300tdi bell housing drain plug missing!!!

[squizzyhunter]

Hey there guys!
I am no mechanic so be easy on me (though I'll have a crack at most mechanical issues)

I was crawling under the deefer today and found the that the "bell housing drain plug/sump was missing. I have had it since Feb and haven't done any clutch work to it (the engine removal part doest sound fun).

Have attached pic as I probably dont have the right name for it :-)

As have only had it back on the road for a while after redoing the head (have done about 1000kms) but unsure of how long this has been missing.
So how screwed am I? Will this put dust and crap into the clutch and kill it quickly or just reduce clutch life slightly?

Also where can I source one in brissy over the weekend?? as I usually get everything through Roverlord but need to use deefer over the weekend so local pick up needed.

[squizzyhunter]

93602

[p38arover]

I assume you are talking about the wading plug which is only fitted when going through water. It's mentioned in the owner's handbook. (This from the D1 handbook)

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=93604&stc=1&d=1431076685

[squizzyhunter]

Haha ...FNG..... Dam that really shows my incompetence but am very happy to hear that :-). Thanks!

Doesn't it get gunk in there though?

[87County]

It's to let the gunk out :)

[Jode]

That drain plug is to the bell housing, in which the clutch lives. This area of the engine is supposed to be free of any lubricants, and as the hole is very small it is unlikely that you'll get any serious dust in their when driving. However if you wade you'll get water up there, which the clutch won't like - hence the advice to screw the wading plug in prior to wading. If you need one it's part number ERC7295.

The bell housing is SUPPOSED to be free of any lubricants, however it isn't uncommon to get engine oil leaking past the crankshaft oil seal, hence the advice to use the plug only when wading so any oil leaks can find their way out without fouling the clutch plate.

[p38arover]

It seems the 300 Tdi doesn't come with the plug. You'll note from the V8 drawing, one removes the plug from its parking place and moves it to the drain hole when wading.

[rick130]

It seems the 300 Tdi doesn't come with the plug. You'll note from the V8 drawing, one removes the plug from its parking place and moves it to the drain hole when wading.


They do, the plugs are in the tool roll.
There are two, one each for the bell housing and timing cover, or that's where they are supposed to be.

[squizzyhunter]

Thank you very much for clearing that up for me guys! I remember hearing about those on the old UK army driver training videos, but when I saw a non plugged hole on inspection (with obviously untrained eyes :D) I thought bugger there goes my weekend. I am grateful there isn't another addition to the long list of work to do on the Tdi;)
Cheers guys!

[Ranga]

So... who actually ever uses these plugs?

[PhilipA]

Don't worry , oil floats on water so your car will never sink.

Regards Philip A

[p38arover]

Thank you very much for clearing that up for me guys! I remember hearing about those on the old UK army driver training videos, but when I saw a non plugged hole on inspection (with obviously untrained eyes :D) I thought bugger there goes my weekend. I am grateful there isn't another addition to the long list of work to do on the Tdi;)
Cheers guys!

Did you find them in the tool roll?

[donh54]

So... who actually ever uses these plugs?

I do :D -bought a set from Roverlord.

Sent from my SM-G900I using AULRO mobile app

[rick130]

So... who actually ever uses these plugs?

Err, umm....


Don't worry , oil floats on water so your car will never sink.

Regards Philip A


You're right Philip I've had 3000kg of Defender float sideways downriver and I'd forgotten the wading plugs ! :angel:

[Gumnut]

I find I get a more satisfactory outcome to a rego inspection if they are both inserted immediately before washing and inspection!! Ever heard a bald rego tester squeal when a teensy drop of oil hits his melon???

Gumnut

[squizzyhunter]

Did you find them in the tool roll?

No will have to get one from Roverlord as I dont even have the tool roll:o Just my giant tool box permanently in the back ATM

[Didge]

I have the plugs but, with the excitement of a river crossing, invariably forget to put them in :)

[Judo]

Never used mine. Next time I change the timing belt I'll be interested to see how much mud is in there. :D

[460cixy]

Some one used mine to hide a leaking front crank seal timing case was about half full of engine oil when I changed the belt

[andylandy]

I have mine permanently fitted, 300TDI Disco, and check them as a minimum every service. I leave them fitted so that if there is a leak I can judge how bad the leak is.....in the 11 years I've owned the car it's never leaked into the bell housing, and only once into the timing belt case, and that was about half an eggcup full, so left the plug out untill I next changed the timing belt (which fortunately wasn't to many K's away).

works for me :D

Andy

[Didge]

There you go - ya learn something every day - I didn't know there was one for the timing belt :eek2:

[schuy1]

In theory no water should enter the t/belt housing,the bell principle, but it does and I can say that it makes a funny noise on the belt :/