Oil pump leaking after new engine

task · Post by **task** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 4:01 pm

Recently put a new V8 into a 1993 4 door range rover classic multi-v-belt, which is going pretty well, other than a persistent oil leak from the oil pump base area which manifested as follows;

Engine fitted and no leaks for 200 miles
Slight weap from oil pump base area (looks like top near gasket)
Gasket replaced, leak stops for 50 miles
Leak re-appears so replaced the oil pump base with a spare and fitted new relief valve and spring along with new oil cooler take off rubber gasket
Leak stops for 100 miles, has now re-appeared.

It's not a massive leak, but under motion it's enough that the oil is swept onto the exhaust causing unpleasant fumes so is very noticeable.

It didn't leak when the front cover was fitted to the old engine and the oil pump base has been replaced so the next stage in my eyes would be the replacement of the front cover as perhaps something was damaged when re-fitting.

Anyone experienced similar?

New front covers are eye-watering but all my spares have sheered bolts for the oil-pump base and I'm not sure I want to spend the two days stripping it apart and rebuilding if I'm not going to cure the problem.

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 6:48 pm

Is the face at the bottom of the timing cover flat?, the one that the end-plate goes up against.

It does sound like a very careful inspection of that might yield a clue.

Chris.

task · Post by **task** » Mon Jan 18, 2016 7:05 pm

ChrisJC wrote:Is the face at the bottom of the timing cover flat?, the one that the end-plate goes up against.

It does sound like a very careful inspection of that might yield a clue.

Chris.

The oil pump base mount or the face that mates with the sump?

The oil is definitely coming from the oil pump area, oil runs down and drops from the bolts and can be seen above the pressure switch.

I put a straight edge over the pump housing and it seemed pretty flat from various angles but it's probably my main concern along with a possible hairline crack into a bolt hole.

I'm trying to decide if I should stump up the cost of a brand new replacement cover which comes with uprated gears/spacer plate (cheapest I could find) or try and recover the spare one I have which has a sheared bolt in the oil pump and a sheared bolt in the water pump...