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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - TF oil filter leak

For the second time in six weeks I walked into the garage and saw a trail of oil under the TF (Chasis #7452). I traced it to the oil filter. Some years ago I converted from the original canister style to a spin-on using the Moss conversion. The first time it failed, I found that the rubber seal between the original mounting base and the conversion fitting had failed--it seemed to be split. Moss couldn't provide a new seal without my purchasing an entire conversion kit, so I found a seal with a replacement cartridge filter that I had never used. In both cases, the rubber seal was wider than the slot milled into the filter base so that when the conversion plate was tightened down the rubber was subject to sheer stress, and eventually split.

My question is whether anyone knows of a source for a slightly narrower rubber seal that will fit properly in the filter base.

I will appreciate any suggestions.
Michael Munson

Have seen 'large' O rings about the right size, but don't know if that would do... I know Jag filters come with an O ring instead of our square one???
Every time I get a filter I end up with two rings (I don't replace the little one every time...figure once every 4 or 5 oil changes is more then plenty!)
gblawson - TD#27667

Michael,

Is your filter the OE or the after-market one?

In the OE one, it is possible to have more than one o-ring in the cavity. When removing the bowl to change the media, it is possible to leave the old o-ring in and not notice it. When the bowl is replaced with a new o-ring, it gets twisted or similar and there is no effective seal.

The after-market spin-on type seals are much better and are easy to see as they form part of the base of the actual media.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.

Gordon A. Clark

Gordon. I did convert to the spin-on filter. Thr leak I am having iw where the spin-on conversion plate beds against the original filter base. The rubber seal provided does not fit into the original slot. A new one will seal for a awhile, but because it partly overlaps the edge of the slot, it eventually splits. I am trying to find a rubber seal that fits into the slot so the conversion plate will properly bed on top of it.
Michael
Michael Munso

Buy the oriignal repacement filter, they come with several gaskets, one of which is correct for the slot in the TF.
Be sure that you remove all the old gaskets from the groove!
Don Harmer

The OE seals were not O-rings. As I recall, they were like rubber bands - flat.

If your conversion was manufactured by Bob Grunau, you can contact him for more help. www.grunau.garage@sympatico.com

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A. Clark

The filter for a M-B 190 comes with an O-ring. It just might be the right size. I don't know --never tried it, but worth a look.
P.S.
We're planning in being in Bennington for "MGs In Benn." Aug 2-5.
David Werblow

Thanks for all of your thoughts. It turns out that Abbingdon Spares has a part listed that fits perfectly. Problem solved--until next time.
Michael
Michael Munson

Hi all - Michael you raise an interesting point , certainly as far as the UK is concerned. Assuming an OE filter, back in the 70's they came with three flat type seals - the TD-TFs used the middle sized one, MGAs & early MGBs (and many BMC 'B' series engines)the largest one. The smallest one was I believe for a non MG application. In the 80s & 90s I had an MGA but prudently kept the seals I didn't then need which is just as well since I now have a TF !

The filters are readily available, Mahle an Austrian make, being the standard type available at my local motor factor, but they only come with the large and smallest size seal. At auto meets I pick up old filters whenever I can as long as they have the three seals in the box ! So I've got quite a few spare seals which although tended to be replaced every oil change in the 'Old Days', can in fact can be left in unless they leak.

Don Harmer and Gordon Clark's point about the old seal is well made, and the favourite way of removing the old was with a drawing set compass point. A good 'tool' to seat the new one was with a wooden lolly (popsicle?) stick just the right size and commonly available ! It appears the middle size seal is readily available in the States when buying the filter?, although I suspect the specialist dealers in the UK will also have them, at a price !

Cheers John.



J.C Mitchell

The tool I used was a small V wood carving tool... sharp enough to cut the rubber, and pointed enough to get underneath and 'scoop' out the old one...worked like a charm!
gblawson - TD#27667

This thread was discussed between 24/07/2007 and 06/08/2007

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