Category: Engine

Multi-lobe rotary pumps are the most common type of oil pump. Externally mounted oil pumps usually have the oil filter attached to the pump body. If the oil pump is fitted to the outside of the engine, you may be able to reach it from under the bonnet. If not, apply the handbrake and support the engine end of the car on axle stands. Chock the other wheels. On externally mounted pumps, remove the oil filter (See How to drain engine oil and remove filter). On engines where the pump…

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Compressing a valve spring. Support the cylinder-head assembly firmly on a suitable bench or work surface. See that there is sufficient space to store parts as they are removed, and cardboard boxes and clean newspaper available to keep them clean and safe. Undo the nuts or bolts securing the inlet manifold to the side of the cylinder head; remove it, complete with carburettor if possible. On some engines, the carburettor is unbolted and removed before you can gain access to the manifold nuts or bolts (See Exhaust manifold gasket replacement).…

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Smear the outer face of the sealing ring with clean engine oil. Screw on the filter by hand only. Fitting a new disposable cartridge is a simple task, but you must make sure that the new sealing ring that comes with it is correctly fitted in its proper place, on the inner end of the cartridge. Smear its outer face with clean engine oil. Screw the cartridge into the side of the crankcase by hand until the sealing ring just contacts the flange, then tighten it another three-quarters of a…

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Check the oil level against the marks engraved on the dipstick. The car should be on level ground when you check the oil, otherwise the oil-level dipstick will show a false reading because the sump into which it is dipped will be at an angle. The dipstick is usually in a tube on the side of the engine, where it is easy to reach. Before pulling out the dipstick, always clean its handle and the top of the filler tube to stop dirt falling into the tube, and so into…

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Unscrew the rocker-cover nuts or bolts; do not over tighten when refitting. The rocker cover may be fixed by nuts or bolts at the flange. Undo the nuts or screws holding the rocker cover to the top of the head. Carefully lift off the cover. If it sticks, tap the side gently with a soft-faced hammer. Set the cover upside-down on clean newspaper to catch oil drips. You may need to loosen the rocker-shaft support pedestal nuts or bolts gradually in sequence, then remove them. Lift off the rocker shaft…

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A typical rubber front mounting on a longitudinally mounted engine; one of a pair, clearly visible from above. Check with the engine running. Pull the throttle linkage of the carburettor so that the engine speeds up for a moment. As it does so, watch the mountings; as the engine suddenly rocks on the mountings, any cracks or unbonded areas should open up. Repeat with the engine switched off by rocking the engine by hand on its mountings. An engine that is mounted longitudinally usually has two front mountings, which are…

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