Thread: Persistent Sump Leak

Resurrecting an old post here, but thanks to everyone for their help. I've replaced the t-seals and no more leaks; very happy. I used some gasket sealant on the t-seals which both held them in place - sort of - and helped them slide - sort of - as I put the bearing cap back in. It was a bit messy and took a few goes but got there eventually. I bought four of the seals which was useful because I ripped one on the first attempt.

Just a couple of observations from my experience doing this repair. First, I found removing the bearing cap by hand impossible, despite following a couple of techniques I found on the web. In the end, I made up a simple extractor tool from a length of steel bar and HT M8 threaded rod. The cap came out easily using this. Second, the ends of the seals stretched quite a bit when I but the cap back in, protruding beyond the cap by probably 10mm. This is a lot more than the RAVE illustration suggests. I was actually worried that they had torn going in but 2K km later and no leaks, so I assume not. I did wait a couple of hours before I trimmed them to give them time to shrink back, although I can't say I noticed much change. Finally, I did the job without the little guides - as do most people I guess - but if I were to do it again, I would be tempted to make up some up out a little bit of plastic chopping board, just to ease the aggravation.

Anyhow, not a difficult job, just requires a bit of patience and some deep breaths when putting the cap and seals back in - especially when you drop the bearing cap on your nose on the fourth attempt at sliding it back in

Hi Eeyore,
I've done a couple of engines without the small blocks, and agree with you this is quite a difficult job. I've now made a couple of small blocks up and they work a treat, make the job so much easier, and you feel with confidence that the job is done as good as it can be done. For the time it takes to make the blocks up you would easily waste that much of your life doing the job again when and if they leak.