MG Car Repair: 1980 MGB Transmission Oil Leak, heater control valve, loose nut

Question
QUESTION: Hello Howard,

This a new question but a followup - too many followups.

I put the car on jack stands, ran it and found the leak is at the rear of the overdrive.  There was also a miniscule drop coming out of the weep hole at the front under the front of the engine restraint tube.

What do you recommend?

ANSWER: Wayne, if you are talking about the very rear at the driveshaft coupler that is the rear seal or a loose nut on the rear shaft. and on the front if you are talking about the hole in the bottom of the bell housing, that can either be the front trans seal or front gasket or that may be coming from the engine.
The trans is vented and if that vent has been damaged or is not there it could build pressure when warmed up and forcing oil out. Didn't you say earlier that you paid someone to go through this gearbox? If so you need to show it to them. You also nee to determine how bad these leaks are.
Howard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Howard,

Thanks for your help in finding the transmisson leak.  I plan on taking this up with the shop that I paid to go over the gearbox and overdrive, but regardless I guess the engine and transmission will have to be removed.  This is exactly what I was hoping to avoid by having the gearbox examined while I had it out for the engine rebuild.

I have other problems.  Antifreeze is leaking from the heater control valve.  I just had a new one of those installed, and had replaced it a few years ago myself.  Do you know of a better solution to these valves, or should I get a new one and install and then wait for it to leak?  I have read of other people altering the valves or putting completely different assemblies on.

I also have oil leaking from the rear axle.  I had replaced the rear gasket on this last year.  I had not noticed it leaking there before.  I still have the car on jack stands and will clean that area and the drive it to try to locate the leak.  Are there seals that can be easily replaced there?

Answer
Unfortunately there is not much that can be done to a gearbox without removing the engine.

The heater control valves are not noted for going bad compared to other cars but I guess they are short lived compared to some parts of the car. I don't know of any replacement valves that I could recommend.

There are axle seals that can be replaced but check the axle bearing too because a loose bearing will soon destroy a new seal.
The replacement is not difficult but you should get a manual if you have not done it before. You do have to remove the brakes to get to the seal.

Howard