GEARBOX LEAK

Post by **Geez** » 18 Mar 2005 09:32 pm

Got a real panic today guys, not looking good. Found some drops of oil on the drive way underneath my car, looked underneath and the whole of the back end of the gearbox and final drive is covered in oil. Cant really get underneath tohave a proper look but by what I can see the freshest oil seems to be on the very back of the final drive. Has any body heard of gaskets leaking or any leaks around here. Gonna try to get some ramps this weekend so I can get a proper look got to have it sorted before the meet!! Dont fancy coming in a taxi

Post by **petefarrell360** » 19 Mar 2005 12:26 am

Hi there Geez,
Well my daily drive (360 GLT) has had a steady gearbox leak for as long as I've had it! I've been topping the oil up at the same time as engine oil changes, until I finally get around to having the gasket/seal replaced. If it stands for a long time in the same place there is a drop or two and on long motorway journeys there are signs of oil on the rear of the car. I should be more concerned really, but as long as there is oil in there, and I keep topping it up for now until it is properly sorted, I'm not too worried. At least the underside of the car at the rear shouldn't rust!

One of my other 360's has a small sign of a leak too, but nothing to worry about yet. If it is a sudden leak however as yours appears to be, I think a replacement gasket or seal asap would be a good idea. Any idea as to how much oil you've lost so far? A few drops won't hurt for now.

Best of luck and keep us posted, as I'd be interested as to how easy and cheap the job is, as mine really will need doing sometime soon!

Pete

Post by **Fuse** » 19 Mar 2005 09:58 am

All 300-series I have seen have leaked some amounts.

So it is not uncommon. I am going to replace seals in mine so it should stop. Doesn't leak much though. No oil droppings etc... on the ground but whole gearbox/axle system is covered in oily stuff.

Post by **Geez** » 19 Mar 2005 09:41 pm

Feel a whole lot better for hearing that! Dont know how long its been leaking cos the weather has been so wet I hadn t noticed any drops. Didnt manage to get hold of the ramps today but it does nt seem to be gushing out and took her out for a run and the gearchange seems smooth enough. There is a slight whine from the axle but I dont think that its any different to normal . 2 questions though. 1 is it possible to top up or check gearbox oil without raising the car? 2 Can I check oil in the final drive. Cheers for the help guys much appreciated.
If its just gaskete or seals will hopefully do the work next month but need to keep her running til then.

Post by **SoLaMaNdA** » 19 Mar 2005 10:03 pm

Mine leaks too, I just top it up once a year with about a litre of oil before I do the long 1.5k miler holiday trip!

Post by **shimon340** » 20 Mar 2005 10:52 pm

Every 340 I've worked on and everyone I own has had a leaky gearbox diff unit. The rear seal on the diif isnt a difficult job to do and this is normally the seal that leaks first. The seal on the side of the gearbox is an ok job too.

However, if the leak is heavy, as it sounds like your is, I'd be tempted to sort the problem soon. You could just top up the oils of both gearbox and diff and then hope for the best but a friend of mine had a 360 injection and one day whilst driving along, the diif siezed as the oil level was too low..... diff was wrecked as he had to "drag" using the engine, the car to the side of the road, there was enough traction in the diff still to get some movement of the rear wheels...

dont mean to panic you..

oil coating on the seals or base of diff gearbox is ok, very oily means its getting bad and if you are finding oil on the floor.... thats a bad sign...

I've only ever drained and refilled the gearbox diff unit. I've not done a levels check.

The protocol for most diff units for the fill level, is you fill till the oil drips out... ie you cant get any more in..... however, this is mechanic "generic" practice and i prefer to check the proper procedure for the 340. Haynes lists the oil capacity of the gearbox and diff. The diff uses automatic gearbox fluid I think.....( its red ). Check this though,,,, been a while since the last diif oil change....

Anyone got a gearbozx manual which details the way to check the oil level??

If you are going to change the oil, remember to remove the FILLEr plug ( side ) first then remove the drain plug. This way, if the filler plug is stuck, you dont end up with an empty gearbox and no way to re fill it!!!!

keep us posted what you decide to do or any extrta info you get!

Im curious if there is a gearbox dif level checking procedure

Shimon

Post by **petefarrell360** » 21 Mar 2005 12:23 am

I seem to think that you can manage to dip the level through the filler with a finger, that was on a lift though. I really should get mine sorted. Best of luck.
Pete

Post by **SoLaMaNdA** » 21 Mar 2005 12:43 pm

I'm fairly sure the Haynes manual for the 360 is exactly as shimon says. Fill till you can't get anymore in.

Post by **Geez** » 21 Mar 2005 03:55 pm

Cheers fella s really appreciate your input. Will keep you posted as to how its going 340pw