I'm in the process of fixing engine oil leaks while doing a gearbox change....No 1 main bearing cap appears to be leaking at the seal points where it is supposed to mate with the sump gasket, I think someone has replaced the sump gasket previously and may have damaged those seals, so used some orange coloured silicon type (I think) gasket sealant but this hasn't done the job.
I have the box out, the flywheel off and the sump off (engine still in car), and have the little 'matchstick' type seals to fix the leaks...however, my attempts to undo the No1 main bearing cap bolts have me wondering if they are left hand thread. I see no mention of that in the Haynes book, but I used a breaker bar with socket and estimate that I would have applied at least 150 ft/lbs of torque which should have been more than enough to budge them. Each made the release 'crack' sound/feel as I applied the torque initially (probably at about 100 ft/lbs), so I thought I had them, but then nothing happened as more torque was applied. I don't want to go too much further with torque before checking that they are not left hand. Unfortunately, I don't have an impact driver. If any one has any info, I'd appreciate it....I don't really actually want to remove the cap, as it creates all sorts of risks, but it seems to me it's the only way to fix the leak.
I have the box out, the flywheel off and the sump off (engine still in car), and have the little 'matchstick' type seals to fix the leaks...however, my attempts to undo the No1 main bearing cap bolts have me wondering if they are left hand thread. I see no mention of that in the Haynes book, but I used a breaker bar with socket and estimate that I would have applied at least 150 ft/lbs of torque which should have been more than enough to budge them. Each made the release 'crack' sound/feel as I applied the torque initially (probably at about 100 ft/lbs), so I thought I had them, but then nothing happened as more torque was applied. I don't want to go too much further with torque before checking that they are not left hand. Unfortunately, I don't have an impact driver. If any one has any info, I'd appreciate it....I don't really actually want to remove the cap, as it creates all sorts of risks, but it seems to me it's the only way to fix the leak.