Clutch reality check needed! HELP!

[DKWesty]

I posted a couple of weeks ago when I changed the gearbox oil on my '86 1.6TD Westfalia and it came out all seperated - thanks to everyone who commented on it.

Now we are supposed to be going to the Green Man Festival in Wales tomorrow (100 miles or so) and today the clutch is slipping in 3rd and 4th

Since changing the gear oil there has been a black (engine?) oil patch on the ground in the morning after driving the day before, which looks like it has come from the front of the engine. There were always a couple of drips from the back but this is definitely a new leak, maybe it's linked to putting in fresh oil somehow if the old stuff was full of gloop.

So two questions if anyone can help: Is the oil leak most likely a sign that the crankshaft seal has gone and the clutch slip is a result? Is there any chance I'm going to find somewhere which can replace the clutch and oil seal tomorrow morning in the West London area?? Or somewhere on the way to Wales...

Thanks for your brain power ladies and gents, and advice gratefully received, bit stressed out here.

Don

[Aidan]

oil leak could be gearbox oil if the input seal is leaking, if the level was bit low before and now is high, I guess you filled the box till it overflowed the filler ? Long term weepy crank seal and build up of clutch dust in bellhousing if then washed out with gear oil would leave a black oil residue but the smell of it should tell you if it's gear oil generated -if it is then as well as clutch you'll probably need to repair the oil thrower and replace the oil seal

[CJH]

My own experience with engine oil getting onto the clutch is that it didn't cause slip, but it did make the clutch judder. With dry plates the friction material slides smoothly until it locks against the pressure plate, but when there's oil on the friction material it soon burns off to leave a sticky residue, which makes the clutch judder until locks. The residue wears off if you use the clutch enough, but if you've been on a long run without using the clutch the oil will accumulate and will take some time to burn off again.

Can you smell burning oil when you use the clutch? Do you get clutch judder when you change gear, and it is worse after a run on the motorway?

I lived with a leaking rear crank seal on an old Triumph 1500, and got used to feathering the clutch to burn off the oil! 100 miles was nothing!

[DKWesty]

THanks Gents,

I'll have to be brief cos we need to set off soon (in the stupid car). Cheers Aidan for the advice I'll bear the other items in mind when it comes to booking it in, and CJH - no judder, just your classic revs rising as you hit the torquey bit of the engine range, but no acceleration.

We are still going camping and the van can sit on the naughty step.

Don