Oil Leak from Carter

[lazyduck15]

I just recently joined this forum and I enjoy it. I was surfing in the net for R4 info and I believe this is the one for it. Thank you for your acceptance.
I purchased two R4 in February this year here in a small city near mexico city, where just to be a Renault factory back in the 80`s.
They are 1970 and 1971,One is 845 cc the other one I do not really know as the engine does not have identification and in general this car seems to have several changes on it.
Both engines are leaking oil, apparently trough the carter`s gasket. They really through away the oil at a crazy rate.
The first question being what would be the reason for the leak, a fatal syntom?
or this is just a matter of changing the gasket, at least for the mean time. If such is the case, is it possible to remove the carter while the engine is in the car?
I have dismounted the roll bar and I can see a crossmember in the way of carter removal.
Is it safe to remove this crossmember ?, I have noticed it relates with the front suspension spring bars.

 

[gpovanman]

The CARTER in English is the SUMP. I would think that changing a sump gasket would be a fairly easy job, you have to remember that on a car of that age, many of the gaskets (juntas) may be past their best!

 

[malcolm]

Thanks for the translation. It's fine to remove that crossmember. It bolts to the lower suspension mounting, but can be removed without removing the suspension.

Oil leaks are common from the fuel pump, so if the oil is not coming from the fuel pump it probably is the sump gasket.

 

[lazyduck15]

Thanks gpovanman for your help on my English and technical tip I agree on age effect. Thanks, Clementine for your prompt response. I see no oil coming from the gas pump. I will proceed to remove that crossmember to change the sump gasket.

 

[angel]

Replacing the sump gasket on a R4 with the engine on the car is an AWFUL job!... especially if you are forced to do it lying on your back. I did it once on my Jogging (1108cc) which has rubber gaskets and promised myself to remove the engine the next time, it would be easier! On the 845 I guess it will be far more difficult as the sump gasket consists of four cork pieces. Apart from having to keep them together at the ends, you should watch the small sections that go over the main bearing caps constantly so that they stay curved and sticked to the caps and also that they will not disappear inside the sump when you fit it! Add to this that gravity pulls down the sump,the gaskets,your arms and the bolts,that oil is dripping from all over the engine, and that you cannot actually see these gasket pieces when you fit the sump, and you will realise why it will be better to replace the gasket witht the engine removed and inverted...

 

[lazyduck15]

Angel
Thanks for your advice. I made a try today removing some bolts and trying to manipulate underneath the engine. It is a pain. Think like I agree with you. I realize this is not an easy job, the way I was planning. I did a similar job on a ford truck removing the oil pump, that seems to me now plenty of room compared with my R4 ( took me forever). I know what you mean.
I rather remove the engine. Any pics/tips related to unhooking the wheels will be appreciated. I will search anyway for a thread on engine removal.

 

[Steve Hennessey]

I've never had the 'pleasure' of having to replace the sump gasket on a 4, but if I had to, I would try using the RTV silicon that modern engines use instead of gaskets (not the head or manifold gaskets though). You can apply it from the tube to the thickness you want, let it semi dry and bolt it up. Surfaces have to be pristine clean of oil etc. I had to use it on the Suzuki car I have when replacing the sump and the timing case and was very sceptical, but there are no oil leaks at all.

 

[lazyduck15]

Thanks Hennessey!
I may go that way. I have seen RTV of several colors, I think that migth be based on the application, Is it so?. Or anyone is good enough?

 

[Steve Hennessey]

I have only seen it in one colour, so it may be worth you reading what it says on the packet. Some may be for different applications. I would recommend one that stays pliable rather than one that does not set hard. There again, they may sell it in different colours for cosmetic purposes only!!

Steve