mystery leak

[janieh]

Hi All

I have a mystery leak coming out of my van, (typically as we're off camping next weekend!). Anyway, I was wondering if anyone can help me identify what it is and whether I need to be immediately worried or can delay dealing with it.

It's a clear greasy liquid, so I don't think it can be engine oil as that's normally black isn't it. It's also only occaisonally dripping, it's not a significant amount. I don't think it can be coolant as that's green and doesn't feel greasy. It's coming from the middle, about 50cm from the rear of the van. I've stuck in a photo here https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/U ... directlink of where it's coming from, the ridgy thing in the middle of the photo (very technical I know).

If anyone has any advice it would be very welcome. I'd rather not have a trip to the garage this week.
cheers, J

[kevtherev]

The "ridgy" thing is the gearbox and the greasy stuff is probably gearbox oil

lose to much and you will need a new gearbox...I think an oil level check would be in order ASAP and a top up would be cheaper than a new gearbox.

All the relevant check procedure is in the haynes...as is the gearbox oil SAE value

[kevtherev]

Then when the immediate emergency is over... where it's coming from should be addressed.

[janieh]

The "ridgy" thing is the gearbox and the greasy stuff is probably gearbox oil

lose to much and you will need a new gearbox...I think an oil level check would be in order ASAP and a top up would be cheaper than a new gearbox.

All the relevant check procedure is in the haynes...as is the gearbox oil SAE value

Brilliant, this is very helpful. However, unfortunately the only Haynes manual I have is for a petrol engine, so nothing is quite right in it. I've looked at the pictures and they don't look the same. I've uploaded a couple more photos as I'm trying to identify the gearbox oil plug. I think it's this?
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/p ... directlink

Which can be seen in the middle near the back of the engine - here - https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/u ... directlink

Is this right? and if so, what tool would I need to open it up? access looks a bit tricky and the hexagon shape looks much bigger than most of my sockets.

Also - the gear oil stated in the manual is SAE 80 - would this also be relevant for a diesel engine?

Thanks for your help!

[kevtherev]

All these answers are in the wiki
however you must have missed them during your search so here are some of them

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ge ... earbox_oil" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ge ... drain_plug" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

the plug is a 17 mm hex key (obtainable from halfords) but heed the warnings !...

Gearbox oil is indeed what your manual suggests as gearboxes are not diesel engines, they are just a box of cogs ........ I got mine from GSF (sae 80-90 gear oil)

[janieh]

All these answers are in the wiki
however you must have missed them during your search so here are some of them

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ge ... earbox_oil" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ge ... drain_plug" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

the plug is a 17 mm hex key (obtainable from halfords) but heed the warnings !...

Gearbox oil is indeed what your manual suggests as gearboxes are not diesel engines, they are just a box of cogs ........ I got mine from GSF (sae 80-90 gear oil)

Thanks that's helpful. I have a halfords a few minutes away, so I'll get the hex key and the oil from there. they do a Halfords Gear Oil EP 80W/90 GL-4 1L which sounds like it should be right.

I had looked at the wiki, but it can sometimes be a bit difficult to understand if you're level of engine knowledge is a low as mine. Those pages are useful now that I know I am looking at the right thing. But without a diagram and my manual being wrong it's hard to identify some of the bits in the engine. I've just done a bit more research and Ive now been able to buy a diesel engine manual from Just Kampers which should mean I'll be able to work out a bit more stuff myself.

thanks for the help

[Hacksawbob]

to be fair Kev they aren't too helpful to a newb, I'll have to photo it next time im down there.
both petrol and diesel gearboxes are the same. Always remove fill plug before removing drain plug! or else you will be stuck with an empty box if the fill plug is being awkward.. which they can be. Looks like you have an under engine tray you may need to remove to gain access to the drain plug (not %100 on this) good luck if the plugs come out nice its a 1 spanner job.

in case you were wondering that hole you identified is the bell housing acess point to do your timing, oil in there is not considered condusive to good clutch functionality.

[janieh]

to be fair Kev they aren't too helpful to a newb, I'll have to photo it next time im down there.
both petrol and diesel gearboxes are the same. Always remove fill plug before removing drain plug! or else you will be stuck with an empty box if the fill plug is being awkward.. which they can be. Looks like you have an under engine tray you may need to remove to gain access to the drain plug (not %100 on this) good luck if the plugs come out nice its a 1 spanner job.

in case you were wondering that hole you identified is the bell housing acess point to do your timing, oil in there is not considered condusive to good clutch functionality.

Hi Bob,
Sorry, I'm even more confused now! I thought that the suggestion (for now as a quick fix) was that I need to remove the fill plug, check if it's a bit low, and if so add some more of the correct oil. I didn't think that would involve removing the drain plug at all.

Also, are you saying that the item in my photo is not the fill plug? as if so, I still don't know where the fill plug is! Maybe I'd be better trying to get to a garage, as at the moment I'm not feeling confident with this, and I don't have a lot of time before we're going away.

cheers

[kevtherev]

No bob is saying if you want to change and drain the oil, make sure the fill plug can be undone first.

Also, are you saying that the item in my photo is not the fill plug? as if so, I still don't know where the fill plug is!

he is ...the fill plug is on the side of the gearbox (opposite side of your first picture)

When taken out oil should seep out, if it doesn't it needs topping up until it does

the drain plug is at the bottom of the gearbox toward the rear

[billy739]

is the 'oil' runny or thick?

runny it could be brake fluid from the clutch slave cylinder

thick and 'smelly' then gearoil

[kevtherev]

it could be brake fluid from the clutch slave cylinder

Good call Billy

[janieh]

is the 'oil' runny or thick?

runny it could be brake fluid from the clutch slave cylinder

thick and 'smelly' then gearoil

ooh, a lack of brake fluid sounds bad. It was my husband that stuck his hand in it, and he reckons thin, and didn't notice a smell, but it looked pretty dirty. More investigation I think!

thanks

[janieh]

No bob is saying if you want to change and drain the oil, make sure the fill plug can be undone first.

Also, are you saying that the item in my photo is not the fill plug? as if so, I still don't know where the fill plug is!

he is ...the fill plug is on the side of the gearbox (opposite side of your first picture)

When taken out oil should seep out, if it doesn't it needs topping up until it does

the drain plug is at the bottom of the gearbox toward the rear

Ah ok, that's what I thought. OK, getting nearer! I wish I had the flipping correct manual - it would mean a bit less of this guess work!

Thanks

[R0B]

Make your own hex key using a 17mm bolt and two nuts

[Ian Hulley]

Get huby to squeeze the rubber gaitor on the clutch slave cylinder, if there's fluid inside the gaitor the cylinder needs changing. If there is none in there then check the smell of the oil .... a burnt almost garliccy kind of smell is Hypoid gear oil from the gearbox.

Ian.