MGB, MG B, 1963: ENGINE OIL LEAK FIX FOR A PCV EQUIPPED MGB; HOW CHANGING MY OIL CAP FIXED OIL DRIPS

MG MGB Overview: My experience with an MGB and discovering that something as simple as an oil cap is important in the operation of an MGB engine and how I came to that realization.
Topics Discussed: 1963 Mark 1 MGB, 13 row oil cooler, vacuum advance, emergency brake, signal lever, gaskets, side covers, PCV valves, positive crankcase ventilation, manifolds, studs, ordering parts, oil leaks, safety, vented oil caps, oil caps, brakes
Images: 13 row oil cooler, MGB engine, PCV valve, vacuum advance line, side covers KZbin. Vintage and classic British roadster.

[@chrisadams6595]

Great video and really helpful, my Mom gave me her mgb GT in 2017, she bought it in 1977 when it was three years old (it's a 74 chrome bumper car). The oil consumption was 70 miles to the pint. The first thing I did was buy a compression tester. All four cylinders were all about 90psi. So I started to drive it as much as possible. Over a couple of thousand miles the blue smoke stopped coming out the back and the consumption reduced to about 250 miles per pint and compression pressures are now about 140psi per cylinder. Lots of oil leaks , so I cleared the breathers out according to a John Twist video. Instantly so much better and now we are doing 500 miles to a pint. I'm sure some unscrupulous mechanics would have told me that I needed to rebuild the engine. Anyway keep up the good work 👍

[@robertdavidson3090]

Also I love the Iris blue paint.

[@robertdavidson3090]

Thank you for this informative video. I am in a situation now where I need to clean out th wire gause in the front inspection cover as I know I have pressure buildup. My car however is a 1977 with a conversion to carbs that are from the mid 1960's like yours. However I have a anti run on valve along with a charcoal cannister. When I get thsis fixed my mileage should change and leaks should become minimal. The added vacuum due to the more enclosed system I believe has contributed to a moderate decreas in mileage.

[@tkreitler]

I had the same issue with oil leaks on my 67. One of the previous owners had deleted the PCV system. Like you, I went down the PCV rabbit hole on MGE. After replacing the system and filler cap, the leaks (the ones caused by lack of PCV) are gone. You have excellent lighting in your garage.

[@mgbsandotherstuff2982]

Yep, I’ve been down lots of rabbit holes myself, always ends up being simpler than I thought. LED lights in the garage help a lot. Thanks for the comment

[@MrBluoct]

That lighter color really assists with how that engine bay presents and “ brightens” any relatable tasks as compared to my once owed dark blue, 3-wiper, chrome bumpered, low-n-go , wire wheeled 69’ Interesting videos and a great MGB! These cars are a blast to drive! At one time, I had hoped to acquire one with an overdrive unit and a hardtop option I did note that attentive maintenance of my brake master cylinder was a recurring issue And the cables and pivot points related to the heater controls benefitted from lubrication as the cables can function while “stretching” and not ideally functioning as they should - the interior heating levers appear to pivot open/ closed as where assigned to “heat”, but within the engine compartment the cables “ hang up” if not maintained / lubricated and therefore impedes heating properties to nearly zero Premium steering rack bushings made all the difference All too often drove with two passengers and also with the top down all winter long using a zipped up tonneau NE USA

[@mgbsandotherstuff2982]

Thanks Finn, driving is the best part of the MGB. I am always surprised on how different it handles when I'm driving solo. I love the way it leans into a corner and slowly levels out again.

[@BlueOsprey90]

I liked your laid back, studious presentation. By comparison, whenever I post anything about my MG, I think I sound almost insane!

[@alantodd7633]

We have an "Iris" too here in France, she's a 1964 iris blue but built in 1963 with her original 3 bearing engine. Love her. Very interesting vlog. Keep up the good worl.

[@mgbsandotherstuff2982]

Thanks for the comment Alan. I thnk the Iris colour was more popular in the early years. This first production MGB completed was a left hand drive Iris blue roadster.

[@alantodd7633]

@@mgbsandotherstuff2982 Yes my car was imported into France from the US. It was made in 1963 as the first registration was Jan 1st 1964.

[@americanpatriot2422]

Outstanding video and presentation.

[@mgbsandotherstuff2982]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@dona6891]

If I'm not mistaken the rear of the rear view mirror of that year was a golden color. My dad's 63 or 64 was. If you look in the moss color cataloge of the mirrors you can see what I mean. I originally thought it was from cigarette smoke,glade I didn't clean it. Have a 76 and 70 B. Working on them now, enjoy your videos. Thanks Warren from Vermont.

[@mgbsandotherstuff2982]

Thanks for the comment Warren. I am going to post a video soon on bits and peices that I left out of other videos. I will include a short bit on this peice of "jewellery". Dave from Ontario.

[@stecam]

Yes, my ‘68 has a gold backed mirror.

[@grahamepigney8565]

For anybody with experience of A and B series engines the need for the corect, and clean, oil cap is a given. Hardly a hidden fact.

[@williamshelton9688]

Thanks…"the cleanest engine bay I’ve ever seen . I’m in the process of replacing the tappet covers with a one piece unit from Basil Adams which is touted to seal much better .

[@mgbsandotherstuff2982]

Thanks for both comments William. I’ve not seen the one piece unit but I look it up. Sounds like a good fix. Smokinly yours, Dave.

[@redbarchetta8782]

It's all about your crankcase venting. If you don't have your setup right it will affect your engine performance much like a vacuum leak. Which it can be as well.

[@mgbsandotherstuff2982]

Excellent point. I hadn’t realized how important ventilation was until I dove into it. It really is a wonder how internal combustion engines work and the evolution of the engineering that goes into them.

[@sdanen4]

Very good video Learned so much Thanks very much I have a ‘66 I just acquired in May Many things to do !

[@mgbsandotherstuff2982]

Thanks, just when I think everything is done something else comes up. It' an endless learning process but that's half the fun.

[@anthonyhfe6450]

Nice yard! Thnx for the video. Interesting stuff !

[@user-dg2zn8pm2n]

Very good information many thanks, Mick MGB 1967.

[@mgbsandotherstuff2982]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@grahamepigney8565]

UK cars don't have an "emergency brake", they do have a handbrake and a foot brake. The handbrake is intended to hold the care securely while it is stationary

[@garypeatling7927]

Putting coil up other way is good idea to stop oil leaking out , never seen non vented cap might be an export thing

[@mgbsandotherstuff2982]

Thanks for the comment Gary. This is a very good link to PCV and oil caps, the site provides an excellent description and pictures of the different configurations. www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/cb.htm

[@lanceneuman9528]

I will order a new "filter" cap for my '67 BGT based on your recommendations, mine is original and has over 130K miles so perhaps it's time.

[@mgbsandotherstuff2982]

Thanks for the comment. Check this website out; www.mgexp.com/article/mgb-pcv-systems.153. It explains the differences in oil caps from year to year. It all depends on the pcv setup. I think that some engines that fall within the years of vented oil caps may have been modified so that a vented cap is not required. This site provides an excellent description and pictures of the different configurations. www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/cb.htm

[@lanceneuman9528]

@@mgbsandotherstuff2982 I will certainly check them out. However, I have a similar engine to yours - GB series with the same PCV valve. I should probably clean mine out as you have. Thanks for the kind reply.

[@grahamepigney8565]

You can always flush out the filler/filter cap with petrol.

[@NZbird]

Pure gold, thank you!!! My BGT engine doesn't have a PCV but I'm wondering whether a vented cap might still be beneficial in reducing crankcase pressure. I have a slight weep from the front pushrod cover. The emphasis is on "slight" so to date, I've avoided carb and manifold removal to fix it properly. Maybe next winter... Thanks so much for the timely warning to buy more parts than might strictly be necessary for doing this job. NZ is right at the end of a long supply line. Cheers, Geoff

[@mgbsandotherstuff2982]

Thanks for the comment. Not sure if a vented cap would do much for your situation. Only if your GT runs the same configuration as mine. The only fresh air that gets into my system is from the cap with the setup I have. I think exclusively for 1965 to early 1968 engines. Check this website out; www.mgexp.com/article/mgb-pcv-systems.153. It explains the differences between the years.

[@redbarchetta8782]

You can setup a simple system with a draft tube off the tappet cover and a vented cap. Mine is an HIF so I have the side cover vent going to the ports before the throttle plates on the carbs and a vented cap. All I did since then was add a oil catch can to the setup. Others use PVCs etc. There are at least 4 or more types of PCV systems for an MGB year depending.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

Thanks for the information on the oil cap. Also you have two "rare" metal brake and clutch master cylinder canister metal screw caps. These are original. Usually replaced with white nylon plastic. Metal ones are available at "handsome" prices.

[@mgbsandotherstuff2982]

That's one of the things I love about this car, it shows it's age . I find the whole thing it quite beautiful in its simplicity. It may be silly, but my favourite part of this car is the original rear view mirror. It may be a little tarnished but I think of it a little piece of jewellery.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

@@mgbsandotherstuff2982 Mine has a small chip on the edge, It will remain.

[@wesrogerson185]

Great video! Did you have to drain all the oil to remove the side covers, or does the oil sit happily below in the sump? I have a 78 UK MBG which has no pollution control (wasn't required on UK models) mine has a strange metal oil cap, and seems to leak even from there. May check out replacing that.

[@mgbsandotherstuff2982]

Thanks, the oul does sit happily in the oil pan (sump). The lack of excessive pollution control is great for perfromance. Is yous fitted with a draft tube?

[@1960jammy]

Thanks for the video! Do you have a 3 or 5 bearing engine? I have a 3 bearing engine and I have a small oil leak.👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@mgbsandotherstuff2982]

My engine is not original to the car and is a 5 bearing, probably from 1964/65.

[@hughcolemanjr61]

Plastic fuel filter under the hood is bad news. Near the exhaust is even worse.

[@jeffreydelk2361]

I would invest in a Bentley MGB Factory Workshop Manual. It is much more detailed and accurate than your Haynes Manual. 👍

[@mgbsandotherstuff2982]

Thanks Jeffery, I think I will make that investment. I have a few things to do when the weather warms up and it will come in handy.

[@squirrels103]

Typical Hayes speak is: Having removed the engine.....

[@mgbsandotherstuff2982]

PCV valves, side covers and vented oil caps resources for MGBs: Excellent nformation on these site 👍👍👍 www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/cb.htm#ocap 👍👍👍 www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/enginetext.htm#breathing 👍👍👍 mgaguru.com/mgtech/engine/cv102.htm 👍👍 www.mgexp.com/article/mgb-pcv-systems.153

[@troffymoff]

I have a 63 mgb it does not have the pcv valve, i am pretty sure they started pcv valves in 1965.

[@mgbsandotherstuff2982]

You are correct. My engine is a 65. I think the original engine was too far gone and the guy who restored it had a 5 bearing main 65 with overdrive and a body that was too far gone.

[@mgbsandotherstuff2982]

You are correct. I keep forgetting that I should clarify about the year of the car the body is a 63 (mostly) but the engine is out of a 65. The guy I bought it off of and who restored it in 2020 said the engine was in pretty rough shape. He had a 1965 five bearing main with an overdrive unit that came out of a rust bucket so he rebuilt that one and installed it instead.