Leak from Bellhousing 300TDI

[Spel1]

A question please. D1 300TDi, Auto.

Last week I got my transmission replaced by a reputable mechanic - reason is I can't handle the mass and wight of the unit by myself. Sourced a reasonably low km trans unit from Triumph Rover, did not want to rebuild my old one as its got really high km's, and the good used one was a less expensive option.

To the question. Since I got it back there has been a significant engine oil leak from inside the bellhousing (not from outside and in front). The rest of my engine is dry (have worked hard to get it that way). I have an air fitting in the wading hole, it lives there for reasons I have stated in other posts. I have attached some clear tube to it and can confirm it is engine oil (this tube plugged also catches the oil and stops me from dropping oil on my job sites, for which I'd get into huge strife). I did get a new rear main seal installed while the trans was out as a matter of course, it did not leak from the wading plug hole before.

What I'd like to know is, can a bad T seal leak into the bellhousing, and could this be my issue? Could this have been disturbed when the rear main assembly was installed?

Have spoken to my mechanic, and he is willing to drop the trans again, and fix it if it a badly installed rear main. But, if its something else its going to cost me another arm and leg. If it could be the T seal I'll drop the sump and bearing cap and replace before getting the trans out again.

Advice from the knowledgeable would be appreciated, thanks. Simon

[workingonit]

From your description one might guess straight off that it is the crank seal.

Crank seals - not unknown for the bolt holes in the aluminium housing to be slightly in the wrong position, enough to have the seal lip sitting incorrectly on the crank, but go unnoticed.

And then there is the debate to grease of not to grease the crank before installing the seal. Asked the sales guy at one reputable independent, mentioned here often, to ask the mechanics in the work shop what they did. Sales guy came back to the phone and said some do and some don't...uggghhhh!

'T' seal - wasn't leaking before, by your description. Doubt the install of the crank seal would disturb the 'T' seal integrity if it was truly leak proof in its own right. However, the 'T' might not have been leak proof, but was stopped from leaking by the amount of sealant behind the previous crank seal. The new seal may not have been given the same sealant treatment.

[Tank]

The rear oil (crankshaft) seal should be installed as per LR instructions or they will leak, seal kit should come with a plastic sleeve to protect the surface of the seal lip, DO NOT touch the lip of the seal, crank should be clean and with the sleeve installed in the seal should be slid into place and the plastic sleeve removed then tighten already loosely installed bolts and torque to specs, if your mechanic didn't follow LR procedure he owes you another seal fitted properly, Regards Frank.