Date: Sun, 09 Mar 2003 19:00:03 -0400 From: Dexter J <lamealameadingdongnopsamlamelame.org> Subject: Re: '88 900i 8v oil leak still at sump plug area: oh dear - help
Salutations: tom wrote: > > Dear All, > > (So I undo engine oil drain plug and out comes the oil...) > > the aluminium has a (now get this) > 1mm GROOVE IN THE ALUMINIUM ENGINE BOLCK, > WHERE THE PLUG WASHER MEETS THE ENGINE. > > How the dickens could that happen. > > So, I emery paper the groove out, and make sure I > get the right plug and washer for an 88 900i 8v > (its a copper washer). But, and this is bad, it still leaks, > but 10 times less. > > Then, I get funcky with the washer, and buy > a dowty washer (copper on the outer diameter, ruber on the inner, > put an o-ring above and below the inner rubber of the dowty washer, > and tighten - hand tight > (oil out, into a lovely box, then back in again of course). > It could be there is not enough surface area covered by > me getting creative with the o-rings. > > Still leaks but less by twelvty. > > So, what next: > a) more washer variations, fibreor > b) there might be a crack in this case, > so would the "welding" glue combination > I saw in the autospares shop today be any good, (or > c) no, unthinkable, Im not going to ditch this car yet) > > love > tom > > (ps: never heard of a dowty washer: hope I'm spelling it right) Pay attention to what Grunff has been saying - he's usually reliable.. I immediately thought you might be talking o-ring groove of some sort - but if it's a spiral - sounds like a crack around the female.. You will now want to get a flat file and carefully and lightly scrub the surface down so it's flat to the oil plug nut (although it sounds like you have already taken a fair bit of metal out).. After that you might want to look at a high temp rubber washer, some seal-all and a torque wrench with a - very - gentle touch.. If you are not careful from now on - you stand a good chance of spinning out your threads and further cracking your case.. The upside is that it may present you a good reason to lift the engine, do a through round of maintenance (timing chain - starter clean up - tranny and clutch kit) and bolt on a new to you case from pretty much any 80's 900.. It will cost you more to ship it from your local wrecker than it will cost for the used part - but perhaps it's time.. -- J Dexter - webmaster - http://www.dexterdyne.org/ all tunes - no cookies no subscription no weather no ads no news no phone in - RealAudio 8+ Required - all the Time Radio Free Dexterdyne Top Tune o'be-do-da-day Stevie Ray Vaughn - Wing http://www.dexterdyne.org/888/056.RAM