Better living through chemistry?
QMy Nova is nearing 70,000 miles and I notice the area round the crankshaft is damp with oil. Should I add a ‘stop leak’ additive to the oil to cure it?
Cedric Davies, Littlehampton
ANo. In engineering terms, a bit of oil creep around longserving oil seals is perfectly normal. The additive causes the oil seals to soften and swell. This likely to increase their rate of wear, effectively addicting the engine to the evil stuff. The only one you need to keep a really close eye on is the camshaft oil seal, which could be contaminating the cambelt. Replace it if it’s leaking and also fit a new cambelt.