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]

ImageUploadedByAULRO1431076274.748616.jpg

[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)

[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 ) 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?