ZT-T 190 massive oil leak
 

Hi, I'm Sebastian from Cologne in Germany and I drive a ZT-T 190 for 3 years now. Friend of mine bought it new in 04 and practically gave it away after he retired from his job and I couldn't say no.

It's got 143000 kms (89000mls) and we both didn't have many issues with it, but yesterday the oil pressure lamp came on and getting home I found the driveway drenchend in oil. Luckily I had only 1 km to go and nursed it home, so I'm expecting no damage.



It's on the back of the engine, just underneath the rear bank on the right hand side. There is a plastic cap that has come off. Apparently it's been glued on with some rtv before and of course I can simply glue it back on.
The question is: Why has it come off - obviously for at least the second time - and what's that thing it sits on that to me looks like a fuel pressure regulator?
I'll post a picture later on, but maybe it's a common problem.
I'm no dummy with cars and do all repairs and maintenance myself, but with the MG I'm only just getting started...

Welcome along. Either not fitted correctly or crankcase breathing is blocked and excess pressure is blowing it out.

So there is some oil pressure going against that cap?
Wasn't sure about that since the oil drained out completely.
Breather system I had in mind, probably good to check and clean as a matter of course.

Is that common with these engines?

Oh my, I always said that the car goes to the breakers as soon as it develops any serious issues. Can't do it...

Just to be sure Sebastian, when you say "right hand side" do you mean in the region of the oil filter? A photograph is needed really. ;)

Simon

If the plastic cap is black about one and a half inches in diameter (no metric) then it's a camshaft cap, which would explain the oil loss.

Caused by pressure in the crankcase not being able vent due to blocked breather filters or the pin hole restrictions.

Fit a new cam cap from Rimmer's, dry, or an oil seal from DMGRS, and remedy the breather system.

Regards

If your big end bearings are still OK you are very, very lucky.

! kilometre with no oil pressure will easily melt them.

The RED oil light you saw meant--------STOP NOW-------and not drive home.

The oil is the blood in your car and it all leaked out.---If all your blood leaked out would you still walk home ??---:eek::eek::eek:

I hope, for your sake, your engine doesn't rattle when next you start it up.---Good luck.--:D

These camshaft caps have been discussed many times on here . They are not easy to fit correctly after being removed, usually for cambelt replacement ,and if not fitted correctly they will inevitably fall out . A blocked breather system will indeed help them to make their escape , but is not always present :}

Just had the same a couple of weeks ago. Coldest night of year and next day whilst shopping got a funny smell! Didn't notice immediately but after a bit of shunting round car parks I noticed the oilslick behind me. Oil light never came on and lost about 2.5 litres of oil.

I opted to replace with the the camshaft seal type rather than cap type. Bought a couple of seals from DGMRS part no. LUC100290. Mine was the front one which is a battle for access but seems to be holding.


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a5206c1a_c.jpg20210109_151928 by Tam Ogilvy, on Flickr


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3bacde65_c.jpg20210109_154542 by Tam Ogilvy, on Flickr


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...c0d248bd_c.jpg20210207_143209 by Tam Ogilvy, on Flickr

Thank you all for your replies, been reading it and got smarter doing both reading and looking.


It is the cap and it is the one at the opposite side of the airfilter. I took some pictures, will post them tomorrow.
Cleaned it up, smeared with reinzosil (my standby for these cases) and pushed it back in.


The plan is to put oil in, start it up, look and listen and then get some of the breather hoses loose. Which one should I start with?

Are there any hoses coming from the crankcase, maybe conveniently blocked from sight?


Well, as for driving with red lights on...
I took the risk. Not for the first time. Last time this went bad was in 1989.




And where is that 'thank you'-button?