Hello

I have an Octavia 1.9 SDI on 03 plate

Its done 125k

I managed to feather it home from the 02 to Canterbury with a really badly slipping clutch.

I noticed quite a large puddle of oil underneath the drivers side front tyre the next morning. Is it possible there could be gearbox problems too.

I'm also told that my car is right on the cusp of the duel mass fly wheel. is there any way i can tell without having it taken apart?

I love this car and dont want to let it go but if the prices to repair are going to be astronomical i can get another one for £2000.

If anyone has any ideas i'd be much abliged.

Thank you

Stephen

Might just be the crankshaft oil seal (or another seal) has gone and has contaminated the clutch plate. Was the oil you found engine oil or gearbox oil. You can tell gearbox oil a mile away by the smell.

Thanks foryour reply Joeboy.

I didn't really know the difference between the oils but it did stink to high heaven.

That gives me a glimmer of hope.

Will try and get under it tomorrow and see what i can find.

Is there any tell tale signs i should look for?

Raelly apprieciate you advice.

Many Thanks

Stephen

Might just be the crankshaft oil seal (or another seal) has gone and has contaminated the clutch plate. Was the oil you found engine oil or gearbox oil. You can tell gearbox oil a mile away by the smell.

You could do with finding where the oil is coming from to begin with. If its getting on the clutch then it must be pretty bad. I think the gearbox is going the have to come out by the sounds of it to see whats gone wrong. The sdi box is not a very strong box and they do cause trouble. But the box is not a bad one to get out, you just have to pull it off the engine a little and then push the back end up then pull right of the engine and it will drop out of the bottom. Shame the weather has turned though.

Its always worth exploring that you might have 2 separate faults. Like an oil leak and a stuck thrust bearing or just a worn oil clutch.

You might get away with fixing the leak and just buying a new/good friction plate if you are on a budget. (I think the thrust bearings are only about a fiver so you might as well change that too). good luck anyway.

Joeboy is entirely correct. I've a nasty feeling that the bust seal is the one on the gearbox mainshaft, because used gearoil stinks in a way that engine oil doesn't.

So I'd check the gearbox oil level before doing anything else.

The good news is that, if the clutch plate is oil contaminated, you might well just need a new driven plate and it's always good practice to replace the thrust bearing when you're in there.

The bad news is that I think you need to strip the gearbox to replace the mainshaft oil seal.