11 replies to this topic

[Kam]

Its the little ones you gotta worry about!!!

Only happens when engine bought home after a drive and the oil is nice and thin, I get little drops of oil coming from this split pin at the very bottom of the gearbox.

I can actually push the split pin in (obviously up until the point where it splits!)

But why is it there? There is obviously a small hole there???

From the front



Close up



I dont want to bung it up unless its there for a purpose? Can't see what purpose it would have at the bottom unless it to let something escape, but oil?

Help please, my garage floor is like my bedroom floor........pure and holy

[Tomf]

Are you 100% sure oil is coming out from there? as it looks like the "wok2 flywheel housing, and there should be no oil in there atall, so if it is coming from there you will need to take the clutch/flywheel off and change the clutch oil seal...

[Kam]

I wiped around and waited and it ran down the pin, why is the split pin there though, Like I said I can push it up?

More importantly is it meant to have a split pin there?

Car runs sweet, gear changes smooth and no problems with clutch........at this point in time.

[*DJH*]

yeah your clutch oil seal has gone, you need to buy another one, and the split pin is meant to be in there

[adcyork]

The hole is top allow opil to drain if the clutch oil seal has gone instead of it collecting and covering the clutch plate in oil.

The split pin is there to prevent the hole from blocking up as it rattles about in the hole.

If it's leaking from there then it'll definetley be the clutch seal.

[Kam]

Pricey to do? Engine out jobbie? Engine kept in?

My hands are tied as I may be able to remove the engine and take it somewhere! but thats it, my skills fall rapidly after that, and I'm talking VERY rapidly!

[*DJH*]

depends, does your car have a removeable front?

[Kam]

depends, does your car have a removeable front?

Thats a big fat NO.

Uh-oh! Go on then, whats the damage?

[Jordie]

It can be done in car.

You need to remove the wok from the engine. You need to do this by supporting the engine on a jack. Undo the 2 bolts which hold the engine mount to the subframe on that side. Then lift the engine slighty (you may need to undo engine steadies for this). Remove all the bolts from around the clutch wok. Then you need to remove the clutch which requires a flywheel puller tool. Once the clutch/flywheel is out, you can see the end of the crank with the primary gear and oil seal on. Removing the C clip from the crank, will allow you to pull the primary gear out which should also bring out the oil seal. Replacing is abit more tricky, as it doesnt just push back into the hole. Either put the primary gear back on without a seal, then place the seal over the gear and tap in gently and square with something. Or theres a tool out there which can install the primary gear and oil seal at the same time, perfectly square.

A smear of oil around the seal will help fitting also.

May be worth investing in a new clutch plate and some brake/clutch cleaner to remove the oil off the other components.

Jordon

Edited by Jordie, 05 July 2008 - 07:40 PM.

[Tomf]

Well you could do it in place, but it would be alot easier and quicker to lift the engien out and do it that way, you would have to take the outer flywheel cover off, remove the clutch/flywheel, then where the crank goes through the casing, you will see a rubber ring seal, this will need replacing.

[matt615]

It's actually quite common for Minis to drip a small amount of oil like that. If you only get a few drips after a long drive, then it's not really anything to worry about. If it starts dripping lots of oil, or if the clutch starts slipping then that's the time to get it sorted.

but it would be alot easier and quicker to lift the engien out and do it that way,

Hardly. If you happen to be taking the engine out anyway, then it's easier to change the seal with the engine out. If not then it's quicker and easier to do with with the engine in situ, rather than pulling the whole engine out just to change the clutch oil seal.

Edited by matt615, 05 July 2008 - 07:50 PM.

[Kam]

matt615 - You say its sort of ok if its a very small drip, to be honest the cars been sat in the garage for a few hours now and my floor is dry? I take it as adcyork said its there as preventive maitenance but its a sign the seal has gone if its alot?

Alfies signs are 50/50?

Thanks for the replies folks, cheers Jordie for the full guide

I'll be honest I've been looking for a reason to pull the engine out just to see if I can do it on a mini! The actual work needed is beyond my skills and would be best left to someone else.

I'll get some quotes for engine in situ and not and go from there.