T-Type (TC/TD/TF)

1945-1955 / Roadster / United Kingdom

All T-Type (TC/TD/TF) problems All workshop issues

Minor Engine, XPAG/XPEG (1,250cc/1,466cc Inline-4)

Oil Leaks, Everywhere

Symptoms

Oil weeps from every gasket surface, rocker cover, timing cover, sump, rear main seal, and anywhere two castings meet. The area beneath a parked T-Type will have oil spots. Some engines leak enough to require topping up between services.

Cause

The XPAG predates modern gasket technology. Original seals were cork, felt, and rope, materials that harden, shrink, and lose their sealing ability with age. The crankshaft rear main seal is a scroll-type design that relies on oil being flung centrifugally back into the sump, rather than a modern lip seal. It will always weep.

Fix

Replace all cork and felt gaskets with modern equivalents.

Use a quality sealant (Hylomar or similar) on mating surfaces.

The rear main seal can be improved with a modern conversion kit, but some weeping is considered normal.

Cost: $100-$300 for a full gasket set.

The rear main seal conversion: $150-$250.

Cost mentioned in fix

Cost: $100-$300 for a$150-$250

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// More T-Type (TC/TD/TF) problems

Other known issues

Critical Engine, XPAG/XPEG (1,250cc/1,466cc Inline-4)

Low Oil Pressure (Worn Bearings)

Oil pressure drops below 40 psi at cruising speed when warm, or below 15 psi at idle. A knocking sound from the bottom end, particularly under load, confirms the diagnosis.

Common Engine, XPAG/XPEG (1,250cc/1,466cc Inline-4)

Dynamo (Generator) Failure

The charge warning light stays on above idle, the battery goes flat, and electrical accessories dim. In some cases, the dynamo seizes and the drive belt snaps or glazes.

Critical Engine, XPAG/XPEG (1,250cc/1,466cc Inline-4)

Overheating

Coolant temperature climbs above normal, particularly in slow traffic or on hot days. Steam from the overflow. In severe cases, the engine boils over.

Common Engine, XPAG/XPEG (1,250cc/1,466cc Inline-4)

Timing Chain Stretch

A rattling noise from the front of the engine, particularly on startup or at idle. The engine may feel down on power and the timing may wander.

Minor Wooden Body Frame

Rot in the Ash Frame

Doors don't shut properly or are misaligned. Body panels flex when pushed. Gaps between panels are uneven. The body feels "soft" when jacked up. In severe cases, the body visibly sags or the scuttle area cracks.

Minor Wooden Body Frame

Body Flex

The body creaks and flexes over bumps. Doors pop open over rough roads. Scuttle shake (the windscreen frame vibrates relative to the body) is noticeable.

View all 15 T-Type (TC/TD/TF) problems