Thread: oil in timing belt cover

On a 300tdi, if its the wading plug at the front of the engine (there are two), then its the front seal which requires the timing cover case to be removed. It's not a hard job, and on a 300tdi I'd put up with it until the timing belt was due to be replaced and do the lot at the same time.

Originally Posted by Taz

on a 300tdi I'd put up with it until the timing belt was due to be replaced and do the lot at the same time.

I disagree, the oil gets on the belt and the belt will fail early.
Replace the cam and crank seals and crank O-ring. You will probably need a belt as the oil will of damaged it, also check the tensioner and idler bearing while its apart.

Originally Posted by woko

I disagree, the oil gets on the belt and the belt will fail early.
Replace the cam and crank seals and crank O-ring. You will probably need a belt as the oil will of damaged it, also check the tensioner and idler bearing while its apart.

x 2

Also replace the o'ring at the back of the crank seal on the crank shaft.

I had the belt replaced early in the year, about 13,000 kms ago. The mechanic showed me oil on the old belt and told me that it was good that I was having it done. I don't know where that oil came from since the car didn't leak until that service. So now the car leaks and I hadn't planned on replacing the belt for a long time. Will have to weigh it up.

What is more inconvenient?

Fixing it now with the associated costs or fixing it later when the belt fails due to oil contamination in the middle of the night in the pouring rain when you are running late for something important...?

Originally Posted by BigJon

What is more inconvenient?

Fixing it now with the associated costs or fixing it later when the belt fails due to oil contamination in the middle of the night in the pouring rain when you are running late for something important...?

I asked the question and I didn't like what I heard. I'd better start studying the manual and work out what needs to be done. I'm not keen on having someone else do it after the lousy job the pros did last time.

Originally Posted by woko

Replace the cam and crank seals and crank O-ring. You will probably need a belt as the oil will of damaged it, also check the tensioner and idler bearing while its apart.

Originally Posted by MinniTheMoocha

Also replace the o'ring at the back of the crank seal on the crank shaft.

Anything else I should be looking at? I'm hoping I should be able to do a job like this on my own in a weekend with no special tools and only following my workshop manual. Am I on the right track?

Hi,
Iv'e got a 300tdi which had a full rebuild 30,000ks ago, which has also developed this problem. After about a month with a front wading plug in, there was a small amount of oil which came out when I withdrew the plug.
Previously the local landrover experts had quoted about 8 hours labour for changing a cambelt - I presume this will have to be done along with all the seals as has previously been suggested?
cheers Greg

Originally Posted by Discovering NZ

Previously the local landrover experts had quoted about 8 hours labour for changing a cambelt - I presume this will have to be done along with all the seals as has previously been suggested?
cheers Greg

If experts are quoting 8 hours I think I should allow myself at least twice that.

And yes, I syill haven't looked at it.