Driveshaft seal oil leak

[Andjons]

I have noticed that I am getting a small puddle under the gearbox. When the car has been standing for a little while, there is a drip of transmission fluid hanging from the drain plug. I don't think it is coming from there, though. I think it is dripping from higher up, and just finding the lowest point before dripping to the ground. I think there may be a small leak from the right side driveshaft seal. Is this a straight-forward job? It looks like I just have to remove the roll pins and loosen/remove some nuts etc from the hub carrier. Is that it? Do I need any special tool to remove/replace the roll pins, or to insert the new seal?

I'm off to Le mans next month, and would like this sorted before I go. Please help!

Edited May 20, 2010 by Andjons

[Sparky]

Hey Andy

I think the seals were replaced when the box came out last year, so I'd be interested to see it! Fancy a run up to Watford?

[Vulcan Grey]

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B2nifoCpaFSfNjk1ZDdmZmQtNzBkNC00MDAzLTljZGYtNTZmZTdlYWQ3OWNk&hl=en

and here is my insertion tool

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B2nifoCpaFSfYzkwOTUxNGMtMGM1Yi00OWIwLTg1OWMtZGU5NWU5ZWM5MTM5&hl=en

Edited May 20, 2010 by Vulcan Grey

[Andjons]

Thanks for the replies. I suppose it could yet be the drain-plug, but a run up to Watford would be good, just to be sure. I wonder when might be good for you, Sparky - given that you will no doubt be needed in cabin soon?

Busy weekend so far - the horrible thud from behind the driver's seat when going over bumps has been resolved - it was obviously the plywood in the bulkhead, and the fix on LEW worked a treat. New braided clutch hose is now in too. Lovely!

[Sparky]

Good man! Today would have been good! I'm now out of the running for tomorrow, and due a 9-day trip from Monday, but who knows...

[Andjons]

My darling car continues its tendency towards the enigmatic. I cleaned up the gearbox good and proper. The next day the area around the bottom of the gearbox - around the drain plug and towards the engine - had oil drips. The area around the driveshafts seemed okay. Any oil seemed to be coming from higher up. Looking up into the murk, I could see that there was oil on the bottom of the compressor part of the turbo - enough to be forming drips. Being a nice golden colour, I figured this was engine oil, and it seems this could well be what has dripped down and collected at the bottom of the gearbox - being the lowest point. The oil there was golden in colour.

I gave the turbo and engine a good clean, until it and the engine parts below it, were clean. I've taken the car out for a couple of drives over the weekend, getting the turbo spinning up. Having left it in the garage all yesterday and over night, I have been out to check this morning. There is no oil on the turbo at all. There is no oil dripping down the engine. There is no oil under the gearbox. It is all clean and dry. There are no drips, and nothing on the garage floor. The engine oil level is absolutely fine. The dipstick is well seated. The transmission fluid level is good.

All very nice, but I cannot now think what on earth was going on. Where was the oil coming from?! I suppose it could just be that when the oil was last filled, some might have spilled and puddled somewhere around the top of the engine? But then surely this would have burned off. It could be a leak in the oil feed to/from the turbo, but then I would have expected to see at least a little evidence of any such leak this morning.

Any ideas?

Edited June 1, 2010 by Andjons

[Bibs]

You've no oil left in the engine?

It's very unlikely to be overspill, that would be burnt off before the engine even made it to proper temperature. Keep a close eye on it, it may be that it's dripping when cold (hence the overnight drips) and either not dripping or burning off when being used. What's your oil level like, is there any significant change?

[Andjons]

I was just editing my post when you replied - I anticipated that thought! The oil level is tip top.

[tinywillyuk]

Just to add, if you suspect the 'box is leaking, sniff the lube. Its distinctively different to engine oil.

And just to add more, I had dealer fit driveshaft seals fail within 12 months. Twice.

[fflyingdog]

As Simon has said sniff the oil, gear box oil does have a very distinctive smell almost sweet ,My drive shaft seals were leaking both from the actual seals and the roll pins (which should be sealed at the ends).If your gearbox is leaking oil don't ignore it as its easy to pop a gearbox with little or no oil in it, have you checked the gearbox oil level?

Nick S4s

[Andjons]

I am quite sure, now, that it is transmission oil. I cannot see where any leak is coming from, but after leaving it a few days, there are a few drops right on the bottom of the chassis. I have noticed that the 'bellows' for the r/h side of the cross-shaft is loose - in that it is not actually connected to the gearbox. I wonder if transmission oil could be leaking from the cross-shaft?

I topped up the transmission oil today, and it didn't take very much at all - so not a very big leak.

Edited June 7, 2010 by Andjons

[fflyingdog]

]If the oil tends to drip from the hoop , i would suggest its the drive shaft seal for sure.

Nick S4s

[Rearwheelaction]

Im having these symptoms i my car. Did you find out what was the cause of your problem. I need a new filler plug also which i cant find yet.

P.s Rang Renault and they no longer stock this item.

[jonwat]

I need a new filler plug also which i cant find yet.

P.s Rang Renault and they no longer stock this item.

http://www.sjsportscars.co.uk sell them £6.74

The leaking oil will probably be from the output shaft seals, as has been said sniff the oil to confirm if it's out of the transmission it'll have a strong, sulpherous smell.

[Rich H]

My box was leaking from one of the cross shaft seals.

I measured up the seal and it was only about £2 from simplybearings.co.uk