Smoke through handbrake gaiter!

[ice_mantis]

Hi all, now back on he road since changing my alternator so finally getting the chance to drive around a bit more.

I was stuck in some traffic, not too heavy but didn't get out of first gear and was just stop starting for a bout 20 mins when I noticed a small amount of smoke coming through the handbrake gaiter, I pulled over in a nearby car park but couldn't see where it was coming from, smelt a bit like oil burning. All water temps and oil pressure looked fine.

Left it for 10 mins and seemed fine, completed my journey without this happening again.

Any ideas anyone?? Is something else about to give up on me??

[spartacus]

ice_mantis said:

Hi all, now back on he road since changing my alternator so finally getting the chance to drive around a bit more. I was stuck in some traffic, not too heavy but didn't get out of first gear and was just stop starting for a bout 20 mins when I noticed a small amount of smoke coming through the handbrake gaiter, I pulled over in a nearby car park but couldn't see where it was coming from, smelt a bit like oil burning. All water temps and oil pressure looked fine. Left it for 10 mins and seemed fine, completed my journey without this happening again. Any ideas anyone?? Is something else about to give up on me??

I think I can tell you exactly what that is, the gearbox tailshaft seal is leaking, the oil runs down the bell hosing and dips on the hot cats.

If you undo the tray under the gearbox you will probably find it filled with oil. Don't worry its not a massive job replacing the seal, box stays in place, think its just the propshaft that needs disconnecting, however cats probably have to come out first to gain access.

Fernies did mine and the bill was not massive.

[Extra 300 Driver]

spartacus said:

ice_mantis said: Hi all, now back on he road since changing my alternator so finally getting the chance to drive around a bit more. I was stuck in some traffic, not too heavy but didn't get out of first gear and was just stop starting for a bout 20 mins when I noticed a small amount of smoke coming through the handbrake gaiter, I pulled over in a nearby car park but couldn't see where it was coming from, smelt a bit like oil burning. All water temps and oil pressure looked fine. Left it for 10 mins and seemed fine, completed my journey without this happening again. Any ideas anyone?? Is something else about to give up on me?? I think I can tell you exactly what that is, the gearbox tailshaft seal is leaking, the oil runs down the bell hosing and dips on the hot cats. If you undo the tray under the gearbox you will probably find it filled with oil. Don't worry its not a massive job replacing the seal, box stays in place, think its just the propshaft that needs disconnecting, however cats probably have to come out first to gain access. Fernies did mine and the bill was not massive.

10/10

The problem came back after I refitted the cats. If you get the smallest amount of oil out the rear seal it causes this slight smoke.

Remember the car has just has a service to the oil level in the box will be at max, maybe over.

It has happened to me, once at the mid essex meet and once coming home from Stansted, never bothered me or did any damage to the car.

[ice_mantis]

Thanks, will look into this, probably would explain the oily patches all over the other half's parents driveway weve just noticed!!

[longbow]

Agreed - this has happened to me and was caused by a leaking gasket on the gearbox weeping oil onto the decat pipes. Mine was worse though, I had smoke wafting out from my rear arches while sat in a traffic jam on the A1....... I found it very effective at warding off potential tailgaiters!!