Thread: I think there’s something missing from my 300TDI…

Originally Posted by Landibandi

I purchased a pretty ratched disco and just realised the engine is missing a bolt or even something bigger The car runs like clockwork but leaks like every Land Rover..Can someone tell me what I am missing there?
IMG_4689.jpg

Welcome to AULRO,

That's the timing cover drain, it's meant to be open.

You can screw in a bung when in deep water or mud to keep water/mud out of the timing belt.

There is another one in the bell housing if it's a manual.

Tony

Also, I'd give it a clean up and make sure the oil isn't coming out of the timing cover.

Do you you know when the belt was changed?

Tony

Originally Posted by TonyC

Do you you know when the belt was changed?

Tony

If not, it should be on a very short list.

Originally Posted by TonyC

Also, I'd give it a clean up and make sure the oil isn't coming out of the timing cover.

....

Tony

for sure it's front main seal.
I did mine twice.

I did the timing belt one time far too early as it was close too service time, but just too early.. was easier to just do it, than to do just seal and then come back 30K later to do it again.
I wondered why seal leaked so early after doing belt, and then Mike at Britrest explained it well.
The more commonly available crank gear for the belt have a harder edged machining method. So when the main seal goes on, it easily damages the seal ... and then seal gives way earlier.
What he does, is to get his machinist to chamfer the edge of the crank gear with a more rounded edge.

Last time I did my belt, I didn't notice it ... stoopid! and of course she's leaking again.

So what I now did is I fitted a tap T fitting that fits the threads on the drain bung hole. The tap part is to simply let the excess oil drain out. The T fitting is to allow a clear hose connected as well. The clear hose part is to watch the build up of oil in the timing case. So the tap is set to allow oil to build up into the clear hose, then opened so that oil build up can be drained out. Works good, and engine is oil leak free and not dripping all over the place.

And for the OP, check the glovebox, there could be a wading plug(or two) in there for this drain hole ... and the one on the rear bellhousing too.
If they're not in there, that's also common.