Huge oil leak after Mr Clutch fitted clutch
Discussion
Had a new clutch fitted by the above company and drove my Vauxhall Arena van home. Next day I notice a giant pool of oil underneath which takes me about 2 hours to attempt to mop up. As the garage is only about 1 mile away, I start the engine and reverse it across the road, intending to drive it back there. However, the rest of the oil in the engine pours within about 10 seconds,out leaving another massive puddle. The engine is now empty of oil, so I won't start it - So its lost around 5 litres in 50ft of driving.
The garage say that although they will look at it, it wasn't anything they did, as separating the transmission from the engine doesn't involve any oilways or gaskets etc etc... - and I don't know if they will tell me the truth when they check it.
They say it's most likely just a coincidence, but I think that if I had a guy do my roof, and it leaked everywhere straight after, chances are he's done something ?
What are the likely causes ?
The garage say that although they will look at it, it wasn't anything they did, as separating the transmission from the engine doesn't involve any oilways or gaskets etc etc... - and I don't know if they will tell me the truth when they check it.
They say it's most likely just a coincidence, but I think that if I had a guy do my roof, and it leaked everywhere straight after, chances are he's done something ?
What are the likely causes ?
Check the engine oil level.
Don't attempt to start the car if the engine oil level is low.
I think trying to "drive it back there" when you knew it has just pissed a load of fluid out wasn't a very clever thing to do - you may have caused more damage in doing so.
Despite a clutch change not involving engine oil, a spanner monkey spannering nuts randomly may cause unintended consequences if they spanner the wrong bit.
Don't attempt to start the car if the engine oil level is low.
I think trying to "drive it back there" when you knew it has just pissed a load of fluid out wasn't a very clever thing to do - you may have caused more damage in doing so.
Despite a clutch change not involving engine oil, a spanner monkey spannering nuts randomly may cause unintended consequences if they spanner the wrong bit.
Does seem odd that engine oil would be leaking. But the simple fact it has occurred right after they did the work, the chances of them not having caused it is very slim.
As others say, do not drive it at all if it's losing that much oil. Have it towed.
It would be hard to see how they are not responsible in some shape or form.
As others say, do not drive it at all if it's losing that much oil. Have it towed.
It would be hard to see how they are not responsible in some shape or form.
I have heard horror stories about Mr Clutch and have put right some of their cock ups,for them to say "nothing to do with our job" without seeing it is stupid.As you have only driven one mile since they fitted your clutch I think its fair to say the oil slick is something to do with them. May I suggest you tell them your going to hire an independent mechanic to examine your vehicle and diagnose the cause of the oil leak.When that is completed and its proved its their fault then you can ask them to put it right F.O.C or demand they pay the bill at the repairer of your choice.
Old Merc said:
I have heard horror stories about Mr Clutch and have put right some of their cock ups,for them to say "nothing to do with our job" without seeing it is stupid.As you have only driven one mile since they fitted your clutch I think its fair to say the oil slick is something to do with them. May I suggest you tell them your going to hire an independent mechanic to examine your vehicle and diagnose the cause of the oil leak.When that is completed and its proved its their fault then you can ask them to put it right F.O.C or demand they pay the bill at the repairer of your choice.
Good` advice. Something is obviously wrong and best not to run the mechanicals.one eyed mick said:
More than likely knocked the oil filter off ,dos not fill me with confidence in there qual of work it obviously was not road tested . NVQ has a lot to answer for --fully qualified and experienced at 18 --- I think not!!!! I'm 65 retired and still learning
Sorry but NVQ means Not very qualified 
yes sounds like something that was'nt sutitable as a jacking point (oil filter housing,sump) was used as a jacking point, or the oil line from the turbo has been disturbed !!! best to get a inderpedant opinion on it then if it is a screw up you have some amunition...I had a Peugeot come into my workshop after a clutch job at Mr Clutch,oil everywhere,the whole underside of the car and even all over the rear bumper and tail gate!! I discovered that they filled the gearbox with oil via the breather RIGHT TO THE TOP!! overfilled it by about 500%!!!
As said anything could have happened,do not start or drive it,get it checked out.
As said anything could have happened,do not start or drive it,get it checked out.
I once damaged a crankshaft oil seal (on an MG Metro, stop laughing at the back 
) and it made the Amoco Cadiz slick look small as my Dad likes to remind me as it happened on his drive. 
If the leak was from there it would be a bit of a coincidence if it wasn't anything to do with their work. I guess they don't take cars on a test drive otherwise it would have leaked while they were driving it...
) and it made the Amoco Cadiz slick look small as my Dad likes to remind me as it happened on his drive. If the leak was from there it would be a bit of a coincidence if it wasn't anything to do with their work. I guess they don't take cars on a test drive otherwise it would have leaked while they were driving it...
UPDATE!Gassing Station | Engines & Drivetrain | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff