Losing Oil

[GICarey]

Hi Folks,

Since the last oil change 6 or so months ago, I've noticed that our Bongo is losing oil.

Previously she'd go between services (roughly every 9 months) without needing a top-up, barring one occasion where a poor or poorly fitted oil filter meant I was leaving a train where ever I went for a few days (soon rectified by the garage).

Upon inspection, I notice that the oil filter has a coating of oil across the bottom. Wiping it clean, and attempting to tighten (by hand; I couldn't) and waiting a few days, I noticed it back again when I did check.

Poking around elsewhere, I've also noticed what appears to be some black gunge on the lower half of the engine block on the drivers side (lower than what I think is the the inlet manifold). In the centre of this photo. Can't really tell but the black is shiny/wet looking. https://www.dropbox.com/s/m16lxbdp8erov ... .34.53.jpg and https://www.dropbox.com/s/depjwdo50x5mo ... .34.45.jpg

Is this the 'famous' EGR valve gunge, and safely ignored? or something worse which I should worry myself about?

For the time being I've topped up and will keep an eye on it, may try to get a new oil filter and fit see if that resolves. Anything else I should check? consider?

Many thanks!

Regards,

Gavin.

[Northern Bongolow]

thats the front camshaft oil seal leaking, then running down he head front, then it tracks rear as the engine is slightly tilted back.

they nearly all do this as they are age hardened.

12-601 in this link.

http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... o=.html#17.

more urgent is the jubilee in the pic this will leak it should be a clip like this.

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=h ... 25&ndsp=34

these allow for expansion and contraction, a jubilee is a fixed dia.

[GICarey]

Thanks NB.

(Appols for delay in responding).

Jubilee clip, I suspect, will have been put in place by Discount Trucks back in 2009 when the recon engine was put in following a head gasket failure. Shall look to replace with normal clips when I next do work on the cooling system.

Thanks for the info on the Camshaft Oil Seal - so, given 'they all do this', is it worth getting it attended to? Or simply leave it as is? If worth getting it sorted, any idea on the efforts involved?

Also, again given they all do it, fair to assume that the loss I'm seeing (c1pt in a week or so) is unrelated, and most likely related to the leak I've found around the oil filter? Think I may grab a new filter locally and swap it on, see if that 'magically' resolves things.

G.

[rita]

Worthwhile changing the filter and make sure the new one is Tightened Properly.

Re the Jubilee clip I would agree with "Discount Trucks "I have been fitting Jubilee clips for longer that I care to remember...no probs,I actually prefer them "Proper Jubilee" to the Wire type.