Sump Leak

[David Stepney]

I have never, ever, done that David.

I make sure the engine is thoroughly clean inside, rebuild carefully and replace 20/50 detergent oil every 2000 miles.

Given that I have had a gap of several decades since my last Seven, and given also that the handbook is less than helpful regarding planned maintenance, I am in the process of developing a 'planned maintenance' procedure for my car.

Basically, this consists of:

1. At 2500 miles: Change engine oil
                           Check gearbox, axle and steering box oils
                           Grease all nipples
                           Check/adjust points and clean plugs and tune engine
                           Oil everything that moves.
                           Check all lights and electrical equipment.
2. At 5000 miles: All of the above plus:
                           Change gearbox and back axle oils
                           Remove sump, Clean gauze filter and refit.
                           New plugs and points.
                           Check antifreeze (Replace every other year)

When I first bought the car, the oil looked clean, but, on removing the sump, I found that there was a thick layer of greasy grey 'crud' in the bottom, which I presumed was all the stuff that had been in suspension in the oil that had gradually sunk to the bottom whilst the car was garaged for 25 years!

I am using a good quality semi-synthetic 10W/40 motor oil in the engine, a good quality mineral 20W/50 in the gearbox and a similar quality SAE140 in the rear axle, steering box and drag link joints. 20W/50 in the oil can for everything else.

Having now done almost 5000 miles in the car so far this year, the 2500 mile service has already been done, and the planned 5000 mile service is due in  about 400 miles.

In this way, I am hoping to keep the car reliable and hopefully to spot any potential problems before they arise!

I hope I am not being too OCD!