Gearbox covered in oily stuff?

[SebastienClement]

Just done the under-the-bonnet checks on Kate's Rover for this week, and I'm somewhat dismayed to find the gearbox covered (read drenched) in an oily substance. It wasn't there last week, but it has done about 600 miles this week.

The engine oil level is fine, and I can't find any evidence of a leak from the engine itself (had HG done about 1000 miles or so ago) - the block is as clean as.

What's strange is that this oily stuff is even on top of the gearbox housing - but not right by the engine, so it definitely hasn't run down, I don't think.

Any ideas? It's a PG1 box mated to a 1.8 K series.

[John D.]

Gearbox oil?

Does it smell really bad?

[SebastienClement]

John D. said:

Gearbox oil?

Does it smell really bad?

Not really. From my research it should smell like sulphur. Can't say it does, really. Maybe I'm not able to get a good enough sample though. It does seem 'watery' compared to engine oil.

[Eggman]

Take it for a run so it's warmed up and then look at it with the engine running. If there's something producing an oily mist it may be more obvious where its coming from.

[Mr2Mike]

The correct oil for the PG1 box (MFT94) is pretty watery stuff and doesn't smell bad.

Apart from engine and gearbox, the only other oil would be power steering. Have you checked the PAS reservoir level?

[SebastienClement]

Right it's not PAS fluid. I've run it and can't see where anything's coming from.

The oily stuff isn't quite like engine oil, it is slightly more watery. And from a sample I've just taken it does smell a little bit eggy - but it's difficult getting a good sample.

The engine block is dry and the engine oil level is spot on.

When having the car running there is a bearing-y type noise coming from the rear of the gearbox, which disappears when the clutch is pressed.

It's fecked, aint it?

[Mr2Mike]

The only oil seals in the box are the input shaft seal and the two output shaft seals where the CV's slot into the diff. I'd not expect the entire outside of the box to get covered if the input seal had gone, so check for extra oiliness around the inner CVs.

I have also seen a PG1 box where the diff pin had come loose and carved its way through the diff housing, which obviously means the oil comes out pretty quickly.

A good PG1 box should be cheap and pretty easy to find I'd have thought.

[SebastienClement]

Father has had a look - who is much more mechanically minded that I! - and says it's the clutch housing that's leaking.

[Willhook]

There isnn't (or shouldn't!) be any oil in the bell housing. If so ether engine crankshaft oil seal or gearbox input shaft oil seal has gone!

[SebastienClement]

Willhook said:

There isnn't (or shouldn't!) be any oil in the bell housing. If so ether engine crankshaft oil seal or gearbox input shaft oil seal has gone!

Exunctly. Hence it is borked!

[Ferg]

SebastienClement said:

Father has had a look - who is much more mechanically minded that I! - and says it's the clutch housing that's leaking.

Clutch SLAVE CYLINDER surely. It sits on the top of the PG1 slightly forward.

[SebastienClement]

Ferg said:

lutch SLAVE CYLINDER surely. It sits on the top of the PG1 slightly forward.

I dunno!

Garage man says new box time. Which I have got

[Ferg]

Really??? Sounds odd, but if that's what he said.

[SebastienClement]

Put it this way; it has whined since I got it and it has got progressively louder. There is a loud bearing noise when idling. Power delivery is not smooth at all in 3rd and 4th.

I should have had it looked at, but I didn't!

[thinfourth2]

Gearbox is dying gets hot, heats up it oil, oil pukes out the breather on top