Oil Leaked From Near Vacuum Pump

[kailanayacht]

I hope someone can advise me on a potential problem on Puma Engine in my 2008 Defender.

Was driving yesterday and noticed some oil leaking onto the top of the front fender panel (passenger side). The oil was draining from under the bonnet. When I lifted the bonnet, I noticed oil had sprayed onto the underside of the bonnet, on an area located above the vacuum pump. On closer inspection, it looked like there was some oil pooling around the area where the vacuum pump is bolted to the coolant pump. I wiped the oil clean from under the bonnet (and the fender panel) and continued driving. Little or no more oil has sprayed onto the under bonnet since then.

Any ideas where the oil may have sprayed from? I am thinking perhaps from a ruptured gasket between the vacuum / coolant pumps? Any oil in these things? Need repair urgently?

[TimNZ]

Your Vac Pump oil seal has failed, very common problem on the 2007/8 model defenders. You need a replacement pump sorry :( The pump will keep leaking engine oil until it is replaced.

Have a look here for more information:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/59261-defender-service-bulletins-messages-recalls-07-onwards.html#post841201

Cheers,

[portafilter]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/143060-viscous-cooling-fan-vacuum-pump.html

[kailanayacht]

Thanks for the info guys. Bummer about the pump I will replace it ASAP. However, why do you think the oil stopped leaking after the initial? There is normal engine oil level appearing on the sump dipstik. Have driven approximately 300km since the oil first leaked from around the vac pump (happened out in the country) and oil levels still good with no further leaking. Strange?

[TimNZ]

It is strange that it has stopped leaking? I would change it anyway to be sure.

If you want to change the pump yourself there are some pictures on Portafilters thread:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/143060-viscous-cooling-fan-vacuum-pump.html#post1615272

The parts you will need are:

Vac Pump LR014973
Gasket LR004381

The pumps have since been modifyed to prevent the seal from failing.

[kailanayacht]

Got the recommended replacement pump and gasket sent from UK. Fitted myself easy job all good now no more leak. I found the belt tensioner easy to release by moving with a 25mm spanner from underneath. Leave the fan belt in place, just remove the top fan cover, simple job. Torque the pump bolts to 23Nm as recommended. Thanks for all the advice from others in this thread.