Amazon: gearbox oil leaks

[packers1712]

Good afternoon all,

I have looked at previous threads regarding the title and have seen there a numerous causes for leaks, trying to identify the leak on my gearbox is proving difficult in that if I clean down and then run the car with a view to inspect post run oil has gone everywhere because of under body air turbulence and various other factors, it naturally drips from the lowest points which also isn't much help!
Running it stationary on stands doesn't seem to be enough for the leak to show itself.
Given the gearbox and overdrive unit where overhauled by a specialist whilst in the care of the PO not that long ago I'm assuming the gaskets and relevant seals aren't that old, with that in mind has anyone successfully used any form of "stop leak" product in their gearbox?
I'm trying to avoid taking the box out again but if this is a serious no no maybe that's the only option!

Thanks in advance Doug.

[Ron Kwas]

Doug;

...the smell of engine oil vs gearbox oil is very different, and you might try driving the car less and slower to give it less of a chance to spread from the source...

Good Hunting!

[Derek UK]

Not if he is using the same oil in both, maybe 20/50. I'd go round all of the nuts and bolts. They may not have been tightened down properly at the overhaul and gaskets can settle. There are also 2 copper sealing rings that are easily forgotten. Top front of GB I think but I believe you have to drop the box to fit them.

[packers1712]

Thanks Ron and Derek,

I'm not using the same oil it is definitely gear oil that is covering everything not engine oil, I've checked every fixing I can get onto and everything is tight I may have a look into the copper washers you speak of Derek!
The amount coming out has got less but I guess that's due to there being less in there, to the point that the overdrive stopped engaging last night on a run down to the Ace Café! Could this be an indication that its likely to be coming from the O/D or is it simply a symptom of low oil?
Any thoughts on "stop leak" products?

Doug.

[Underdrive]

Originally Posted by packers1712

Thanks Ron and Derek,

I'm not using the same oil it is definitely gear oil that is covering everything not engine oil, I've checked every fixing I can get onto and everything is tight I may have a look into the copper washers you speak of Derek!
The amount coming out has got less but I guess that's due to there being less in there, to the point that the overdrive stopped engaging last night on a run down to the Ace Café! Could this be an indication that its likely to be coming from the O/D or is it simply a symptom of low oil?
Any thoughts on "stop leak" products?

Doug.

If the leak was coming from the O/D there would be no oil on the gearbox. If the oil is leaking fairly soon after you have cleaned it off you won't see any oil further forward than the leak, only behind it. Speedo cable connection is always a favourite.

[c1800]

Hi, I was able to add the copper washers on the bolts Derek mentioned on my 1800E without removing the trans from the car. A very tight squeeze and fiddly, but I got it done. Can’t recall the tool I used for the bolts, some combination of a swivel on the ratchet I think.

You could also try a UV dye/black light leak detector after a good cleaning and just enough running to activate the leak. Or first just fill it up, with some dye and let it sit overnight, it might be a gravity leak.

My leak slowed substantially after I replace the copper washers, still have an apparent leak from the Speedo cable, which I haven’t addressed yet.

[Army]

In the past I've dressed up leaking parts like a shaving disaster (!) - bog roll and masking tape placed over a cleaned surface is pretty handy at showing the source of leaks (have to keep it away from hot surfaces though as a flaming shaving disaster could up the game somewhat)

At the point of assembly - to stop possible outcomes described in this thread - I've been using spray on hylomar gasket dressing.

I discovered the stuff when combating corrosion between steel blocks and alloy heads but it has proved to be bloody useful for gearboxes, steering boxes and differentials. A bit of magic goo helps a lot.

[packers1712]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys but yesterday evening I had some success in identifying the culprit, I cleaned it all down again and ran the car on stands in 4th gear in the air for quite sometime and my patience paid off, the copper sealing washer between the O/D solenoid and O/D casing was where the leak was coming from!
I removed the solenoid, which required the modification of my 1 inch spanner as the open end was too wide to fit between the casing and solenoid and it was tight.
The intention was to replace the washer however my stash of washers typically didn't have one big enough so I decided to anneal it and then re-flat the the faces on some wet and dry on top of an old bathroom tile to ensure flatness and as it is post re-build and road test we are oil tight so fingers crossed I may have cured the leak!
I did also refill the oil level back up before anyone suggests that its no longer leaking because its probably empty and my overdrive works again!

Doug.