Oil Spray in the 4.5

[tophat]

With apologies in advance to those who are getting to know my technophobe queries: I recently had my 4.5 serviced and asked about oil leaks. The mechanic cheerfully said that the 4.5's tend to spray onto a horizontal panel on the driver's side when under pressure.

Since then I've noticed it happens regularly. In fact, I tend to get a faint whiff of oil at high revs and this is always confirmed later by a thin sheen of oil on said panel.

Then again, it oddly enough doesn't getthrough that much oil.

Should I be worried?

Replies greatly appreciated.

[JohnSW20]

Hi Tophat
I have a 97 4.2 and have an oil leak from the bottom of the hose on the left hand side at the top of the engine. I have tried changing the clip and the pipe but after every run there is a small amout of oil on the panel thing under it.
I have put it down to"this is where my engine sheds a little tear of joy for each time it take it out". I have ask other 4.2 drivers and they seem to have the same leak.
Not a lot of help but just to let you know your not on your own.

John

[ajcerb]

Have the same thing on my 4.2 - everyone who i have asked says the same thing - it's normal and part of the design - can't remember what exactly it does as not a techie, but it's not a problem by all accounts although worth cleaning it off from time to time with washing up liquid and a little water just to keep that area of the engine bay looking ok in the long term.

[tophat]

Thanks mates, I reckon it's not too serious. Good to hear some feedback. Like the "little tear of joy".

[jesfirth]

mine does it too

[TooTall Paul]

Have you made sure there's a jubilee clip on the engine breather under the air box. I put a clip on mine and it stopped most of the spray.

[-SXS-]

Craigs rebuilding his engine himself and I saw some of the new gear he's using, and a futuristic looking titanium (I think) oil catch-can was one of them...

The standard cerbera crank-case breathing setup is SHITE.... anyone who loves their car, should upgrade to a decent catch-can setup - and pumping it immediatly back into the intake system is old-skool.

I'm sure for a decent-price, maybe an hour or two labour and the cost of a catch-can and plumbing will get you sorted.

Talk to www.TVRCraft.com , they do all their own in-house metalworks and should give you a decent quote for making a custom bracket and mounting a catch-can and plumbing it in for ya.

[TooTall Paul]

Have you made sure there's a jubilee clip on the engine breather under the air box. I put a clip on mine and it stopped most of the spray.

[-SXS-]

TooTall Paul said:

Have you made sure there's a jubilee clip on the engine breather under the air box. I put a clip on mine and it stopped most of the spray.

A proper catch-can is the only way, and is better for your engine (You wouldnt want your intestine juices going back into your mouth would you?):

www.accmachtech.com/pcvcatchcans.htm

www.speedmethodperformance.com/products/1195cuscooilcatchcan.htm

www.topendmotorsports.com/engine/accessories/reserviortanks/signalauto/

[TooTall Paul]

I thought maybe an empty stella can and a piece of pipe. Just out of interest. The fuel bike we run loses over one litre in 1/4 mile into the catch tank, that must be a lot of crank pressure!

>> Edited by TooTall Paul on Saturday 30th July 08:51

[-SXS-]

TooTall Paul said:

The fuel bike we run loses over one litre in 1/4 mile into the catch tank, that must be a lot of crank pressure!

Awesome! do you run at pods?

[tophat]

Verrry interesting. Wouldn't mind bringing the car up to speed - will look into this catch can business. -SXS- clearly has an unusual idea of a good time, though.