Rear Crank Oil Seal

[dalhalvaig 0]

Can you tell if the rear crank oil seal on a VR6 is leaking without splitting the engine and gearbox? Also for the first motion shaft seal, can you tell if that is leaking with out splitting the engine and gearbox? Is there an inspection cover that you can open?

 

Thanks

 

Dalhalvaig

[16VG60 1]

Sadly it is not possible to isolate the crank or shaft seal as the cause of a leak by observing directly these items. There is no "observation hatch" that can ne removed, but however if you have access a snapon endoscope then you could check the first motion shaft seal by removing the clutch slave cylinder, thus leaving an access point into the bell housing. The crank seal is completely obscured by the flywheel. Normally the diagnosis on such issues would be done by logic. So if you have a contaminated slipping clutch and oil is visibly found within the bell housing by removing the lower tin plate flywheel cover, it is fair to assume the seal/s are compromised. In any case the clutch is going to have to be changed if it is contaminated. What is it that makes you think these seals are a potential problem?

[dalhalvaig 0]

Sadly it is not possible to isolate the crank or shaft seal as the cause of a leak by observing directly these items. There is no "observation hatch" that can ne removed, but however if you have access a snapon endoscope then you could check the first motion shaft seal by removing the clutch slave cylinder, thus leaving an access point into the bell housing. The crank seal is completely obscured by the flywheel. Normally the diagnosis on such issues would be done by logic. So if you have a contaminated slipping clutch and oil is visibly found within the bell housing by removing the lower tin plate flywheel cover, it is fair to assume the seal/s are compromised. In any case the clutch is going to have to be changed if it is contaminated. What is it that makes you think these seals are a potential problem?

 

Thanks for that

 

I've just had car checked out by the RAC and this was their conclusion. The owner had it rechecked by a garage and they said the leak came from the oil cooler which he's going to get fixed. I was baffled about how the RAC and the garage could have such different conclusions. I'm not sure that the RAC would do 'invasive' checks involving removal of parts...

 

Cheers

 

D

[CorradoVR6-Turbo 0]

well first thing to do is check the engine and gearbox oil and smell the oil leaking to determine if its box or engine oil,it would probably be wise to brake cleaner the hole area off and run it for a while and recheck.

[dalhalvaig 0]

Thanks for these suggestions

 

D

[easypops 8]

well first thing to do is check the engine and gearbox oil and smell the oil leaking to determine if its box or engine oil,it would probably be wise to brake cleaner the hole area off and run it for a while and recheck.

 

Silly question time.........what's the difference?........ie is it easy to tell and how? :D

[CorradoVR6-Turbo 0]

gearbox oil has a distinct smell,quite strong,also its tends to be cleaner than engine oil,also its always cooler than engine oil.

 

If the gearbox level is dropping and you see no leaks besides the one in the centre of the motor likley hood to be the box.