I have a slow but steady oil leak in my TR3A
Is a product like Bars Leak safe to use?
Thanks
David
Not long term. Where is the leak? Is it internal or external? On an engine this simple, it should be easy to locate and repair, and well worth it for a beautiful classic like this.
A leaking crankshaft seal might benefit from the proper additive. As jtsanders asked, what is leaking. British cars are notorious for seeping at every joint. Sometimes you must just accept the leaks as marking its territory.
Honestly, a TR3 that leaks oil is operating as designed. Count yourself lucky if the headlights work 
Mechanics have a saying: The only [Land Rover, Triumph, MG, Austin]s that don’t leak are the ones that are empty.
Can you clean the engine and determine where the leak is? If it’s high up on the engine, it may be easily fixed. If it’s down around the crankcase/front or rear seal area it would have to be a major leak before I’d consider trying to fix it.
Bars Leak is not designed for oil leaks, unless they have a second product I’m not aware of. It is designed for coolant leaks, although I’ve never seen it adequately seal a bad head gasket as suggested by Click & Clack on yseterday’s show. There are other preparations for that, most of which contain “water glass”, and are a very temporary stop gap “fix”.
Unless your TR-3 is leaking A LOT, consider that LBCs (Little British Cars) don’t leak oil.
They only mark their territory, as Rod Knox said.
It’s called British undercoating.
“Count yourself lucky if the headlights work”
The Prince of Darkness still has many followers
Some of us know how to appreciate good wine and a good woman and a good car. They each require a little patience and when properly attended to they offer a great deal of pleasure. But a gentleman must be discrete and not be too curious or critical.
A drip or two is normal, but if it’s pouring out, making a mess, find it and fix it…
Thanks to everyone for the advice.
Think I’ll take the path of least resistance and put a tarp on my garage floor and appreciate the lights working!
It’s not leaking, it’s marking its territory. My TR6 does the same thing.
Over the years sealing materials, gaskets and sealing compounds, have greatly improved. Some of this technology isn’t in the old classic cars. All cars from the beginning of autos up until the mid-80’s always leaded, spotted, or showed some seepage on the underside of the car. New cars are much cleaner this way.
I’d expect a 60’s TR 3 to at least drip a few spots on the garage floor when sitting for a week. If you have a puddle greater than 6" after sitting for 7 days, that is something I’d investigate and try to correct. Less than that, let it ride and enjoy your TR 3. These are simply fun cars when you get them running right.
It’s been said that this is the reason the British don’t manufacture computers.
It’s too hard to get a computer to leak oil.
You might get one of these
It can keep the oil off the floor.
“But a gentleman must be discrete and not be too curious or critical.”
Curiosity is fine; it shows you’re interested! But criticism is best left for movies and restaurants. Unless the ladies want to straighten us poor, dumb husbands out, that is.
Back in the olden days (like the '70s) when most cars leaked, not just LBCs, my dad used to keep a piece of cardboard on the garage floor. He changed it whenever it looked a bit soaked up.
When “leakproof” Japanese cars hit the market, American manufacturers had to clean up their acts.
I don’t know if the Triumph cars are like the motorcycles, such finely precisioned parts, no gasket needed, untill some rtv sealant needed to avoid the drip. Find the leak first, then figure out how to deal with it without a tarp.
I think you may be the first person on the planet to use the words “finely precisioned parts” and “Triumph cars” in the same sentence
Some people just don’t appreciate craftsmanship…