Oil problem

[reepi]

Finally bought my Super Carry '85 that was on my Introductions post, thanks for all the comments. Managed to get it quite cheap in the end.

Brought it home on the motorway and even passed another red super carry driving the other way, gave the wave but he didn't see

Got it home no problems apart from stalling at the lights!

Wanted to check the small oil leak a bit more so i spent the afternoon cleaning. Don't think it had ever been cleaned in several years, still got a bit to do. Found sort of where the leak is originating from so i will take a picture soon when it has stopped raining and put it up. Very grubby underneath especially the front axles and will take a few days cleaning up. Im not too mechanical minded but i am keen to learn what i can, so i will order a haines guide.

Would somethink like a stop leak be a good option? And what sort of oil is best for the engine?

The engine starts good first time, no smoke or black fumes, the fuel pump is a bit fast ticking sometimes but i will focus on the oil first.

thanks guys from a happy new Supercarry owner, haven't given her a name yet.

[J J 007]

Have fun with it,usual oil leak might be rocker cover gasket its a rubber one

[>>CHOP<<]

Hi what a good choice you made...you will grow to love it...i would investigate the wherabouts of the leak and sort it out rather than put something in to stop it...they are good for emergencies when out and about but a propper repair is best.....obviously its your choice with the oil...the best you can afford...but drain it well..or use just a cheap oil with additive....and dont forget to replace the filter at the same time

the fuel pump when first turned on usually ticks quite fast then it will slow down to a steady slow tick..thats quite normal ....if it ticks fast all the time then you have some sort of problem  maybe an air leak in system..

have fun .....

[spacehopper]

I'd agree with Chop - don't use Stop Leak - it may work it may not but if it stops the leak it won't be permanent.
if its only a small leak I really wouldn't worry too much. A small leak will always look a lot worse than it is. Don't ignore it but keep an eye on it and don't try to fix it until you are 100% sure where it is - I also agree that rocker cover gasket is a likely cause. Tightening gasket fixing bolts randomly can often result in more leaks!
But don't worry about little oil leaks - I have two 1970s Land Rovers - they leak oil and it would be a lifetime's labour to make them both leak free! I dream of them having just one tiny leak each! (As I'm sure do most owners of British built motorbikes)

[reepi]

Thanks everyone, it looks much better now internally and the leak doesn't seem as bad now everything has been cleaned up a bit.

looking forward to going to my first job. My daughter has named the van GiGi, she loves it and was a nice surprise when she got home.

[reepi]

Rocker gasket seems fairly clean, however it seems the leak is coming from around where the oil sump is attached to the underside of some part what i don't know what its called..

any ideas

[>>CHOP<<]

the ENGINE ...

Its probebly the sump gasket ...the small crank shaft seals....the oil pump housing or the big crankshaft oil seal / retainer

keep looking

[Dell Boy]

Get the underside very clean & locate exactly where it is leaking, let us know & we can give accurate advice.
Scattering talcum powder about helps to show up the source of leaks.

Derek.

[reepi]

ok great, i will crack onto that and try get some decent photos. I just got myself a haynes guide too.

[reepi]

Been real busy with work and finally got a few days to have a decent look underneath, seems the oil from the leak has splashed all over so will give it another clean, might need to borrow some jacks also to get a good look underneath.

It seems the leak is on the drivers side of the van, as the suspension, bottom of fanbelt, suspension arm are all covered.

One question, i noticed the track rods are not straight and the right one has a slight bend, is this a problem that needs sorting quick?

[>>CHOP<<]

looks to me ..you may have a leak on the front crank oil seal..or oil pump housing..the fan is obviously blowing it all over

[Dell Boy]

Front seal probably.
Can be replaced insitu.

Derek.

[>>CHOP<<]

front seal can be changed ...once cam belt drive cog has been removed....hook it out ...put new one in..awkward though it may be..

[reepi]

ok thanks chop, might have to leave that one to the professionalsor until i get a pair of solid jacks. At the moment i am not too fussed about the little oil leak, i'm now onto my fuel efficiency which is pretty crap.

So far i have given the fuel pump and filter a clean out as well as the flexible fuel pipes, given the carb a little tapping to hopefully unstick any needle and floats (read on here elsewhere to try that)

what other simple steps can i take to try improve the situation?

[>>CHOP<<]

i think its something we all tinker with all the time ...no rules just trial and error my weekend are mostly taken up with wasted time tinkering and trying things...