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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - 1275 Dipstick tube leak

Have a small leak of oil at the base of the plastic tube where it is pressed into the block - have tried a bit of Hermatite blue under the flange but still leaks.
Think I will try a PTFE wrap next or else replace it, not sure if this will resolve as the one I have has lots of ribs that hold it into position fairly well.

Anybody had the problem / cure ?

R.
richard b

The ribs are also there to seal it into the block in what (should be) a negative vacuum area. If its not sealing then rear scroll leaks will be far worse. PTFE tape may work but better would be Stag Wellseal. Check the plastic tube hasn't cracked as they become brittle with age. Also check the leak isn't coming from the dipstick itself which again might point to a bit of crankcase pressurisation.
f pollock

On the later engines you can replace the tube for new if its cracked.

The dipstick on my 1275 midget needed to be flared out where it splits after the resting ring and a suitable washer under this ring to seal off(?) the tube was missing.

A tip, if the tube breaks as you try to remove it (possibly because of impatience and lack of good practice) then do check any extractor you use actually has a wider diameter than the tube before you let go of it to turn it by hand to bite in, otherwise it can drop to the bottom of the sump, guess how I know.
Nigel Atkins

Nigel, not to divert from Richard's question, but is there supposed to be a rubber ring on the dipstick tube?

I've never had one, and wonder if I've been running the oil a bit low. I see Moss sells one, but it looks like it would just lay flat between the resting ring and the block, rather than fit into the hole for the tube.



Mark 1275

Mark,

I believe that that ring goes on the dipstick itself so that it rests on the top of the plastic tube making a seal between the dipstick and the tube.
Martin

What Martian said ^^

http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/shop-by-model/mg/midget/engine/oil-system/external-engine-sprite-iv-midget-iii-1500-1958-66.html

Part number 81.
Jeremy MkIII

Mark,
(as Martian and Jeremy have put)
like many, many parts that are sold now I'm not sure what we are supplied with now are the same as the original part so may not be the correct size or shape but I can't remember what the previous ones looked like so I could be wrong with this particular part.

I previously used something out of my odds and sods box which was a better fit than the washer now supplied but it deteriorated over the years and had to be replaced.

For oil level, I find with my engine that it remains at about 80% up from the minimum line the longest so I don't bother going above this. I've checked I've got the correct dipstick so perhaps the washer I use sits the dipstick wrongly. In the Archives IIRC DavidS put up a photo and measurements of three Spridget dipsticks.
Nigel Atkins

Thank you for the replies.

My plastic tube comes out easily, to the point that it sometimes comes out with the dipstick. I learned a lot in the archives and will certainly add the washer Moss supplies.

Martin, I'm curious if yours is a 1275.

Richard, I'd say you're ahead of me if your ribs hold the tube in position well. Mine is likely original and has earned a rest, but I haven't noticed a leak there.
Mark 1275

Mark,

Yes, my Frog is powered by a slightly warmed over 1275, now at 1310.

Martin

Checked mine when the engine was cold and it wobbles around - my spare engine is solid - probably Osselli reused the old one when the engine was rebuilt some years ago -( my mileage is now so low).

I will try a new one and hope it’s a tight fit.

Yes there should be a rubber washer on the dip stick where it seats onto the tube.
richard b

Richard, if your dipstick tube is showing visible signs of oil seepage where it fits the block, then the fault is that your engine is too well put together! If it was leaking from sump gasket and other places then a small weep from the dipstick tube would simply not be apparent.
GuyW

This thread was discussed between 28/12/2019 and 30/12/2019

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.