Joined: Sep 2018 Posts: 134 Threads: 17
Reputation:
6
Location: Oop North
30-01-2019, 11:54 AM
(This post was last modified: 30-01-2019, 11:55 AM by mk1-mark.)
First, Thanks for all the help recently, it is much appreciated.
My lad managed to get the clutch changed over Christmas & all seems to be working very well indeed. He has however noticed that there is now a fairly considerable oil leak coming from the gearbox / clutch housing area. We have both read up on this both using the search & elsewhere & have determined that he has either;
A) Overfilled the gearbox. He used the specified 2/3 of a pint. Where as people seem to be recommending just 1/2 a pint. Is this correct?
B) Damaged a seal around the 1st moting shaft of the box. Is this easy to do?
As a plan of action is is worth emptying & re filling the gearbox to just 1/2 a pint & seeing what happens or should we pull it to bits again sharpish to avoid saturating the clutch plate with oil?
Any advice is much appreciated.
Thanks,
Joined: Mar 2015 Posts: 5,443 Threads: 231
Reputation:
67
Location: Scotchland
Is the leak engine or gearbox oil Mark?
Joined: Sep 2018 Posts: 134 Threads: 17
Reputation:
6
Location: Oop North
It appears to be Gearbox oil, but it is difficult to tell as both are clean as a whistle at the moment.
Joined: Mar 2015 Posts: 5,443 Threads: 231
Reputation:
67
Location: Scotchland
If it turns out to be engine oil you may want to investigate the rear main seal/thrower.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 2,401 Threads: 33
Reputation:
36
Location: Deepest Frogland 30960
Car type: 1933 RP Standard Saloon
I would drain the oil and see how much comes out. If it's a 4 speeder then you definitely don't need a lot of oil. 1/2 pint is probably enough, just to the bottom of the threads on the filler hole.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 3,394 Threads: 106
Reputation:
28
Location: Darkest Bedfordshire
If that's your only leak Mark you're doing alright...
There aren't any gearbox seals unless it's a very late Ruby. Unlikely he's damaged anything unless he's been belting it with a hammer.
Are you sure it wasn't leaking before? If so focus first on what your lad has done (or indeed undone) when he did the clutch job.
There are two or three fittings behind the flywheel which could leak oil but more likely the rear main as Ruairidh suggests.
Oil emerging from the block - crankcase joint or oil pressure gauge fitting can also find its way under the flywheel cover.
Personally I'd continue running and keep an eye on the oil levels!
Joined: Sep 2018 Posts: 134 Threads: 17
Reputation:
6
Location: Oop North
Thanks for the encouragement / suggestions. It's a 3 speed box. The engine / gearbox was dripping a bit before Adam did the clutch, but it seems to be a lot worse now. The scroll seal behind the flywheel was good before, so I can't see why it should have given up now.
I think as a first line of attack we will check the oil level in the gearbox & take it from there.
I'll keep you posted.
Joined: Dec 2017 Posts: 1,160 Threads: 68
Reputation:
8
Location: Nottinghamshire. Robin Hood County
Car type: Austin Ruby Mk1 1935
Mark, As a guide engine oil if it has been in the engine for a few hundred miles or so goes black with carbon. Gear box oil is like it goes in when new relatively clear so you should be able to work out where the oil is coming from. Engine or gearbox .
John Mason.
Would you believe it "Her who must be obeyed" refers to my Ruby as the toy.
Joined: Sep 2018 Posts: 134 Threads: 17
Reputation:
6
Location: Oop North
As I said above, both the engine oil & the gearbox oil is fresh as a daisy & perfectly clean at the moment so it is impossible to tell what it is at the moment.
But thanks for the heads up, it is appreciated.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 986 Threads: 6
Reputation:
12
Location: Scottish Borders
On the 3-speed box the engine oil dip stick also works on the gearbox. It goes in through the the filler plug on the top and needs to be fiddled past the gears to rest on the bottom of the box.
Jim
