Poll

Does your Engine leak oil?

Tight, no leak
Small leak
Modest leak
Leaks Big Time
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Author Topic: Poll: does your Pagoda leak oil?  (Read 11379 times)

Ron

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Poll: does your Pagoda leak oil?
« on: November 25, 2009, 05:19:29 »


I'm curious how many of this group have engine oil or other leaks that you live with.  And do you classify them as horrible, small, or ? 

The reason I ask is, I now have almost 100 miles on the engine rebuild that the PO of my car did over a year ago.  It is leaking out of the rear main seal already.  I've read the threads about the rope seal on the rear main, and how hard it is to get installed correctly.  Even with a correct installation, does it leak?  I have a feeling my seal was not installed correctly.

There seems to be so many connections and possible places to leaks fluids, I'm thinking there is no Pagoda without oil leaks.  I'm ready to put a diaper on the back of my engine, but I probably would have to change it every gas fill.  I'm not too happy with that car right now.  Ron

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1966 230SL, euro

Ulf

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Re: Poll: does your Pagoda leak oil?
« Reply #1 on: November 25, 2009, 10:07:42 »
No leaks from engine, a small leak from rear diff but nothing demanding any attention. I have a history of Triumphs, Land Rovers and an MGA in my garage and they have certainly left their marks on the floor...
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1965 230 SL in silver (DB180)
1982 Land Rover Series III SWB
2008 Jaguar XF 3.0
2005 Mini Cooper

bpossel

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Re: Poll: does your Pagoda leak oil?
« Reply #2 on: November 25, 2009, 11:05:16 »
My engine was rebuilt by Metric.  Have put 3700+ miles since the rebuild and no leaks.  Very dry! oops, maybe i need to check the oil  :o
Bob
« Last Edit: November 25, 2009, 11:59:08 by bpossel »
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SteveK

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Re: Poll: does your Pagoda leak oil?
« Reply #3 on: November 25, 2009, 11:56:32 »
3 or 4 drips a week from somewhere.  I also have a 52 truck that does the same.  I think its part of owning classics and have no plans to clean it up!!!! :)
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thelews

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Re: Poll: does your Pagoda leak oil?
« Reply #4 on: November 25, 2009, 13:14:35 »
No leaks!
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Enjoy some pictures at this link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8292359@N06/sets/72157603240571101/show/

John - Wisconsin
1967 Early 250 SL Red/Caviar, Manual #1543
1961 190 SL 23K miles
1964 Porsche 356
1970 Porsche 911E
1991 BMW 318is
1966 Jaguar XKE
1971 Alfa Romeo GTV 1750

bossanov

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Re: Poll: does your Pagoda leak oil?
« Reply #5 on: November 25, 2009, 16:06:00 »
Quote from: thelews on November 25, 2009, 13:14:35
No leaks!

Thelews,

Great photos! of the underside.  Can you post one of the mid-section to complete the picture?  Some of us newbies could use this.

Thanks a bunch.

Bossanov
1971 280SL Horizon Blue (in restoration)
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thelews

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Re: Poll: does your Pagoda leak oil?
« Reply #6 on: November 25, 2009, 16:10:39 »
Bossanov, just click the link under my signature.
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Enjoy some pictures at this link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8292359@N06/sets/72157603240571101/show/

John - Wisconsin
1967 Early 250 SL Red/Caviar, Manual #1543
1961 190 SL 23K miles
1964 Porsche 356
1970 Porsche 911E
1991 BMW 318is
1966 Jaguar XKE
1971 Alfa Romeo GTV 1750

Mike Hughes

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Re: Poll: does your Pagoda leak oil?
« Reply #7 on: November 25, 2009, 17:54:10 »
Mine is pretty dry, but I do have a persistent "weep" at the middle one of the three bolts that secure the valve cover.  One has to be careful when tightening these as the bracket can be deformed by overtightening.  I've tried new compressed washers and even permatex there but it always eventually begins to "weep" again. 
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- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havana Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
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Iconic

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Re: Poll: does your Pagoda leak oil?
« Reply #8 on: November 25, 2009, 18:28:49 »
Ron,
Getting back to your original question, I would not expect a leak after a proper rebuild of an engine.
Mine leaks, but it is 40 years old and never been opened up.  ;) I am willing to tolerate some "wetness" or a drop once in a while.
But, if mine was a fresh rebuild, I would expect it to be dry.
People would not pay $8500 for a car in 1970 if it messed up their garage floor.
I'm not an expert, but that is MHO.
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1970 280 SL Automatic, USA version, Grey-Blue (906G/906G), Blue leather (245)
1968 SS396 Camaro Convertible (owned since 1977 -- my first car :D)
1984 Porsche Euro Carrera coupe, LSD, SlateBlueMet/Blue
1998 BMW M-Rdstr Estoril Blue
1970 280 SL Automatic, Anthracite Grey-173G, Red Interior-132 - sold

Ron

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Re: Poll: does your Pagoda leak oil?
« Reply #9 on: November 25, 2009, 20:19:12 »
hi Iconic, I agree, after a rebuild it should not leak.  I used to have an Austin Healy, the Bug Eye.  It has no real rear seal, just a slinger.  It would always leak on hills, even after a rebuild and other attempts to stop it.

The Pagoda is different and I expected it to be dry.  My leak is many drops after about 15 minutes of running.  The little cover plate (where where you can open with two bolts and see the flywheel) is dripping oil.  Inside, I can feel up to the crank and there's oil on the webbing (ridges) of the adapter plate between engine and trans.  This is a manual trans car. 

What a mess, I trusted that the PO knew what he was doing, he had put on the pan before I purchased the car.  Now I think he cut the lower part of that rear main seal too short and there's a gap between it and the upper part.  It's upsetting in that this seems to be one of the worst repairs to have to make.

Ron   :'(
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1966 230SL, euro

abe280SL

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Re: Poll: does your Pagoda leak oil?
« Reply #10 on: November 26, 2009, 00:19:53 »
Little leak...20 years looking for leaks and almost there. If I had a car like Thelews...it better not leak.
abe
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xcashewx

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Re: Poll: does your Pagoda leak oil?
« Reply #11 on: November 26, 2009, 03:54:51 »
my pagoda has always had a small drip from the rear main seal, but then again the motor has 178,000 miles on it. i just keep some extra oil in the trunk just incase it gets low
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badali

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Re: Poll: does your Pagoda leak oil?
« Reply #12 on: November 26, 2009, 06:09:39 »
My car has a pretty big leak at the front main seal.  I bought it a year ago and am still sorting it out.  It came out of 20+ years of storage.  My 4.5 only leaks a little.  Both have original engines.
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Brad

1961 220 Sb
1966 230 SL (Sold)
2019 E 450 4 Matic
2022 GLC 300 4 Matic

Dash808

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Re: Poll: does your Pagoda leak oil?
« Reply #13 on: November 26, 2009, 06:20:59 »
Your new garage looks great!  Nice and roomy.  I would kill for a garage with some space :P
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Chan Johnson
'67 250sl
Napoli Italian Euro

Bang Bang Booogie!

badali

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Re: Poll: does your Pagoda leak oil?
« Reply #14 on: November 26, 2009, 06:29:04 »
Chan,
Here is the picture with my new soft top.  garage in the back.
Brad
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Brad

1961 220 Sb
1966 230 SL (Sold)
2019 E 450 4 Matic
2022 GLC 300 4 Matic

JamesL

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Re: Poll: does your Pagoda leak oil?
« Reply #15 on: November 26, 2009, 07:20:29 »
Mine leaks little

and often. As in various spots....
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James L
Oct69 RHD 280 in DB906 with cognac leather

AGT

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Re: Poll: does your Pagoda leak oil?
« Reply #16 on: November 26, 2009, 14:13:02 »
It is a condition of my continued car ownership in my post nupt that there is no leaking of oil or any other fluids on the driveways at the house.

Neither my 230 nor my 280 has ever leaked or, if they have, they had the survival instinct to clean up after themselves.

One Christmas/New Year while we were away the roofer parked his old van on the driveway and it had a haemorrhage. I think that the roofer might be buried under the new paving which appeared a few weeks later. It's best not to know!

Regards
Andrew
230SL or is that 230 SL Now I am confused
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Andrew

1966 230SL

Dash808

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Re: Poll: does your Pagoda leak oil?
« Reply #17 on: November 26, 2009, 19:43:09 »
Quote from: badali on November 26, 2009, 06:29:04
Chan,
Here is the picture with my new soft top.  garage in the back.
Brad


Garage and soft top looks great Brad.   
You found a good 113.  Amazing how intact it is (Documentation, accessories, originality...)

Chan
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Chan Johnson
'67 250sl
Napoli Italian Euro

Bang Bang Booogie!

Martijn

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Re: Poll: does your Pagoda leak oil?
« Reply #18 on: November 28, 2009, 12:56:38 »
My engine is dry. I think it has never been rebuilt. But the gearbox leaks a little. There are also a few drops under the differential.
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Martijn

1967 250 SL - 4-speed manual - dark blue 332
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