Minor Oil Leak

[Stan_brook]

Morning

Noticed a few spots of oil in various places on the garage floor since I have had my new to me K-series R300.

Had it in the air yesterday to take a look and can see small amounts under the sump but the main droplet coming from the bell housing. Tried to show on the pics. Overall it looks in great condition for a car with less than 70mm clearance!

While I know it is common for a 23yr old engine to be dropping a small amount of oil I wondered what everyone’s take was on it?

While it’s not under warranty from the dealer I bought it from, he did say he would ‘stand by the car’ so am I being too fussy insisting he takes it back to rectify? Doesn’t strike me as an easy job!

Simon

[WombleCate]

While I don’t know the K-Series, you don’t want oil dropping from the Bellhousing/ inside it, as that will lead the clutch to slip.

Commonly caused by the rear main seal failing, while that’s a cheap part, it is an engine out so a few hours labour.

I’d discuss it with the dealer. Though they won’t be wrong if they say “they all do that”.

[Stan_brook]

Thanks. Appreciate it and agree can’t imagine the dealer will be that keen to sort it out. Especially as it’s tricky to see where the sump one is coming from too!

[DVandrews]

It’s not unknown for gearbox oil to get past the nose seal on the first motion shaft and pollute the bellhousing. It’s worth dabbing the oil with your finger and giving it a sniff to see if it has the characteristic smell of gear oil.

If not then the likely culprit is the rear crank seal, this can seep forward to the sump.

If the seal is to be replaced make sure you / they use a good quality seal (INA or Corteco) as there are a large number fo cheap seals flooding the market, these harden in use and then leak. The flywheel bolts will need a generous application of loctite to seal the threads or oil will wick down the threads and oil the clutch.

Oily

[Stan_brook]

Thanks Dave. Appreciate your help again.

This is the one I ended up buying rather than the other car we were trying to identify a few weeks ago! Went for something fairly stock to avoid any issues - oh the irony!