ZT-T 190 massive oil leak

eggmanben · 18th February 2021, 08:17

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...

Mike Noc · 18th February 2021, 08:35

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

eggmanben · 18th February 2021, 08:48

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...

SD1too · 18th February 2021, 09:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by eggmanben

It's on the back of the engine, just underneath the rear bank on the right hand side.

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

vitesse · 18th February 2021, 09:47

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

COLVERT · 18th February 2021, 13:46

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 ??---

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

chris75 · 18th February 2021, 15:13

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

bl52krz · 18th February 2021, 20:08

Is it the oil seal on the end of the camshaft? Should not happen but if you have given it a thrashing down the autobahn around the 5/6000 rpm, and the breather system has not been cleaned out, and the small hole in the camshaft chamber head is blocked, you will get a buildup of pressure in the engine and possibly blow the camshaft oilseal out.

Tam · 18th February 2021, 21:10

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.

20210109_151928 by Tam Ogilvy, on Flickr

20210109_154542 by Tam Ogilvy, on Flickr

20210207_143209 by Tam Ogilvy, on Flickr

eggmanben · 18th February 2021, 21:55

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?

18th February 2021, 08:17	#1
eggmanben Newbie MG ZT-T Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Köln Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	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...

18th February 2021, 15:13	#7
chris75 same car since 2005 2001 Rover 75 2.0 v6 Connoisseur Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ellesmere Port , Cheshire Posts: 3,811 Thanks: 379 Thanked 549 Times in 466 Posts	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 __________________ Who said it was simples ?

18th February 2021, 20:08	#8
bl52krz This is my second home Rover 75 cdt club + Rover 2.5 KV6 Conni SE Join Date: May 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 11,386 Thanks: 6,587 Thanked 2,262 Times in 1,729 Posts	Is it the oil seal on the end of the camshaft? Should not happen but if you have given it a thrashing down the autobahn around the 5/6000 rpm, and the breather system has not been cleaned out, and the small hole in the camshaft chamber head is blocked, you will get a buildup of pressure in the engine and possibly blow the camshaft oilseal out. __________________ Great Barr, Birmingham.

18th February 2021, 21:10	#9
Tam Posted a thing or two 05 ZT+, 04 ZT+, 64 P6 2.0, 74 P6 V8s, 75 P6 V8, 92 214Si, 04 25 Td, 02 Defend , 05 ZR 105+ x2 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kirriemuir Posts: 1,319 Thanks: 701 Thanked 203 Times in 136 Posts	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. 20210109_151928 by Tam Ogilvy, on Flickr 20210109_154542 by Tam Ogilvy, on Flickr 20210207_143209 by Tam Ogilvy, on Flickr __________________ Lagoon, last one built! And Horizon 1 of only 2!....MY CARS

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18th February 2021, 08:35	#2
Mike Noc This is my second home Rover 75 CDT Manual Connoisseur SE, Rover 75 CDT Automatic Connoisseur SE & a Freelander Td4. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hampshire Posts: 11,547 Thanks: 3,470 Thanked 3,119 Times in 2,247 Posts	Welcome along. Either not fitted correctly or crankcase breathing is blocked and excess pressure is blowing it out.

18th February 2021, 08:48	#3
eggmanben Newbie MG ZT-T Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Köln Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	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...

18th February 2021, 09:47	#5
vitesse I really should get out more....... Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Gävle Posts: 2,528 Thanks: 395 Thanked 823 Times in 652 Posts	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

18th February 2021, 13:46	#6
COLVERT This is my second home R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France/or Devon. Posts: 14,003 Thanks: 3,851 Thanked 2,167 Times in 1,816 Posts	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 ??--- I hope, for your sake, your engine doesn't rattle when next you start it up.---Good luck.--

18th February 2021, 21:55	#10
eggmanben Newbie MG ZT-T Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Köln Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	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?