Oil seeping advice | FerrariChat

Oil seeping advice

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by jkg2101, Mar 16, 2025.

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  1. jkg2101

    jkg2101 Karting

    Jan 25, 2015
    176
    New York
    hello - on my new-to-me 87 TR, which has had engine out service including many gaskets replaced, new clutch, etc... I have found several oil seepage spots, which are enough to leave a small puddle on the floor under car

    One spot is on the passenger side, at the back of the head. On the driver side, it is where the vacuum pump goes. On this side, there is just a plate and gasket. Oil is seeping there, onto the engine mount and then the floor. The bolts are tight. I wonder if I should remove the plate there and use some gasket sealer

    the other spot, which I am trying to show in these pictures, is at the bottom of the clutch "bellhousing" I am not sure if the oil is seeping from the 2 bolts there, or just out of the hole in the housing. in the first picture, you can see the oil trail from those bolts. I was planning to remove the nuts and apply some sealer there, but now I am not so sure. i thought at first the oil was seeping around the nuts, but now i wonder if it is coming from the seam between the clutch cover-bell housing and the main engine block there
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  2. Veedub00

    Veedub00 F1 Veteran
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    Jun 30, 2006
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    If the inside of the flywheel is wet then your rear main seal might be leaking. If it’s engine oil.

    if it’s clutch fluid dripping, it could be your seals in the thrust bearing. And you should notice your brake reservoir level dropping too.
     
  3. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    From the clutch housing it can also be the clutch shaft seal.
    During big services I see front and rear crank seals sold all the time just because. I have seen far more replacement seals leak from poor or improper installation that I ever see original seals leak. A very good place to let sleeping dogs lie.

    Those bell housing studs do not leak oil.
     
    radlu likes this.
  4. ago car nut

    ago car nut F1 Veteran
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    Aug 29, 2008
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    Small oil leaks don't bother me. We got spoiled from Japanese cars. 60 years ago, almost everything leaked! British M/C s which I love!!
     
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  5. ants2au

    ants2au Formula Junior

    Nov 19, 2003
    793
    Sydney Australia
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    Anthony
    those engine should not leak. my 512TR has nothing dripping on the ground. and I am ashamed to say, its been 20yrs since an engine out.

    and yes, it has oil in it lol....
     
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  6. turbo-joe

    turbo-joe F1 Veteran

    Apr 6, 2008
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    romano schwabel
    20 years no timing belt change? ;)
     
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  7. jkg2101

    jkg2101 Karting

    Jan 25, 2015
    176
    New York
    it would make sense to me that this leak is coming from rear main seal, although my knowledge of TR engine/trans anatomy isnt 100% -
    i know those are tough to fix from the outside. Seeping from rear main seal of many rebuilt vintage engines has been common in my experience on american cars, and it is probably related to a combination of aftermarket crankshafts and aftermarket seals all not being made to perfect specs (in my opinion). i have not had much luck with over-the-counter stop leak additives. my best strategy in the past with other cars has been to intermittently clean off the underneath of the engine, and otherwise carry on as normal.
     
  8. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    Well if its the throw out bearing seals leakage is the only warning you get before they quit working and leave you stranded but its your car.
     
  9. Veedub00

    Veedub00 F1 Veteran
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    When I did my rear main seal, I went through 2 aftermarket seals before buying the oem one from ricambi.
     
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  10. ago car nut

    ago car nut F1 Veteran
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    If leaking from rear seal, the back of flywheel could show signs of oil?
     
  11. jkg2101

    jkg2101 Karting

    Jan 25, 2015
    176
    New York
    not sure what you mean by this? I didn’t know the throw out bearing depends on oil? So far all I know is that oil is seeping out the bottom of the clutch housing area. It makes sense to me this might be rear main seal but I would appreciate understanding if there might be more to it
     
  12. ago car nut

    ago car nut F1 Veteran
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    Throw out bearing is hydraulic, Uses brake fluid. That is what he is talking about. If the seals fail completely, no clutch release.
     
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  13. jkg2101

    jkg2101 Karting

    Jan 25, 2015
    176
    New York
    Oh ok. I am fairly certain the leak is engine oil not clutch/brake fluid.
     
  14. Veedub00

    Veedub00 F1 Veteran
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    poke your finger into the bottom of the access holes in the clutch assembly and feel the back of the flywheel. if its grimey with oil, then I'd say your rear main seal is leaking. at least mine was grimey when mine was leaking.
     

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