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MG MGA - Containing Oil Drips

Like many of you I keep drip trays under the car to catch all that oil that leaks out of many MGA orifices. Mercifully, my leaks are very few and far between with the 1800 engine and 5-speed box.

However, a tip I was given many years ago and that I use to great effect is to fill the trays with cat litter. It is also good for sprinkling over pooled oil, spilt while taking off oil filters etc.

I believe cat litter is cheaper than motor trade proprietary products and is much easier to get hold of down at your local pet shop.

Steve
Steve Gyles

I do exactly the same and it work with great.
Tysen

Steve,

After the cat uses the litter you have to wash the cat in detergent to get the oil out of the fur.

Mick
Mick Anderson

Thanks Mick, I've got a dog!

I'm just waiting for Terry Drinkwater to come back with some comments about his milking parlour.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Mick is not so far off, I had to put a screen over the drip pan I was using to keep the cat out of it. I now use a drip pan lined with one of the oil drip carpets. Among other advantages of the carpet is it's dark color - you don't see the drips, therefore, you don't worry about them. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

The only real drip I have is from the rear scroll. My solution to containing the drip was to fashion an alluminum pan to the bottom of the bell housing. I stuff a spounge on the tray and it collects the drips. Now I can park in any driveway and not leave a mark.
Kris
Kris Sorensen

For years, I set drip pans under my leaky cars to protect the concrete. Then my wife bought me a "Park Smart" mat to park on. About once a week, I wipe up the little puddles of oil and that's about all it takes. The small size is fine for an MG--I still have a foot or two all the way 'round the car. It's easy to move and it's tough enough to set jackstands on to support the car during maintenance.
R. L Carleen

I wear my garage oil drips as a badge of honor!!!
Jim Sutorus

I used to own a (non-MG) leaker that I parked outside on the asphalt/tarmac driveway. The leaking oil used to soften the asphalt nicely. A drip pan wouldn't work outside in the rain/snow so I used to leave a small piece of plywood that I'd park over. The oil would just soak into the plywood. Not the prettiest, but better than having to redo the driveway.

TTFN

Derek Nicholson

Surely you would only use cat litter under a Jaguar?
As you know, my garage/parlour/cowshed is spotless, no jags, no cats no oil leaks, I'll probably eat my words when I get the Twin Cam running !! Went on the MGA South West Day yesterday, some pillock aged about 10 fell complete with mountain bike onto my Coupe front wing, I was parked at the time and got out to survey the damage and exchange pleasantry's, thankfully no damage was done to my car. I threatened him with the death penalty and to try some moving cars ( forgot to tell him to try the motorway traffic ) His father was apologetic and also threatened to kill him. Reminds me of when you reversed into me at Le Mans !


Regards Terry
Terry Drinkwater

Another thought on your oily cat litter, what do you do with it? You can't put it in the bin as it is hazardous waste, it should also be bags and labeled, you can't take it to your local amenity as you need a waste transfer notice, the same goes for your waste oil and filter. I have to pay to have all these things collected and now have to register as a waste producer and pay for the privilidge. I'm not having a go at anybody and take these things seriously, but what does joe public do with their car waste? Only kidding about taking it to your local amenity, this is the corrct thing to do, unless you can find a responsible friendly garage that will take it off your hands. ( They may charge a small fee )




Save the Whales

Terry
Terry Drinkwater

My local municipality has a recycling center that will take used motor oil, gasoline and other hazardous materials free of charge. I do not believe that they will take batteries and tires are also not accepted.

Mark
M Gannon

Good call Terry.

As with Mark our local 'tip' ..err recycling centre has a tank for disposing of old sump oil etc. Not sure about the more solid but contaminated-with-oil waste. Will check that one out.

Glad you got away without any damage to your wing; matches the no damage to your front bumper! - and I never threatened you with the death penalty!

I had less luck about 6 years ago when Practical Classics Magazine sent round a professional photographer to take some shots for their restorations section. His tripod and camera tipped over and dented my driver's door.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Providing the cat litter waste is not to contaminated it can go on the compost heap...JB
J Bray

It may not be so legal anymore, but a little oily cat litter might keep the dust down on a gravel country road.
Tom

My local recycler is paying for used oil again, for a while they charged, now we get 45 cents a gallon for used oil. As long as there is no clorinated solvents in it. 200 gal min.
R J Brown

Like most of us I catch my A's oily discharge in a tray. I feel this cat litter thing is a bit OTT Steve.

I just use an old credit card to scrape the oil into a corner and pour it into my current dirty 5 litre oil container via a large funnel. I leave it draining leaning against a wall until the dripping stops, wipe over with a dirty old greasy cloth. Try it...

Pete
Pete Tipping

flattened cardboard boxes!

At one time Moss?? sold a steel pan with a magnet riveted to the center and some sponge material glued in it. You'd attach it under the drip and leave it there. As you drove, the oil would eventally blow out of the pan.

They stopped selling them before I could order one so I made one out of a large speaker magnet and a pie pan. I worked well, but I can't remember what ever happened to it.
Fred H

I have been quite surpised by the volume of replies to my opener.

It was back in 1998 that I made 2 drip trays out of hardboard with 1.5" x 0.75" battens round the edges. Each tray measured 4ft x 1.5ft. At that time I needed them for my drippy 1500. I filled them with a bag each of the cat litter and have never had to change them since. Whenever there has been an odd oil spill I just stir the litter around a bit and witin a day or 2 it is bone dry. Now with the 1800 I barely get a drip. I swear by the stuff, not cost me a penny nor a credit card since the initial purchace 8 years ago. Rarely any mess to clear up, nor flattened cardboard to change occasionally. In fact it just seems to be self-sustaining.

Steve
Steve Gyles

This thread was discussed between 09/07/2006 and 13/07/2006

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