HELP- New to model A's
 

I recently bought my second model A. Me and my wife are new to older car arena though we both have loved older cars. The model A coupe deluxe I bought for my wife has a significant oil leak coming from right behind the oil pan. I took some pictures but not sure you'll be able to see. Anyway I took the little 1/2 moon panel off that is right behind the oil pan and leak appears to be coming from where it looks like it runs into the tranny. I attached a couple of photos but not sure if you can access them. I have read some about the oil cap-- mine just slides right onto oil filler tube. Any help ???

Re: HELP- New to model A's
 

Welcome to the barn! It's prably a rear main oil leak. Super common on a lot of our vehicles. I'm sure you'll hear lots of recommendations from folks on here but there's also lots of info if you search the old topics regarding this issue.

Re: HELP- New to model A's
 

The oil return pipe should screw into the cap. If it is plugged then it will leak. Have you checked the clearances yet?

Mike

Re: HELP- New to model A's
 

Here's pic of my oil cap and tube. The cap just slides onto it. I don't see any return line??

Re: HELP- New to model A's
 

How bad is the leak? Cover the garage floor or just a drip? If just a drip, Model A's are known for "marking their territory". Some of the guys on this site will give you some good advise on how to check this out. Otherwise if it is a small leak, maybe just a rug under the car when you park it may take care of it. The vendors also sell a "diaper" that you can bolt on the flywheel housing to keep the drip from falling on the floor. Good luck and have fun with your new "toy".

Re: HELP- New to model A's
 

Having hard time getting pictures to post??

Re: HELP- New to model A's
 

Mike was talking about the oil drain pipe on the rear main bearing cap.

On your oil fill cap, just look under the cover and you should see 3 or 4 tab that stop the cap from being press on so far it blocks off the air flow.

Re: HELP- New to model A's
 

It's a substantial leak there were probably 20 drops when I backed in driveway and by time I shut it off oil leak on floor of about 3" circle.

Re: HELP- New to model A's
 

Where is the rear bearing cap located-- sorry to sound so dumb just getting to know these things

Re: HELP- New to model A's
 

I think people are jumping to far ahead of you. New to model "A"'s.? Most peoples answers are regarding dropping the oil pan, which it sounds like you are nowhere near that stage yet. That's where the oil pipe and rear main cap is located. Its not easy to make sense of some of the replies when you are new to these cars. Take your time.

Re: HELP- New to model A's
 

Could be as simple as to much oil or as serious as needing new bearings.
Start with the simple stuff first.

Bob

Re: HELP- New to model A's
 

Bob is right start with the easy stuff first. Did you change the oil and possibly added to much. Are you parking on a hill ?

Re: HELP- New to model A's
 

So I know it doesn't have too much oil it's about 1/8" below full on dipstick. The oil almost looks a greenish color more like gear oil. Once I let car warm up it starts to seep from area behind oil pan where there's little 1/2 moon panel. If you increase the Rpms of the engine it starts to leak quite bit more. We live in Montana however spend our winters in az where we are currently so I have very limited tools and space as we rent a house here. Not sure what my next step is as we would like to use it while we are down here in Nice weather.

Re: HELP- New to model A's
 

Not on a hill and parked in flat garage

Re: HELP- New to model A's
 

The easiest thing to do first, would be to drive it at 35 mph or less without the oil fill cap for awhile. If the leak stops, the cap was sealing the oil fill tube, causing oil to be forced out of the rear.

Re: HELP- New to model A's
 

Will do that next-- thanks will post my results

Re: HELP- New to model A's
 

It is a bad rear main bearing. Buy Les Andrews' red book. Available from most suppliers, and from mafca.com publcations.

Re: HELP- New to model A's
 

What makes you 100% sure it's a bad bearing -- just wondering ??

Re: HELP- New to model A's
 

If none of the above suggestions work it's time to pull the pan. Oil running down the pan is usually a pan seal, running out the clutch housing drain a bearing issue. What as far as dripping can you live with until fix-it time? I would pull the pan on any unknown history of cleaning anyway.

John

Re: HELP- New to model A's
 

It sounds like a clogged oil tube to me too. But as someone said, that requires pulling down the oil pan, a big job. It's a stupid little tube about four inches long and it is threaded into the rear main bearing cap. It doesn't look important at all! However. Make sure there's a gasket between the flywheel housing and the engine block. I know it sounds weird to have a gasket between these two parts but there's a reason for it. It seals the back of the camshaft. If the engine or transmission was recently removed by the previous owner, he may have left the gasket out, not realizing the importance of it.