oil leak

[tone]

After 9 years of ownership my van has developed a small oil leak - a few drips seem to be dropping down from where the engine meets the gearbox - not sure if it is engine oil or gearbox oil - only drips when engine is going not when van standing still - looks like it may be the gasket - is this something that you just live with or is it worth all the hassle of replacing the gasket. It's a 1989 2.1 .

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[kevtherev]

It won't be any gasket, it'll be the crankshaft oil seal.
Before a new one is fitted, be sure the crank end float is within tolerance, otherwise fitting a new one will be pointless.


or you can live with it...

[tone]

Thanks mate - guess I'll live with it

[kevtherev]

Next time the clutch is changed, do the seal.
Remove the flywheel, check the float and replace the seal (don't lose the shims)

[tone]

Thanks again - is the oil that is leaking engine oil or gearbox oil - just thinking about topping up

[kevtherev]

Gear box oil smells fishy.
Engine oil smells like oil

[Oldiebut goodie]

Girls smell fishy.
Men smell like engine oil

Corrected that for you!

[kevtherev]

Girls smell fishy.
Men smell like engine oil

Corrected that for you!

[silverbullet]

Fishy gearbox oil?

Always smells rather "buttery" to me but my olfactory senses are a bit suspect.

[Oldiebut goodie]

Smells more like cat's P to me. ( I can tell the difference between the smells of my fish boxes and gearbox )

[300CE]

Gotta be one of the worst smells I've ever encountered when I changed my gearbox oil after, I assume, it not having been changed for 26 years - was proper rank. Is due a further change this summer so shouldn't be anywhere near as bad.......I hope.