Fulvia engine query

[chriswgawne]

I should really know the answer to this but is it possible to drop the sump (to replace the sump to block gasket) on a Fulvia Sedan with the engine and gearbox in situ i.e without removing the engine and/or gearbox?
I had assumed not but then I remembered seeing a post somewhere on this forum in which there is a photo of Simon Ingman changing a Fulvia piston and rod in a car park en-route.
If this is not possible,  what is the easiest way to replace this gasket?
Thanks very much in advance.
Chris

[simonandjuliet]

From very distant memory, you have to remove (loosen) anti roll bar and possibly the subframe member, but current Fulvia owners will know better .... but it is possible without taking engine or box out, just the million-odd bolts to remove - although much quicker if you use a cordless drill with correct allen key extension !

[lancialulu]

Dropping the sump is easy! but this bolts to the crank case not the block so it is a question which gasket do you want to change. The crankcase to block is definitely engine out and major strip down. For the sump as Simon says remove (best) the ARB and the undo the m6 cap bolts holding the sump....

[chriswgawne]

Thanks Simon and Tim,
On closer investigation, my problem is between the block and crankcase so to remedy this properly its engine out.
Thanks again.
Chris

[lancialulu]

If it is oil seepage along the bolt line I have heard this can be cured in situ by sealing the bolts (removing them first one by one) and using a rtv sealant and rebolting.....

[stanley sweet]

What's an RTV sealant?

[lancialulu]

Room Temp Vulcanising ie a good Silicone gasket type sealant..

[fay66]

Thanks Simon and Tim,
On closer investigation, my problem is between the block and crankcase so to remedy this properly its engine out.
Thanks again.
Chris

Chris,
Is your leak in line with the oil filter housing/
if so this is where I had a major leak with "Fay" when restoring her, there is an oil gallery that goes right up through to the rocker gear at this point, early engines didn't have a roll pin at this point, and the oil pressure eventually misplaced the gasket and leaked, I had to have the factory recommended modification to fit a roll pin carried out, which being hollow allowed the oil to pass through the centre, however, your Berlina should have had the mod, but worth checking if it's secure.

Brian
8227

[chriswgawne]

Having tried all sorts of external sealing methods with no success over the last few months it's been engine out and full strip down. The good news is that there were no hidden unpleasant surprises and as well as now having a totally leak free engine, my oil pressure has risen and the engine is running better ( possibly because the valve timing is more accurate now).
Oil pressure is at the top of the scale from 2,000rpm, oil consumption is negligible and in today's temperatures of well over 30 degC for much of the day the water temp gauge fluctuates around normal even after going up the steep hills.
Chris

[the.cern]

Obviously a lot of work, but what a great result!!! I am so pleased that you have managed to overcome the initial problem and, even better, you have added benefits as well!!

May a great summer of motoring open up in front of you!!!

                                             Andy

[Sebastien]

Great news!

Now you are fine for at least 20 years!

Sébastien

(4 years by now!...)

[davidwheeler]

I did thid and after a few months the bolts slackened again!    I tightened them up again and all is well.

[chriswgawne]

Thanks for the tip David. I will check the tightness of these bolts (as well as the cylinder head) after another 500km.
Chris