ax 1.1 echo (1992) K reg, oil leak

tragus · Unread post by **tragus** » 30 Apr 2003, 08:02

Hi all
got a wee problem with my ax, has been leaking oil for a month or so & is getting worse.
Had it in at the garage & they reckoned on the crankshaft oil seal being knackered, however this job (£120) proved to be a waste of money as the leak is still there & the garage dosent want to know.
Oil seams to leak when the car is being driven not when idiling, there is a spray of oil on the rear of the driver side headlamp & down to the wheel arch & wishbone.
I have been advised that this model is known for headgasket oil leaks & that this is the most likely culprit, there is evidence of oil contamination in the cooling system & I basically need confirmation & an idea of the labour involved in renewing a head gasket, rough idea of cost etc..

Unread post by **Jon** » 30 Apr 2003, 16:46

very likely the head gasket from what you are saying.
Don't know about costs, but AX head gaskets are easy to do. 4 or 5 hours from memory.

CITMAN · Unread post by **CITMAN** » 01 May 2003, 00:46

THE TU ENGINE HAS A COMMON FAULT WHERE THE HEAD GASKETS SPLITS AROUND THE MAIN OIL FEED TO THE CYLINDER HEAD. NORMALLY IT NOT ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT AS LONG AS OIL DOESNT GET ON THE CAMBELT. THE OIL LEAK IS NORMALLY LOCATED A THE CORNER WHERE THE HEAD MEETS THE BLOCK UNDER THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON THE CORNER NEXT TO THE BELT.
IF OIL IS IN THE COOLANT HOW BAD IS IT LIKE AN ICE CREAM CONE OR CAN YOU SEE CLEAR COOLANT WITH AROUND THE OUTSIDE ON THE WALLS OF THE EXPANSION TANK.
IS THE COOLING SYETEM PRESSURISED, DOES LOOSE WATER.
BUT TO BE HONEST IT SEEMS LIKE TO BE A BAD OIL LEAK FROM THE HEAD GASKET. TO CHECK THIS TAKE OFF THE TOP CAMBELT COVER AND HAVE LOOK INSIDE IS THERE OIL ON THE CAMBELT, IS THERE EVIDENCE OF OIL FROM THE HEAD GASKET JOINT. IF YOU THERE IS OIL OIL ON THE CAMBELT BUT YOU CANT SEE AND EVIDENCE OF OIL LEAKING FROM THE HEAD GASKET JOINT AND STEAMING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE BLOCK THEN ITS THE CRANK OIL SEAL.