Bell Housing Leak

[muddy69]

Did some pretty heavy towing recently and left the vehicle parked for a couple of days after. Went to start it and had no clutch pressure at all and couldn't engage 1st gear. Inspected the clutch master cyclinder and whilst no immediate signs of a leak around the cyclinder, the master fluid level was down to almost empty.

Checked slave cylinder and lines, no signs of leak. Topped the master cylinder up and took for a drive. I have noticed a steady leak of green clutch fluid from the bell housing wading hole (no plug).

Is this possibly time for a replacement of clutch. Can there be anything more sinister?? What would be approx costs to have work done through a dealer/specialist? Can anyone recommend a specialist in metro Melbourne.
I have had some difficulty in changing from 1st to 2nd gear, and have some backlash engaging reverse from 1st.
Thanks
Muddy
94 V8i Disco

[ladas]

If you have clutch fluid leaking from the bell housing it could be a simple slave cylinder replacement - as if it was my guess the fluid is leaking at the point the push rod enters the slave.

Do you know when the clutch was last replaced ?

If it it just a slave cylinder you may be lucky and not had the fluid contaminate the clutch plate

You can get a slave cylinder for about $100.00 +/- and you would have to fix it anyway - so try that first - you may be lucky, but if the plate is contaminated and you have to change that you won't have lost anything.

To change the slave is a very easy DIY job

[muddy69]

Thanks Ladas,

I am aware of the hydraulic system, but wasn't sure how external hydraulic system allows fluid into the internals of the bell housing.

I am in the process of moving and don't have my trusty RAVE Cd for reference.

[rovercare]

1. If clutch slips like a bastard when driving.......need new plate

2. clutch can't be engaged......either master cylinder or slave cylinder





Usually:D

[ladas]

Thanks Ladas,

I am aware of the hydraulic system, but wasn't sure how external hydraulic system allows fluid into the internals of the bell housing.

I am in the process of moving and don't have my trusty RAVE Cd for reference.

Well where the push rod enters the bell housing - if the piston seals have gone the only way for the fluid to travel is into the bell housing.

The slave is 'sealed' onto the housing with two bolts and a backing plate that is normally coated with waterproof jointing compound.

[muddy69]

Thanks guys.

There hasn't been any slipping so far. The internal seal on the slave must have gone because there is no sign of external fluid leak.

Great help once again from the LR community

[muddy69]

Would it be best to replace both master and slave. I have read it is wise to do both as they can both fail around the same time. I do have 175k kms on the clock.

Thanks

[ladas]

Would it be best to replace both master and slave. I have read it is wise to do both as they can both fail around the same time. I do have 175k kms on the clock.

Thanks

The master cylinders are about $185.00 +/-

You can get both at british 4wd

http://www.british4wd.com/xcart/home.php?cat=96

If you have the money then maybe a good time to do it. The reason the failures tend to be around the same time is when you fix one, it exerts more pressure on the remaining old one that it has become 'use to', and old weak seals will then give out.

[Bazz67]

Muddy

You could also look at the travel/adjustment of the push rod, if there is to much travel when clutch is engaged the seal in the slave cyclinder can go past its correct travel point and leak that way, some times it can only be minor and take awhile to cause problems, this could mean that the clutch plate is on its way out. If you have the money why not do both master and slave as you said so you dont go through dramas int the future.