Section : Advice for Buyers / New Owners

Question from a Triumph beginner 

Posted By : James Holladay, 20-Apr-2005, 10:19pm

• Question from a Triumph beginner 

  Posted By : Chris Wilson, 20-Apr-2005, 10:49pm

  Hi James,
  
  Welcome to the world of spittys!! You don't say if the oil is from the back, under the gearbox or front end of the car and whether it is engine or gearbox oil?? If it's negligible then I shouldn't be too alarmed about it, I don't think there's a spit around that doesn't leak from somewhere at some time or another (except a concours spit!!) (Ducks and hides now from possible barrage!! ) Ahem - a little oil leak can also be a good rust preventer!
  
  Give the engine bay a good look over, check for signs of oil, wipe it clean, check under the gearbox also and wipe it clean, check under the diff and wipe it clean, go for another exhilerating blast round the countryside and then check all those areas again. You might want to also check that the relevant plugs (sump, gearbox filler, gearbox drain, diff) are all as tight as they should be as well.
  
  Regards
  
  

  • Question from a Triumph beginner 

    Posted By : John Davies, 20-Apr-2005, 11:13pm

    James,
    "That's not an oil leak - my Spitfire is marking its territory."
    
    Welcome to the asylum
    John

    • Question from a Triumph beginner 

      Posted By : Graham Peter Senior, 21-Apr-2005, 12:25pm

      James,
      
      You sound very much like me - I too joined the ranks of the Spitfire mob last November, having wanted one for years (see my Profile if you want to be bored to death).
      
      My 1978 1500 also drips a little oil when left in the garage after a spirited run, but we're only talking a thimbleful. I've put a drip tray down (Jean's still wondering where her baking tray went over Christmas !) and after, say, a dozen trips, there's still only about a syringe-ful.
      
      Provided you're not forever topping her up, I doubt there's a lot wrong. And certainly better than a 3.4 Jag my dad once had - reckoned it was virtually two stroke - used as much oil as petrol!.
      
      Welcome to the club - everyone I've met has been more than helpful.

      • Question from a Triumph beginner 

        Posted By : David Styles, 29-Apr-2005, 12:53pm

        Hi James..
        
        both my Spitfires leak a little oil..
        
        I think its how much and where from that is important.
        
        If its gearbox oil then "How much" really is important.. if its engine oil then you might find it something that easily curable..
        Rocker cover gasket not on properly or some such.
        
        but, if its engine oil and its coming out from between the head and block for instance, then it probably needs looking at...
        once you know where its coming from, then you can choose whether to ignore it..
        
        Also... make sure it is oil... hydraulic fluid looks the same on a driveway... check your clutch and brake unions..
        and keep an eye on the levels for a bit...
        
        Happy driving...
        
        
        
        btw... don't grease your trunnions.

        • Question from a Triumph beginner 

          Posted By : Andy Vowell, 29-Apr-2005, 01:30pm

          "If its gearbox oil then 'How much' really is important.. if its engine oil then you might find it something that easily curable.."
          
          They do have distinctly different smells, allegedly gearbox oil smells like cat's pee! Not being a connoissuer of pet urine I can't vouch for that, only that engine and gearbox oils smell different.
          
          Don't assume that what is dripping from the gearbox drain plug that it is gear oil, ehgine oil can get blown back to cover the whiole underside.
          
          Spitfires often leak from the rear passenger side of the head so you can check down the side of the block for that one. Though not too much of a problem if very small.
          
          Cheers
          Andy

• Question from a Triumph beginner 

  Posted By : Mark Wessendorff, 20-Apr-2005, 11:03pm

  It may be worth double checking if it is engine oil or gear box oil that is leaking. Either way it is not 'normal'. Check your sump drain plug, around the oil filter and maybe down the back of the rocker cover for engine oil leaks. Gear box oil could be leaking from the drain plug or fill plug on the side. The Haynes manual has pics showing where all of this is.

  • Question from a Triumph beginner 

    Posted By : Philip Rosenberg, 29-Apr-2005, 04:00pm

    I think that yes it is usual to have oil leeks in spitfires, but I guess it's never a good thing.
    Mine leaks at the back of the sump, because the threads are stripped on the back three bolt holes in the block. Eventually I'll retap them and touch wood that will fix it. It also leeked from the overdrive, I'm hoping I've fixed that now as it seemed simply to be that the sump plate wasn't on tight. I'll have to wait and see when I get the can back together.

    • Question from a Triumph beginner 

      Posted By : Philip Rosenberg, 29-Apr-2005, 04:01pm

      I meant car not can, I don't think that poorly of her