooth roof panel van
1967 Mk 1 X-Police cooper s
1970 mini k
1975 leyland

How much oil has been pumped out. How long has the engine been run for.
A little oil can drain into the breather if the rocker cover is turned upside down but this usually when adjusting tappets and not from an engine sitting for a long time. Sorry I haven't more ideas.

It's an alloy rocker cover. Only went for its first drive about 40 mins today

_________________
1964 smooth roof panel van
1967 Mk 1 X-Police cooper s
1970 mini k
1975 leyland

Excessive blow by will most likely be the culprit if it hasn't done so before. This won't be as obvious at idle, but will do so under load.

What's the history of the motor, was it yours when it was in the car?

_________________
SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

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

I had an engine that use to fill the rocker up with oil - what eventually fixed it was new cam bearings and making sure the oil feed oil hole was offset to restrict flow a bit

It doesn't do it while it's idling I think only when under load so I don't see it.... Just the result..... Motor as in my dads mini b4 and was fine......

_________________
1964 smooth roof panel van
1967 Mk 1 X-Police cooper s
1970 mini k
1975 leyland

If it's getting that much oil up there I'd suspect the front cam bush is fitted in arse about.
This can result in a continuous oil feed to the valve gear, instead of a short pulse every cam revolution as per normal.

_________________
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.

We gave it a compression test and the results weren't good around about 90 psi in one and the others like 85 ect tipped oil in one cylinder gave it another test 125 so it's rings

Fix it properly- bore it and fit new oversize pistons & rings. Rings alone don't fix an A series for long, as you will find the bores are worn too.

_________________
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.

second that. I spent a couple of years chasing issues on a supposedly rebuilt engine (I bought it rebuilt). Don't doubt it had been re-ringed, but that's not the same as being rebuilt.
KB

_________________

Sorry to hear that your oil leak has now escalated to an expensive rebuild.

Thanks for all your help again guys. Thinking about retiring my daily and concentrating on my cooper s. That will take a good while though......

_________________
1964 smooth roof panel van
1967 Mk 1 X-Police cooper s
1970 mini k
1975 leyland

It might keep on going for a while. Have you thought of running a catch can for the oily fumes. I have had many cars that have needed a rebuild and gotten away with using them for quite some time until I had the time and money. Just check and top up the oil regularly and pull the spark plugs out and clean them when it starts to run rough.

You would be extremely lucky to get away with just a re-ring on an A-series. Almost every thing inside needs checking and replacing, cylinders wear out quickly, bearings usually need replacing, definitely a new oil pump is needed , gearbox has to be checked over as well, new seals and gaskets. While it is all apart you may want to drop a new clutch in it so that you don't have to go back in later. Don't forget to avoid the "more HP buzz" That will get real expensive.

Everyone that's rebuilt an A series will tend to more than actually needed for piece of mind. The worst thing would be to give it a budget rebuild then 5000km down the track the part you didn't replace blows up.

My opinion is to drive it into the ground while you spend your money on getting the Cooper S on the road.

Keep us posted on the progress of the Cooper S.