Sump Leak

[nigelj77]

Hi folks,

I had the sump on my 98 450 done around this time last year, I have noticed the occasional drip coming from the same area it was last time so I suspect the sump gasket has failed again although I havent been under the car yet.

Last time around I purchased a higher quality gasket from one of the TVR dealers (might have been racing green but I'm not sure) and had the gasket changed by a garage which also used sealant to make sure it sealed.

I know a lot of people dont use a gasket, what is the thinking behind this and what sealant do people use?

I'm of the opinion that dissimilar metals should have a gasket due to differnt thermal expansion but am willing to be persueded otherwise if it lasts longer than 10 months.

Cheers,

Nigel.

[J400GED]

Is it definitely leaking from the gasket, or is it running down and dripping off the sump flange thereby appearing to be from the sump gasket?

[jojackson4]

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=...
This

[ch427]

I've always used the loctite black and have not had any problems, cleanliness is the key to a good seal.
Not used it on the tvr sump though but various others.

[nigelj77]

As I said I've not had a look under the car yet but it looks to be dripping in the same place as last time so suspected the gasket has failed or the workmanship of the lad who fitted it has.....

I've also used the loctite black silicon on the 20XE powered westfield I used to have, I used it alongside a "cork" sump gasket.

Is sealant only and no gasket the most common route as I'm worried in places there will be more or less no sealant as the sump doesnt have any spacers in it to prevent it pulling up face to face?

[ch427]

Most people would not bother to clean the mating surfaces well enough which may be the issue.
Maybe a new gasket with a light smear of sealant on both sides would be the best option.

[zed4]

Could it be leaking from the valley gasket and running down to the sump?

[Oldred_V8S]

ch427 said:

Most people would not bother to clean the mating surfaces well enough which may be the issue.
Maybe a new gasket with a light smear of sealant on both sides would be the best option.

Dont forget to use thread sealer.

[nigelj77]

Thanks folks, fresh gasket and a sealant is normally my preferred route, I'll have a look under it and if it's the sump again get a gasket ordered, oil change is due in a couple of months anyway.

I was assuming the same sealer I use on the gasket will also seal the threads?

[zed4]

PS. I used one of the eBay gaskets and some hylomar in conjunction with the brace which goes between the rear two bolts. I've noticed it's got a little oily under there, but it doesn't seem to be dripping as the garage floor is clean and the oil level hasn't dropped, so I'm happy.

[spend]

nigelj77 said:

I was assuming the same sealer I use on the gasket will also seal the threads?

It would probably be called thread sealant if that was the case then, and would likely be useless on the gasket

They are very different.