Leaky Caterhams ahoy?

[paulhope]

Hi All,

Quick and simple question for my fellow Caterham enthusiasts. Is it normal for Caterhams to loose a bit of fluid? Does yours do it? Should I accept it and top it up, or should I demand it to be sorted?

I have had my 2002 Roadsport 140 (20k miles) since July now and ever since I purchased it from Caterham Midlands it has had a slight leak from the diff. It went in twice throughout the latter part of the year in attempts to solve it and they firstly put a longer breather on the diff, then at the second attempt they removed, skimmed then resealed the rear housing. It didn't stop it, and there has still been a small pool of diff fluid on my garage floor whenever it has been for a proper drive, guessing it seeps more when the fluid is properly warm. I traced the leak to the right side driveshaft seal, and it is currently back with them (after much insistence from me) having the seal replaced. Although they didn't want to do anything about it and I was told "it may not stop it" and "it is normal for a Caterham to leak a bit" in a slightly dismissive tone from the service manager at Caterham Midlands.

Also, a couple of weeks after a recent trackday and long round trip to and from Brands (the first time I have driven it for a proper long trip), followed by a couple of spirited local drives, I noticed fluid on the garage floor from the front which was thin and greasy, appearing to have dripped off the sump. I am assuming this is the Caterham Motorsport oil. It has never done it before and despite the car being with them for two weeks now, they have not found a leak from the front end, only observing the one of the hose clips was a little loose and they have tightened it.

Is this normal, as the chap at Caterham would have me believe, or should I keep striving for it to be less leaky?

Thanks all,

Paul

[framerateuk]

Mine looks a little greasy around the engine/gearbox join, but it hasn't dropped any on the floor and the garage has been completely clean since owning it.

[Dave J]

the diff has a breather , this must be inserted in the correct orientation or it will throw out fluid - i would replace the breather first as they are on a few £

[Matt UK]

When mine has been out for a run and put back in the garage it will normally leave a couple of light coloured oil drops underneath it - but it's never been enough to worry me. It doesn't seem to need a top up enough after a track day, so fingers crossed 'they all do that, sir'

[jj48]

I modified the breather on my R400 by removing the crap breather tube and inserting a right angle joint into the original outlet and then running a piece of tube across and then in a loop and cable tied to the rear bulkhead panel. Never had a problem since.
Richard