question Saracen Gearbox Leak

[Starfire]

Hi All,

 

The main gearbox in my Saracen is leaking. The symptoms that I am seeing are:

 

• Dropping oil level (~1L/100km)
  
• Oil being flicked up around the edges of the front floor inspection panels
  
  • Mostly on the left side
    
  • Pools around the Gear Change Pedal, making it a bit slippery
    

   

   

  [*]Oil dripping out from under the hull

   

  • The cover under the oil tank drain plug is missing and this is where it leaks from
    

   

   

 

 

I'm not overly concerned about it as, for the time being, I can just frequently top up the gearbox and place a couple of rags on the floor to soak up some of the mess, but I guess that in the longer term, I'll have to fix the leak.

 

Do you think that it will be leaking from the front or rear main seal (I'm leaning more towards the front), or from another location? It'd probably make the most sense to replace both seals, but I assume that the gearbox will have to come out for that, probably by removing the engine first.

 

Can anyone offer any comments or suggestions?

 

Cheers,

Terry

[Richard Farrant]

Hi All,

 

The main gearbox in my Saracen is leaking. The symptoms that I am seeing are:

 

• Dropping oil level (~1L/100km)

• Oil being flicked up around the edges of the front floor inspection panels
  • Mostly on the left side

  • Pools around the Gear Change Pedal, making it a bit slippery

   

   

  [*]Oil dripping out from under the hull

   

  • The cover under the oil tank drain plug is missing and this is where it leaks from

   

   

 

 

I'm not overly concerned about it as, for the time being, I can just frequently top up the gearbox and place a couple of rags on the floor to soak up some of the mess, but I guess that in the longer term, I'll have to fix the leak.

 

Do you think that it will be leaking from the front or rear main seal (I'm leaning more towards the front), or from another location? It'd probably make the most sense to replace both seals, but I assume that the gearbox will have to come out for that, probably by removing the engine first.

 

Can anyone offer any comments or suggestions?

 

Cheers,

Terry

 

Likely places for leaks are;

Input seal, which is in the oil pump, or running gear front plate gasket.

Bottom plate gasket (this plate supports the bands so requires complete strip of box)

Side cover on selector side.

Drain plug.

Top cover gasket.

Rear face gasket where box mates to transfer box.

 

As the oil is being flung up, I would think it is from within the bell housing, so removal of tinwork in that area should reveal the source.

[Starfire]

Thanks Richard,

 

I'll lift some of the flooring when I have a bit of time and see what I can find.

 

Cheers,

Terry