Hi,… got a few crucial mechanical and cosmetics done to my 1991 auto Eunos and Flo was up and running lovely. Noticed some minor drips on the drive and apparently I have a possible leaky diff and leak from a seal, mechanic not sure where its coming from.
He suggested an additive to engine oil to try and sort any seal leakage for now and just wondered if anyone had tried this with any success…?
Any advice gratefully received
I would try another mechanic, not an additive, preferably someone who knows these cars.
All engine oils have additives added during manufacture and they all have an additive called a seal conditioner.
It is their job to make oil seals swell in order to tighten their grip on components by a reasonable amount.
Some oils have an increased amount of this additive especially those synthetic oils specified for older cars like Mobil1 10W/60 Extended Life.
I have never used an oil to reduce oil leaks so cannot comment.
I would be concerned about using a product that was not included in the oil as it may reduce some of the existing oils protection properties.
I would tend to go the route of replacing the leaking component but that is easy to say as it may be very expensive to find the problem and repair the component.
I have never used an add on oil additive to prevent seal leakage.
Not a good idea then Mick? As you might have guessed, I am no mechanic,but I think he was trying to keep me and Flo on the road till Autumn and then have a good look at the engine.
No idea then where the engine leak is? Front/rear left/right of the engine? How minor you say is the leak, a pint a week, or a very small drip now and then?
^^^^ Just trying to help, a few pics may help if poss.
Hi Mick, rear of the engine, centre, two large drips now and then>>
Hi Mick, rear of the engine, centre, two large drips now and then from diff box and seal…
Sorry, double post, probs with puter…cant get underneath to take pics Mick, too old and technologically challenged!!
Thanks anyway:))
Best start at the top and work down, the engine that is. Cam cover gasket is a favourite to leak at the rear or side and around the cam angle sensor. Google Mx-5 cam cover gasket replacement could be other places apart from the above though.
Hi,… got a few crucial mechanical and cosmetics done to my 1991 auto Eunos and Flo was up and running lovely. Noticed some minor drips on the drive and apparently I have a possible leaky diff and leak from a seal, mechanic not sure where its coming from.
He suggested an additive to engine oil to try and sort any seal leakage for now and just wondered if anyone had tried this with any success…?
Any advice gratefully received
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Going to own up here but for the first time I have used an engine oil leak sealer. It goes against the grain but the other option is a major repair!
My Jeep started leaking a drip a day on my drive, earlier this year. Research indicates that one of two “O” rings between the block and the bell housing adapter plate to be the culprit. This would require the removal of either the engine or the transfer box+gear box+torque converter etc.
I was about to use the Jeep for a trip to S Wales so I put a tin of Wynns in the engine oil. The tin said it was enough for 6 ltr (oil) and my engine has 7.2 ltr capacity. A week and a thousand miles later the leak had all but disappeared. I have had 2 drops of oil on my drive in the days after my trip and nothing in the last 8 weeks
Still goes against the grain but I’m not complaining!
As far as your leak goes, have it checked by someone who knows mx5’s before you revert to desperate measures like I did
Richard.
Thank you Richard, what you have said is more or less what the mechanic said,re. engine removal etc…I don’t want Flo in the garage during the good weather, she needs to be driven and enjoyed and that is his sentiment. I trust his judgement…
Good to know that this worked for you and your trip to south Wales went ok; I know some people who have used it with great success on classic MG’s too, so I too am going against the grain and will see how it goes… Flo can have major tlc when the rain comes:))))
Thanks again… happy motoring days!!
Ernie has a small leak about the same as yours having spent a while cleaning the engine and the driving I found the culprit to be the rocker cover gasket as described above so I’m just gonna keep check ma oil before any trip and enjoy the summer months before he comes off the rd for his winter referb try getting a tin of engine cleaner and giving it a good jet wash off then keep an eye on it the locate the leak
Thanks for that, I will keep checking the oil etc, took Flo out yesterday and she was as sweet as a nut: thanks for all your advice everyone,appreciate it. Have a great Summer!