SE turbo leaking gravy

[alzmoore]

I knew it was too good to be true.  Car has been running well but now it seems to be leaking something that looks like brown gravy from the bottom of the clutch bellhousing.  The engine doesn't seem to be losing oil, so i guess it must be the gearbox seal.  It's the Renault gearbox.  Has anyone had a similar problem and how difficult is the fix?

 

Many thanks

 

Alan 

[sailorbob]

See this thread

All for less than £20 worth of seal and O ring

[alzmoore]

Thanks Sailorbob...... Looks like a nightmare but I think I'll get the House of Commons to make no leak illegal and that should solve it....

[Sparky]

If you can wait that long for a decision...

[Escape]

First of, lovely picture of a great combo!

Too bad about the oil leak... I'd start by checking the oil level in the gearbox, just to be sure. Your description of gravy does sound like (old) gearbox oil...

Taking the box out is a bit of work, but nothing too complicated. Nor is splitting the box to replace the seal, just work calmly and methodically, and you'll be fine. Getting started is the hardest part. 😉

Filip

[alzmoore]

Filip, thanks for the encouragement.... I guess I better just bite the bullet... 

[Glyn Harper]

Could be worse though.. This is the oil I took out of my gearbox last year which lead to a complete rebuild!

 

 

[Vanya]

What does the oil smell like? Gearbox oil has a very particular smell. It's in all my clothes thanks to the SE and weeping driveshaft seals, so I'm well acquainted with it. 

[alzmoore]

Yes it's gearbox oil... You are right it has a particular smell.... 

[Sparky]

Those who know me will attest to the fact that I identify vehicle fluids by taste.  Transmission oil is eminently identifiable.

[Advantage]

4 hours ago, Sparky said:

Those who know me will attest to the fact that I identify vehicle fluids by taste.  Transmission oil is eminently identifiable.

Not keen on the prospect of tasting gearbox oil. The smell is enough to identify it. However, is that a puddle of brake fluid, screenwash or cat pee? Only one way to find that out and that's using your tongue. Note, your tongue - not my tongue.  

[silverfrost]

16 hours ago, Sparky said:

Those who know me will attest to the fact that I identify vehicle fluids by taste.  Transmission oil is eminently identifiable.

I have seen pictures of him on the lotusforums sniffing rear exhaust boxes !    Part man, part machine,  people say he has a lotus badge tatooed on his body somewhere !

[Sparky]

Actually I haven't.  But that's a bloody good idea...

[Escape]

I always tast coolant to determine the concentration. The amount of gagging is directly proportional to the negative temperatures it can withstand.

But I too would pass for gearbox oil!

Filip