Falcon (XK-XP)

1960-1966 / Sedan / Convertible / Estate / Australia

All Falcon (XK-XP) problems All workshop issues

Common Engine: 144ci and 170ci Inline-Six

Crankshaft Rear Main Seal Leak

Symptoms

Oil leak from the rear of the engine, dripping onto the bellhousing and gearbox. Oil on the clutch causes slipping (manual cars) or contaminates the torque converter (automatics).

Cause

The rear main seal is a rope-type seal on the 144ci and 170ci engines. These seals harden and shrink with age, losing their ability to seal against the crankshaft. Heat cycles accelerate deterioration.

Fix

The gearbox must be removed to access the rear main seal.

It's a labour-intensive job but the seal itself is inexpensive ($20-40).

While the gearbox is out, replace the clutch (manual cars) as a matter of course.

Budget $600-1,200 for the job at a workshop, less if you do it yourself.

Cost mentioned in fix

$20-40Budget $600-1,200 for the job

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// More Falcon (XK-XP) problems

Other known issues

Critical Engine: 144ci and 170ci Inline-Six

Cooling System Inadequacy

Temperature gauge climbs in slow traffic, on hot days, or when towing. The engine may boil over, pushing coolant out of the overflow.

Critical Engine: 144ci and 170ci Inline-Six

Worn Valve Guides

Blue smoke on startup that clears after a few minutes. Increased oil consumption. In severe cases, blue smoke under all conditions.

Critical Engine: 144ci and 170ci Inline-Six

Fuel System Deterioration

Hard starting, rough idle, hesitation on acceleration, flooding, poor fuel economy, fuel smell.

Critical Rust (The Big One)

Floor Pan Corrosion

Visible rust perforation on the underside of the floor. Soft, spongy metal when prodded. In severe cases, daylight visible through the cabin floor.

Critical Rust (The Big One)

Sill (Rocker Panel) Rot

Bubbling paint along the lower body sides, soft metal when prodded, visible perforation.

Common Rust (The Big One)

Boot Floor and Spare Tyre Well

Rust in the boot floor, water pooling in the spare tyre well, perforation around the tail-light mounting points.

View all 18 Falcon (XK-XP) problems