Does the sump come off for a cam change?

[Griff2be]

Can anyone confirm that the sump has to come off the Rover V8 in order for the camshaft to be changed?

Had a look underneath and it looks like sump is partly bolted to the front of the engine, so for the front to come off the sump needs to come off first?

My camshaft was replaced a few weeks ago. There were no oil leaks under the car before it went in - I spent a long time under it 2 days before it went to the garage, repainting the chassis, so I'm pretty sure!

Just jacked it up and looked under to find an oil leak that looks like it is all the way around the sump gasket.

I guess its not too much of a big deal, but I will need to get it taken off and a new gasket/sealant applied (is is a gasket - there seems to be some sealant in evidence in places?). I'd like to be sure of my facts before having a conversation tomorrow with the chaps that did the cam.

Many thanks

Andy

[danny hoffman]

On my 350 (pre serp) you can just remove the front bolts on the sump and the cam cover can be removed. If the sump gasket is damaged in anyway you would have to remove the whole sump to change the gasket.

It sounds like they may have damaged it and not bothered to change the gasket. Its not a big job.

BTW mine doesn't leak and I didn't use any sealany.

[trefor]

Make sure it is leaking and not just runoff from the engine work (or worse, a leak from a head gasket running down to the sump before dripping off). Maybe you can nip up the sump gasket bolts (be careful, they don't like much torque at all).

T/.

[Griff2be]

Thanks Danny

Mine is a Serp 500 - but looks like it is very similar as its only the front bolts on the sump that go through the cam cover.

I didn't think it was a big job to sort, but its more inconvenience and I don't see why I should pay for it.

I'll speak to the guys who did the work tomorrow.

Unfortunately I am about 100 miles from them. If I was close it would be easy to sort as I'm sure they would do the work FOC.

As I'm so far away it makes no sense travelling up there (I'd have to take yet another day off, plus the cost of fuel etc) - I'd prefer to go to my local specialist. That means getting the original guys to part with some money to pay for it and that's where it may get difficult.

I don't seem to be having much luck with the car at the moment. I still have fault code 68 to sort out....

[Griff2be]

quote:
Make sure it is leaking and not just runoff from the engine work (or worse, a leak from a head gasket running down to the sump before dripping off). Maybe you can nip up the sump gasket bolts (be careful, they don't like much torque at all).

T/.

I'm pretty sure it is the sump gasket. The engine block above seems to be completely dry as far as I can see. The front of the engine (cam cover et al) are spotless.

Bloody TVR's. Don't you just love 'em?

[shpub]

A leak from the rocker cover can also drip down to the sump.

The sump typically uses a selent as the gaskets don't work too well. A cam chnage is a lot of work and the whole front comes off so it is more than likley that the sump wqs removed to improve access.

Steve

[fish]

Depends how you do it, but no the sump does not need to come off.

[griff2be]

quote:
A leak from the rocker cover can also drip down to the sump.

The sump typically uses a selent as the gaskets don't work too well. A cam chnage is a lot of work and the whole front comes off so it is more than likley that the sump wqs removed to improve access.

Steve

The nuts on the sump all look very sparkly, so I suspect the whole sump did come off.

Thanks guys - I'll give them a call and see what they say.

Andy

[david beer]

can i ask why a new cam? Its just that my 99 griff 500 with 19k miles is a little too noisey.

[Griff2be]

Mine started pinking at high revs so I had it looked at immediately (had to cancel a TVR Performance Technique day too). Timing was ok, as was stepper motor + wiring, but it still read a fault code 48 (normally stepper motor but can also be mechanical problems). A couple of the pullies were also loose on the front of the engine, reason unknown, but there were spanner marks on the bolts and it had recently been with a dealer...

Steve at Thames Valley Racetech diagnosed worn/noisy cam, advised me to take it to TVR Power and Dom up there agreed. New cam fitted under warranty (I think - either that or the dealer that sold me the car paid ).

Excellent service from Steve - by advising me to take it to TVR Power he gave me the best chance of getting the work paid for either by Warranty Holdings or by the dealer.

Shame its now leaking oil though...

Edited to say that Thames Valley did not change the cam and are not responsible for the oil leak!

>> Edited by Griff2be on Friday 11th October 21:14