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Gearbox Leak Advice
- Thread starter ReganAndCarter
- Start date
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I got three of those 
The pumps are not very reliable.
The pumps are not very reliable.
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UPDATE.
Took the van to another garage recently. He confirmed that it wasn't driveshaft leaking. Couldn't see source of leak with gearbox in place. His guess was that it could be the gearbox input shaft. As he works alone and only has 4 post lift he can't remove the gearbox.
When the clutch was changed about a year ago the clutch guide tube was replaced. It wasn't leaking but took chance to re-new while box and engine were apart. Thinking maybe they bothched the guide tube installation.
After research, another possibility is they let the gearbox hang on the input shaft which has bent it. Is this a possibility? How would you check if shaft is bent?
Booked in Weds for a local gearbox specialist. Needs sorting because bottom of box/diff is quite wet and I'm leaving patches on the ground. I regularly add small amounts of oil to box, but as there's no level plug it's a guess how much is in there. Wouldn't like to chance long journeys.
Was thinking of changing van due to being almost 18 months old, but it's tidy and engine runs like new - 106,000 miles. And the prices of used cars and vans these days!
Took the van to another garage recently. He confirmed that it wasn't driveshaft leaking. Couldn't see source of leak with gearbox in place. His guess was that it could be the gearbox input shaft. As he works alone and only has 4 post lift he can't remove the gearbox.
When the clutch was changed about a year ago the clutch guide tube was replaced. It wasn't leaking but took chance to re-new while box and engine were apart. Thinking maybe they bothched the guide tube installation.
After research, another possibility is they let the gearbox hang on the input shaft which has bent it. Is this a possibility? How would you check if shaft is bent?
Booked in Weds for a local gearbox specialist. Needs sorting because bottom of box/diff is quite wet and I'm leaving patches on the ground. I regularly add small amounts of oil to box, but as there's no level plug it's a guess how much is in there. Wouldn't like to chance long journeys.
Was thinking of changing van due to being almost 18 months old, but it's tidy and engine runs like new - 106,000 miles. And the prices of used cars and vans these days!
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Yes the shaft can be bent, by leaving the weight on the shaft unsupported. The only way to confirm it is using a dial gauge, as the shaft is rotated.
If the gearbox input shaft was bent I think you’d get quite significant vibration - particularly when using the clutch.
John
John
Thanks to both for taking time to reply. Not noticed any vibrations. Only problem that appeared straight after clutch and DMF replaced was difficulty selecting some gears. First and reverse felt like something blocking as was difficult to engage those gears. Would slip in eventually after pushing stick forward few times - didn't want to force anything. Didn't like coming out of first and reverse either. Going into second was a bit notchy too. However these problems have got much better over time, with only slight notchiness going into second remaining. I've fitted new Fiat gear cables to eliminate these last summer, but they made no difference. It was time and use that improved these odd faults.
They changed clutch, DMF, etc by unbolting box and sliding it over to nearside. It's not possible to fully remove box from engine bay without first dropping subframe - which is obviously a more time consuming/expensive job. As Harry has suggested dial gauge and rotate shaft, does anyone know if this is possible without fully removing box? Or does it need to come out completely?
They changed clutch, DMF, etc by unbolting box and sliding it over to nearside. It's not possible to fully remove box from engine bay without first dropping subframe - which is obviously a more time consuming/expensive job. As Harry has suggested dial gauge and rotate shaft, does anyone know if this is possible without fully removing box? Or does it need to come out completely?
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The box would have to come off completely, to check it.
Ideally you’d need to remove the shaft from the box, and spin it in a lathe with a dial indicator rubbing on it.....one hell of an undertaking!
I think you’ll see the issue when the box is off - the leak will have washed the area clean.
John
I think you’ll see the issue when the box is off - the leak will have washed the area clean.
John
Thanks again. My basic knowledge of these things makes me worry that the gearbox people will see that the clutch guide tube seal has leaked and replace it. But in reality it will have been an out of true input shaft that caused a leak at the seal.
Anyway, I'll wait for the verdict from garage. They are gearbox specialists with a very good reputation. Hope the oil hasn't damaged the new clutch.
Just another saga of garages fixing one problem, but sometimes creating another one. Not for the first time, unfortunately. Will report back.
Anyway, I'll wait for the verdict from garage. They are gearbox specialists with a very good reputation. Hope the oil hasn't damaged the new clutch.
Just another saga of garages fixing one problem, but sometimes creating another one. Not for the first time, unfortunately. Will report back.
Fingers crossed!
Hopefully it'll just be a clutch guide tube that's needed...one of it's main functions is to provide a good seal between gearbox and clutch - the other being to provide a good surface for the release bearing to slide along (this must be greased with the authorised lube).
The bend - if any - on the input shaft would need to be pretty severe to ruin this seal.
If the clutch is new - but contaminated - you need a new friction plate and nothing else.
Be lucky!
John
Hopefully it'll just be a clutch guide tube that's needed...one of it's main functions is to provide a good seal between gearbox and clutch - the other being to provide a good surface for the release bearing to slide along (this must be greased with the authorised lube).
The bend - if any - on the input shaft would need to be pretty severe to ruin this seal.
If the clutch is new - but contaminated - you need a new friction plate and nothing else.
Be lucky!
John
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A bent input shaft would show up by mounting a dti on the gearbox casing and rotating the output shaft by hand with the box in gear.Ideally you’d need to remove the shaft from the box, and spin it in a lathe with a dial indicator rubbing on it.....one hell of an undertaking!
I think you’ll see the issue when the box is off - the leak will have washed the area clean.
John
To much oil in gearbox ? as you say you can not check level, my be to high, drain and refill to correct level and see how that goes ,save pulling the gearbox out
Also check gearbox breather not blocked or damaged after box was removed ,top of gearbox under air filter area
Also check gearbox breather not blocked or damaged after box was removed ,top of gearbox under air filter area
If the input shaft is visibly bent, then it's game over for it.....if it's just a few thou then it would have to be spun between centres to check.
Either way, let's hope it isn't!
John
Either way, let's hope it isn't!
John
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