Advice needed on running problems and leaking cylinder

[Filbyflyer]

Have you checked the slow running jet (on the front of the solex carb)?

Just a thought

David
1159

[Ken Hanna]

Highwaylass,
the only way I can imagine that oil could be getting down around the lower cylinder head stud is if the nut at the top end of the stud was loose.
You'll need to remove the rocker cover to check this; there are 3 cylinder head (securing) studs on each head, all of which should be torqued up to 17 or 18 lb.ft. when the engine is cold.

A couple of photographs to help identify the parts mentioned above. Sorry about the poor picture of the underside of the engine, but it was still in the wheelbarrow and my back was a bit borderline the other day, but that serves me right for lifting a 2CV bodyshell onto a chassis on my own...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/30132857@N06/13903793581/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/30132857@N06/13903816371/

Ken

That does sound exactly like what is happening. I will try the spare and look at moving it - would the bulkhead be sensible?
The leak seems to be from the underside of the join, where there is the top of the pushrod tubes and another rod, which the oil is running down.

[Highwaylass]

Thanks, Ken and Fil!

Ken, I will check that. Is there any chance the pushrod tube could be split?

[Ken Hanna]

Highwaylass,
put it this way, in 34 years of working with these engines, I've only once found one pushrod tube which had corroded through...
However, I have found problems with pushrod tubes which had been replaced, after the original items had been damaged by folk being a bit careless when fitting cylinder heads back onto engines.
As part of that job, the new tube needs to be expanded to seal tightly into the bore in the head and when that step hasn't been taken, the tubes can move outwards, away from the crankcase.
If that happens, there can be leakage of oil around the tube.

To check, you'd need to degrease the area with carburettor or brake cleaner, then run the engine at a fast tickover whilst keeping a close watch on the area where the tubes exit the head.
A mirror would be useful, given the awkward location...

It would be much easier to first check that nut on the cylinder head stud; 12mm (across the flats) is the spanner size for the nut holding the rocker cover and also the nuts on the head studs.

Thanks, Ken and Fil!

Ken, I will check that. Is there any chance the pushrod tube could be split?

[notsmartcar]

I've had 3 leak in the last year I couldn't get on with the new tubes as they were to big so used spare old ones with loctite and an explanding rawlplug to lock it in the head

[trikehound]

Hi All, I have suffered the same problems i.e. cutting out and then restarting, ECAS supply the aftermarket Supercoil, this cures all!easy to fit and lasts for years. Luminition Electronic Ignition,takes away the need for points and condenser,fit once and forget it! GOOD LUCK!

[Highwaylass]

All 3 bolts rather below 17 - 18...i've torqued them up. Fingers crossed!