Rover T-Series Camshaft Oil Seal leak

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Tue 30 Mar 2004 16:59
Rover T-Series Camshaft Oil Seal leak - MarkSmith
Hi folks,

Car is a Rover 220 Turbo coupe with the T-series engine. Oil is leaking from the seal around the rear end of the exhaust camshaft, under the distributor cap. Not pouring out, but definitely leaking.

This seal was recently replaced as part of a head overhaul.

Garage's line is that the cause is worn piston rings causing blow-by, hence increased crank-case pressure, hence increased head pressure pushing oil past the seal.

There is a tiny smear of oil in the breather by the inlet cam on the same side, but I mean a smear.

Does the diagnosis (bad piston rings blowing out head oil seals) sound reasonable? Personally I would have thought the breathers would be a much easier route to relieve excess pressure, but I'd like an exper opinion.

Or does it sound like a poorly fitted / defective oil seal?

None of the others appear to be leaking - but they're also not as easy to see so don't take this as gospel.

Any tests I can do to move the investigation along?

Thanks!
Mark

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Tue 30 Mar 2004 23:44
Rover T-Series Camshaft Oil Seal leak - DL
Sounds like a load of complete and utter twaddle to me Mark.

Replace the seal, it's an easy job. There is a special tool (tube...) to fit it but you should be able to improvise.

Grease the seals lip before installing to avoid running it dry initially.
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Wed 31 Mar 2004 17:45
Rover T-Series Camshaft Oil Seal leak - 3500S
150,000 miles and the piston rings answer might be valid.

Otherwise DL is on the ball. I'd consider changing your garage as well as the seal.
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Wed 31 Mar 2004 21:54
Rover T-Series Camshaft Oil Seal leak - DL
150K on one of these engines is attainable aslong as the oil has been kept clean.

The breathers on the T Series are far superior to former Rover engines (M16 comes to mind!) so any crankcase fumes are easily dealt with.

I'd still plump for the seal - go on, have a go! What have you got to loose?
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Thu 1 Apr 2004 10:31
Rover T-Series Camshaft Oil Seal leak - MarkSmith
Thanks all for the advice.

I have also asked some enthusiasts and the AA tech support people. Unanimous opinion is that they are talking from their bottoms.

They have agreed to have another look at it, and they split an air-con pipe when they were doing the head so it has to go back for that to be fixed anyway. If they don't come up with the goods I'll do the seal myself. To be honest if it had sprung the leak of its own accord I'd have just got on with it and replaced the seal. But I feel agrieved at paying £643 and then having to put the job right myself.

Oil comes out after 5k almost the same colour it went in, by the way.

As for changing my garage - I think I will be doing this too. Their method of diagnosing the piston ring problem (water on top of the pistons - see if it soaks past) has left everyone completely flabberghasted. Finding good garages is extremely hard though. One of the HJ recommended ones (Hilton) is about half a mile from my house so perhaps I'll try them next.

Or perhaps I'll just buy a skateboard.

Thanks again!
-Mark
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