Technical Tappet cover oil leak

[darron]

Hi there

I have an 1100 Uno. I have replaced the tappet cover gasket twice. The second time I even put some Hylomar on it, but the dam thing still leaks oil in the one corner nearest the distributor. I have also replaced the o ring on the distributor. Am I missing something? Where else must I look?

Please help.

Darron.

 

[alexGS]

Hello Darron,

Welcome to the forum! :wave:

Generally I think we call the tappet cover the "cam cover" on the 1100 engines, since these are overhead-cam. Tappet cover tends to mean the same as "rocker cover" and applies to the 903cc pushrod engine. But I guess that's splitting hairs

Seriously though, are you talking about the 1108cc FIRE (alloy cover) or 1116cc (pressed steel cover)?

If the latter (used on '84-'89 Uno 55/60 models), then be aware that the steel cover often becomes distorted - it's worth checking that it's flat.

In both cases, I suggest a new gasket before you do anything else. The gasket is readily available, and cheap. It's actually a rubber seal for the FIRE engine, and a rubbery-gasket for the 1116cc. I've lost count of the times where I've tried to seal-up an existing gasket with Hylomar, Loctite master gasket, silicone sealant, etc. and failed. A new gasket works every time and costs about the same as a tube of silicone sealant.

Whereabouts in the world are you? If you happen to be in New Zealand, send me a private message and I can put you in touch with my favourite suppliers.

Cheers,
-Alex

 

[Scuderia]

Hi darron, they can be a real pain to seal at times and the only advice i could give you would be to take the cam cover off again and use instant gasket at the corners over each end of the cam as this is where it is most possibly leaking from,another little tip is to put a little instant gasket in the recess in places where the cam gasket sites into to help keep it in place when you turn it over to set it down onto the engine as sometimes they move and pop out giving you a bad seal,i hope this helps all the best

Scuderia

 

[jjhepburn]

It could also be the oil seal inside the distributer. Its a special size so you need to get it from a FIAT parts specialist.

 

[Chas Uno]

It could also be the oil seal inside the distributer. Its a special size so you need to get it from a FIAT parts specialist.

If it's an 1116cc mk1 then the disributor will be at the front of the engine block

 

[jjhepburn]

He mentioned changing the Distributor O-ring so I'm assuming its the 1108cc FIRE in which case he might want to replace the internal seal as well.


I cant believe I'm the only Uno geek to pick-up on that hint...

 

[jjhepburn]

I also had another thought...

Check the oil drain holes aren't blocked... they are pretty big holes but you never know...

 

[Chas Uno]

He mentioned changing the Distributor O-ring so I'm assuming its the 1108cc FIRE in which case he might want to replace the internal seal as well.


I cant believe I'm the only Uno geek to pick-up on that hint...

Oops!