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MG TD TF 1500 - How to reduce oil leak

Have tried twice to install Moss seals - front and rear- all according to the manual, but it always leaked a lot. However, after a modification of the seal kit it now leaks 98 % less. During a 36 km. drive including two stops of one hour, it leaked only one gram. After this test it leaked 5 drops in one hour. Front seal did not leak at all. I am prepared to live with this.

Enclosed pictures describe a modification of the Moss seal that I have taken the liberty to name Singo Modification after my home island.

As I earlier only have managed to submit one pic at a time, I might have to produce a number of comments.

1. Turned a bush in delrin and cut it in half to use as a fixture when bonding in the front seal in the timing cover after leaving it for the sealant to harden, before fixing the oil pan. It is very important to fix the seal in 90 deg. to the shaft.

2. After fastening the seal housing to the bearing clamp according to the Moss manual, an 8 mm. hole was drilled in 45 deg. to the shaft, thru the seal housing.

3. The block was then placed on the oil pan with gasket in place and carefully, by using a drill in the new drainage hole in the adapter, the position of the hole thru the oil pan was marked and after removing the block an 8 mm. hole was drilled in 90 deg. thru the rear wall of the oil pan.

4. A rubber seal with an 8 mm. recess at the top to fit in between the oil pan and the seal housing was bonded in. It takes some care to bond it in, so it will be tight, but not blocking the recess.


YS Strom

Image no 2

YS Strom

Image 3

YS Strom

Unfortunately images are not in correct order

Image 4

YS Strom

Forgot to mention that I used a Moss sleeve on the flange, although it was already very smooth, as I believe that will be better than just polishing the flange with sandpaper.
YS Strom

I spoted your chip guards over your elect outlets on the wall. Said to myself there's a man who knows about what happens when clips short out your outlets. Forrest TD/C 22679
Forrest Rubenstein

Latest leak test.

During 10 min. idling there were no leak at all and during a 40 km. drive, including a one hour stop, it leaked 0.2 cm3. After stop it leaked another 4 drops during one hour. Now I am happy if it remains like that.

If anyone tries a similar modification it would be interesting to know how it comes out.
Y Strom

For what its worth I have recently fitted the Chevy small block split lip seal to the rear of the crankshaft. Result ZERO oil leaks.
Graeme Fisher

I also did the Chevy seal with zero leak.

Now if I can just stop the leaky tappet cover I will have a no-leak XPEG.

Is there such a thing?
Dan Nordstroom

Years ago I was instructed to reduce or eliminate oil leakage from an English motor, stop replacing it !!!
Jon Levine

Will the Chevy split-seal require grinding of the shaft or can it just be bonded in? If not, I will try it in my spare engine. Any idea of how long it may last?
Y Strom

Y Strom

I cannot answer your question as I had a local shop do the work. I think I remember him saying something about having to do a little welding in the area though.

Sorry I can't offer you more.

Dan
Dan Nordstroom

Mate

Here is the link explaining the Chevy Rear Seal Installation:

http://www.mg-tabc.org/library/rearseal-prince.htm

If I keep my TF I will be incorporating this, the Moss solution lasted less than 1000Ks despite a full test of the fit up with the engine out of the car.

Graeme
G Evans

Thanks a lot for all the information on the chevy seal.

Before I do anything with my spare engine now, I will first test the modified moss seal I have installed, for a while and see if it can be regarded as a permanent solution, or if it starts leaking again - if so I will go for a chevy seal. If it takes only 1000Km. the answer will come sooner than wanted.

The advantage with the Chevy seal is that the smaller dia. gives a lower velocity at the lip, compared to the moss seal and is therefore likely to last longer. However, the moss sleeve has a very smooth surface and also gives a slightly bigger dia. which might favor both tightness and a long life. I guess it is also a lot cheaper and can be fixed by most T-owners.

Bearing in mind the very low success rate for the standard moss seal kit I regarded more or less as a fraud marketing them.
Y Strom

This thread was discussed between 25/07/2017 and 03/08/2017

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