Originally Posted by sospan
My 2002 car had a small leak from a failing sump gasket. It was a cork gasket. Replaced and no more leaks. Car had done 74k miles when sold. Oil leak started to show at about 60k. I put opened out cardboard boxes on the floor under the car. Easy to spot drips and keep the garage floor clean.

You make perfect sense.That sump is the best ever for Rover Plus 8s. I use them on all my Plus 8s. It began with the 3.9s and then continued after Land Rover moved to their cast aluminum horrors around advent of the GEMS era. Like the Roadsters cast sump, they shatter rather than dent. They also carry a welcome litre more oil than any earlier sump. They have one easily curable weakness. Their flanges were designed for just a silicone/RTV/hylomar seal which inevitably leaks. The fix is to use the earlier cork gasket made for earlier sumps..with just a dab of sealer to keep in place while offering it up to the engine. The flanges are the same. Always tighten in the correct sequence.

Most people cause the perception of leaking and add to it every time they change their oil. The correct way to change the filter causes a LOT to drip out and around. However, after installing the filter, they do not bother to spray (brake cleaner) and clean all around the filter and oil pump. They run the car and that oil cover the right side of their engine, their starter and bulkhead.

Another common leak is at the valve covers. People still using the old cor gaskets rather than the newer silicone ones.

L.

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