Oil leak at rear of 2ltr

Started by NSharpley, July 24, 2019, 09:18:44 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

NSharpley

Well this just keeps on going.

Three sump gaskets later and I now think its actually the new rear main seal I installed.

Fairly sure of that ... watching from underneath whilst the engine is running.

Once the oil gets hot it starts to flow out pretty rapidly.

So ... yay, engine out again.

Will shop around for another seal and ensure I am getting the correct seal for this engine (I think it originally came out of a 78 GTV).
Current Alfa:
1975 Alfetta GT 2.0 Race car
1979 Alfetta GTV (Resto)
1972 105 2000 GTV (Resto)
1987 Alfa 75 2.5

Past Alfas:
1982 Alfetta Sportiva (briefly in my possession. Restored and sold)
1989 Alfa 75 2.5
1982 Alfetta Sedan 2.0
1976 Alfetta GT

carlo rossi

Mate serioulsy your going down the rabbit hole again its not the rear oil seal guaranteed!
I did that as well
I finally went to Robert he waved his magic wand and MIne has not
dropped a drop of oil since .
its not the materials its the technique after doing a couple of 100
you learn what to do
option a) Robert
option b) do it a few more times
not being harsh but I really feel for you, mine was going through oil Like the Exon Valdez ,
you probably dont remember that,even after what i thought was a rear oil seal
dont panic call Robert
( as a joke the under side wont rust)
How do you know when your land rover is out of oil?, when it stops leaking
very old joke
current cars
red 83 gtv 2.0


previous cars
Red 76 1.2/1.5 alfasud ti
white 79 alfetta 2000
alfetta 74 1.8
escort Lotus twin cam
bikes
ducati 900 ss 1979
moto morini 3 1/2 sport 1975/6
Moto morini 3 1/2 valentini speciale 77 oh and a deltek rockhopper

NSharpley

Quote from: carlo rossi on January 20, 2020, 05:06:40 PM
Mate serioulsy your going down the rabbit hole again its not the rear oil seal guaranteed!
I did that as well
I finally went to Robert he waved his magic wand and MIne has not
dropped a drop of oil since .
its not the materials its the technique after doing a couple of 100
you learn what to do
option a) Robert
option b) do it a few more times
not being harsh but I really feel for you, mine was going through oil Like the Exon Valdez ,
you probably dont remember that,even after what i thought was a rear oil seal
dont panic call Robert
( as a joke the under side wont rust)
How do you know when your land rover is out of oil?, when it stops leaking
very old joke

Got a number for Magic Rob?

I am in agreement that it is unlikely to be the rear seal.  I suspect the oil galley cover plate.

Current Alfa:
1975 Alfetta GT 2.0 Race car
1979 Alfetta GTV (Resto)
1972 105 2000 GTV (Resto)
1987 Alfa 75 2.5

Past Alfas:
1982 Alfetta Sportiva (briefly in my possession. Restored and sold)
1989 Alfa 75 2.5
1982 Alfetta Sedan 2.0
1976 Alfetta GT

carlo rossi

magic rob said i can give you the number
ps and anyone else who needs this
zero 418 nine six309 one
current cars
red 83 gtv 2.0


previous cars
Red 76 1.2/1.5 alfasud ti
white 79 alfetta 2000
alfetta 74 1.8
escort Lotus twin cam
bikes
ducati 900 ss 1979
moto morini 3 1/2 sport 1975/6
Moto morini 3 1/2 valentini speciale 77 oh and a deltek rockhopper

NSharpley

Thanks.

I have a new question on this topic.

I was putting the engine back in today and with it tilted backwards, flywheel at the low point, there was a steady stream of oil dripping out via the rear main seal.

Now, I did not drain the oil this time when I took the engine out ... didnt need to really and have been through so much oil in the process of doing sump gaskets I was keen to reuse this batch for the time being.

So my question ... with the engine tilted back like that ... with oil clearly flowing right up against the rear main seal ... should it be able to leak out past the seal??

It is clearly visible, and I can replicate the issue now that the engine is back on the stand ...

In many take off and acceleration situations the oil would thrash up against the rear main seal ... surely it should not let oil past like this.

I have the 82mm Akron seal.   

Current Alfa:
1975 Alfetta GT 2.0 Race car
1979 Alfetta GTV (Resto)
1972 105 2000 GTV (Resto)
1987 Alfa 75 2.5

Past Alfas:
1982 Alfetta Sportiva (briefly in my possession. Restored and sold)
1989 Alfa 75 2.5
1982 Alfetta Sedan 2.0
1976 Alfetta GT

NSharpley

Observe:

https://youtu.be/jspkfbV0tXk

This would simulate a moderately steep hill, surely it should not allow oil past like this.

Current Alfa:
1975 Alfetta GT 2.0 Race car
1979 Alfetta GTV (Resto)
1972 105 2000 GTV (Resto)
1987 Alfa 75 2.5

Past Alfas:
1982 Alfetta Sportiva (briefly in my possession. Restored and sold)
1989 Alfa 75 2.5
1982 Alfetta Sedan 2.0
1976 Alfetta GT

bazzbazz

Ahhhhh, NO!

There is something seriously wrong with the rear seal there. If it's a new seal are you sure you got the right size?

Must admit, it's a bloody novel way of proofing a problem.  In the RAAF we call that "Lateral thinking"!  ;)
On The Spot Alfa
Mobile Alfa Romeo Diagnostic/Repair/Maintenance/Service
Brisbane/Gold Coast
0405721613
onthespotalfa@iinet.net.au

bonno

From what you describe, it seems likely that the rear main oil seal is damaged/split or has a missing inner spring or damaged scored c/shaft journal. As you currently have the engine out, I would conduct the following check " mark the area were the leak is coming from and turn the engine at 90 degree increments and see if the leak still occurs". This will establish whether the seal (split) or the shaft journal surface is scored or missing oil spring or worn/hardened seal causing the leak. I will then remove and examine seal to establish cause. Then fit a new OEM seal if you have ruled out c/shaft journal is not scored/ damaged, assuming you have ruled out the cigarette seals. Refer to attached photo of a cross section of typical oil seal design. 

NSharpley

Quote from: bonno on February 01, 2020, 08:26:28 PM
From what you describe, it seems likely that the rear main oil seal is damaged/split or has a missing inner spring or damaged scored c/shaft journal. As you currently have the engine out, I would conduct the following check " mark the area were the leak is coming from and turn the engine at 90 degree increments and see if the leak still occurs". This will establish whether the seal (split) or the shaft journal surface is scored or missing oil spring or worn/hardened seal causing the leak. I will then remove and examine seal to establish cause. Then fit a new OEM seal if you have ruled out c/shaft journal is not scored/ damaged, assuming you have ruled out the cigarette seals. Refer to attached photo of a cross section of typical oil seal design.

Will try these suggestions ... however I can say the crankshaft journal is clear and Ive done the cigarette seals.

Will inspect the seal itself.   Its an 82mm Akron seal.   Is there any reason the 82mm would cause a leak when an 84mm is required?   I didnt make the choice when I bought the seal, just received an 82mm.

Current Alfa:
1975 Alfetta GT 2.0 Race car
1979 Alfetta GTV (Resto)
1972 105 2000 GTV (Resto)
1987 Alfa 75 2.5

Past Alfas:
1982 Alfetta Sportiva (briefly in my possession. Restored and sold)
1989 Alfa 75 2.5
1982 Alfetta Sedan 2.0
1976 Alfetta GT

bonno

In response to your question is the 82mm seal OK, I have attached Rotary Seal Design Guide from Parker, in particular Clipper and Parker types used for rear main oil seal design. Refer to Page 6.3 Table 6.3 for 80 -100 for tolerance and Page 5.9 for Nomencluture/P/N - Clipper and Page 6.3 Table 6.1 for tolerance and Page 6.9 for Nomencluture./P/N – Parker.
https://www.parker.com/literature/Engineered%20Polymer%20Systems/5350.pdf

NSharpley

Thanks ... a simple 82mm or 84mm answer would've sufficed.

There are only two diameter seals available for the Alfetta engine.  I have measured the crank journal, its 82mm.

Im assuming I would need the 82mm seal.

I not seriously going to read through all that.

Current Alfa:
1975 Alfetta GT 2.0 Race car
1979 Alfetta GTV (Resto)
1972 105 2000 GTV (Resto)
1987 Alfa 75 2.5

Past Alfas:
1982 Alfetta Sportiva (briefly in my possession. Restored and sold)
1989 Alfa 75 2.5
1982 Alfetta Sedan 2.0
1976 Alfetta GT

NSharpley

Quote from: bonno on February 02, 2020, 09:20:23 AM
In response to your question is the 82mm seal OK, I have attached Rotary Seal Design Guide from Parker, in particular Clipper and Parker types used for rear main oil seal design. Refer to Page 6.3 Table 6.3 for 80 -100 for tolerance and Page 5.9 for Nomencluture/P/N - Clipper and Page 6.3 Table 6.1 for tolerance and Page 6.9 for Nomencluture./P/N – Parker.
https://www.parker.com/literature/Engineered%20Polymer%20Systems/5350.pdf

Well I dragged myself through that document ... it all just tells me that the tolerances are very tight so the 82mm seal is the one I need to have.

Current Alfa:
1975 Alfetta GT 2.0 Race car
1979 Alfetta GTV (Resto)
1972 105 2000 GTV (Resto)
1987 Alfa 75 2.5

Past Alfas:
1982 Alfetta Sportiva (briefly in my possession. Restored and sold)
1989 Alfa 75 2.5
1982 Alfetta Sedan 2.0
1976 Alfetta GT

bonno

  Is there any reason the 82mm would cause a leak when an 84mm is required?   I didnt make the choice when I bought the seal, just received an 82mm.
[/quote]
Did not expect you to read the entire document for your answer! That is why I quoted the relevant pages and tables.
Regards
bonno

bazzbazz

Hang on, what is the correct size deal that is SUPPOSED to be fitted?
On The Spot Alfa
Mobile Alfa Romeo Diagnostic/Repair/Maintenance/Service
Brisbane/Gold Coast
0405721613
onthespotalfa@iinet.net.au

NSharpley

Quote from: bazzbazz on February 02, 2020, 04:45:08 PM
Hang on, what is the correct size deal that is SUPPOSED to be fitted?

There are only two sizes .. 82mm and 84mm.
Current Alfa:
1975 Alfetta GT 2.0 Race car
1979 Alfetta GTV (Resto)
1972 105 2000 GTV (Resto)
1987 Alfa 75 2.5

Past Alfas:
1982 Alfetta Sportiva (briefly in my possession. Restored and sold)
1989 Alfa 75 2.5
1982 Alfetta Sedan 2.0
1976 Alfetta GT