t seal 300tdi defender

[mudder110]

hi all ive been doing a bit of work on the old girl defender not missus
its a 1998 110 300tdi ive had a oil leak that I believe to be the t seal
between the sump and the bell housing been leaking for the last 5 years
was not to concerned but I think its seeping through the bell housing as oil is now coming out of the drain hole in the bell housing so think I need to fix it
its not the sump or rear main, only need to top it up every 1200ks or so
wondering can this be done with the gearbox in. any feed back appreciated
cheers.

[manic]

[460cixy]

If its coming out of the wadding plug my money's on the rear main.

[mudder110]

don't think so got silicon where sump meets bell housing with out silicon
it pumps out, had rear main done 60,000ks ago when clutch was done
maybe they are both gone

[DasLandRoverMan]

If its out like the 2.25 setup then it's gearbox off or engine out.

[Nomad9]

Hi Mudder 110,
Sorry my friend I would say that one or the other is coming out. Knowing what I know now taking the engine out will be easier than trying to drag the gearbox out and then struggling underneath the vehicle replacing the seals, which ever one or if both have gone.
I would say taking te engine out is by far the easier option, when it is out you can check everything else and replace a few of the other susceptible parts / gaskets. The 300 tdi motor in the defender has plenty of room for access. Might want to do the timing belt while you are at it, if you are planning that get the crankshaft bolt undone before you take the engine out and make the proper jig to hold the pulley.
If it is just a quick out and back in still think taking the engine out is by far the easiest option. The gearbox is heavy and awkward to balance, considerably easier if you have access to a hoist.

[mudder110]

cheers marty engine out is the go got a mate with all the gear so looks like ill be up for the refreshments thanks again