Series 3 How much oil leaking is normal (if any)?

85Santana3 · Mar 4, 2020

Hello everybody
I have read in multiple sources that old (60s-70s, etc) British cars and even motorcycles leaked oil and this is expected.
Since these sources were not British I expect they might be bias. On the other hand my own Landy leaked from the first day and is leaking and probably will leak oil from more than one place and so far no amount of trying has solved the problem. Is this only happening to me or is this really normal?
Also, what suggestions you have to stop this annoying problem.
Thank you inadvance
S

Western Slope Rover · Mar 4, 2020

60's, 70's, 80's, 90's, 2000's........
It's a well earned stereotype.

marksman · Mar 4, 2020

if a Landrover is not leaking there's no oil in it

Awkward · Mar 4, 2020

On our old vehicles / bikes Iv used the best quality available gaskets with the appropriate sealer for extra piece of mind. When fitting cork gaskets make sure the cork has a fine grain, supple with no cracks or holes in it. When buying O rings / seals choose the ones with more meat on, it’s amazing how varied they are. This is the same for head gaskets, it took three goes to seal up our old MGB cylinder head properly and the gasket that worked was an original gasket old stock hiding away in some guys garage that was almost twice as thick as the aftermarket ones.

rob1miles · Mar 4, 2020

Its not so imporant whether it leaks, its imporant it has oil in. So the key issue is how often do you have to top the various bits up and can you live with that? Its also improant if you are new to this to make quite sure you are topping up ALL the places that need it.

tottot · Mar 4, 2020

It is quite possible to get them not to leek with good seal's' seal lands and gaskets.
How long it stays that way can depend on the sort of use it get's. Little use seals can harden, In the crud a lot and you can guess.

85Santana3 · Mar 4, 2020

Your answers really made me laugh. I had a 2-stroke moped when I was a kid. My Landy uses practically the same ratio of oil to fuel. At least now I know it is normal

Blackburn · Mar 4, 2020

Mine only leaks oil from gearbox selector shafts. None from engine or axles.

Western Slope Rover · Mar 5, 2020

Blackburn said:
Mine only leaks oil from gearbox selector shafts. None from engine or axles.

Black sheep. Soon to be banned from the clan.

rob1miles · Mar 5, 2020

I can say from expereince it is worth spending time working out exactly where it leaks from. I empahsise EXACTLY because its far from easy. I lived with a serious leak - 12" puddle under the engine after every drive, because i was sure it was the crank seals and "they all do that" (Its a Perkins) but it got worse and before I pulled the engine I thought I'll jet wash it and then lie underneath. It was the fuel pump gasket, the studs were too long and not pulling up, it ran down the block, along the flange and down the bell housing. 10 minuite fix. I had a gear box leak, turned out its was; loose drain plug, sump plate nuts had backed off AND the front output seal had failed. 2 of the 3 took a couple of mins and make a big difference.
My front axle seal leak turned out to the drain plug seal leaking and blowing over the drive shaft. Again a 5 min job. While the bottom is still covered in wind blown oil I can park up after a drive and see no more than a couple of drips and 90% of those fixes have been small simple jobs.

Series 3 How much oil leaking is normal (if any)?

85Santana3

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Western Slope Rover

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marksman

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Awkward

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rob1miles

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tottot

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85Santana3

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Blackburn

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Western Slope Rover

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rob1miles

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