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Engines ain't SUPPOSED to leak???!?!?!?


JD "Long Time MG Owner" Kemp

[quote="GonzoRacer"]Engines ain't SUPPOSED to leak???!?!?!?

You would love my Europa. I have battled an recurring oil leak where they have this stupid rubber tube as the oil return that runs between the head and the block. I have probably replaced that thing 5 times in many years of ownership and have finally given up.
Paul
...and oh yeah. I ordered a new head gasket for the Seven. Of course the tool I need to retrieve the tool I lost is the tool I lost...so something else to buy.
Off to MN tomorrow for the rest of the week, so this can all wait till the weekend.

You truly had a stuff conspiring against you situation. Learned a long time ago ... Walk away and come back later. That oil leak just plain sucks. Hopefully a retorque will fix things. Are they TTY bolts though? If so they will need to be replaced. ARP studs are the tits if you do need to replace them again.

Still ignoring the engine as I am still mad at it. Too hot in garage anyway and I cant get Lynn to go to the beach.
Went in the basement and made my grill and mounted in the nose instead!
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=13646

You obviously need an Italian car

Had one... It didn't leak, it gushed...
But thanks for the suggestion!

Exhaust removed, cams removed, all wires removed...the lost hex key is nowhere in sight...must be in the oil pan....grrr. Maybe I can find it after the head comes off.
Anti-freeze still draining, tomorrow buy a 10mm hex drive and some copper head gasket sealer during my all day trip to visit one of my employer's suppliers. Maybe the head comes off tomorrow night.
Good news is that my Gaz shocks are finished and just waiting for springs...hopefully they ship soon.
Paul

Are you sure the oil was from the head gasket? On my 4AGE I am still having oil leak from the cam covers and it runs down and gathers on the head gasket at the head to block joint. My head gasket is good though. I keep thinking if it was your head gasket you'd be leaking coolant as well.

I just pulled the head. It was the head gasket. The oil seal just did not crush properly and there was a tiny gap...I am so happy I found the cause of the leak...100% positive. On an even better note, I went fishing inside the engine with a fiberscope and a spring that I had attached a strong magnet to and I was able to retrieve the lost hex drive after about a half hour of fishing. Spotted it right off but had to play with the spring to get the right angle. Anyway, its out and maybe the head goes back on tomorrow night. I am pleased I did not have to drop the pan.
A good night!
Paul

+1!!

Yeah, like they said...

Sounds like it was a good night. Well done, Sir!

So this weekend the weather was terrible so I got the engine back together. I used a Cometic metal head gasket without any copper gasket sealer as per their instructions...gotta say, makes me nervous about anti-freeze leaks, but occasionally I do follow the instructions. It it leaks its getting Stopleak. I am not pulling the head again for a while. anyway, its not leaking now. Got the Megasquirt ignition timing squared away as well as which cylinders are on which injector banks. This is ready to start up as soon as I install the gas tank. Billy...I really need that roll bar bent up!
So last night, I probably should have worked on the wiring, but I wanted something non-technical, so I put the Dzus fasteners in the bottom of the nose. It sits very solidly in place with the 4 fasteners.
I wish my shocks would get here. This thing needs daylight! I took a picture as I love the way the nose looks with the grille-work.
Paul

Wow, you're doing great, it looks nice.

Did you ever imagine you would become a Lotus manufacturer when you bought your first one?

Always been afraid the MLS gaskets would leak. Never had a problem on both that we're installed. Congrats on getting it back together. You reminded me to work on my MEgasquirt when I get home from vacation.