Hey all.

another issue with the L&K. Its getting annoying now all these issues.

I have what looks like oil leaking to the pipes and cables to the rear of the gearbox. its over everything and has a distinct hydraulic type of smell to it. I was wondering if there is a common place where gearbox oil mist/vapour could leak from the box? I dont want to have to replace the gearbox so soon after a steering rack.

Was there an oil leak from the rack? If so, was it cleaned up properly? If, not start by cleaning up the oil and see if the issue recurrs.

Yes there was a leak from the rack but it poured rather than sprayed. I guess a good clean wouldnt hurt

Yeah, my thought is that if you clean it up and it doesn't recur then it was PAS fluid and not gear oil. If you look in a couple of days after cleaning and it's recurred, at least you'll can get a good idea of exactly where the leak is.

Engine cleaned and new covers fitted underneath. Now after 200 miles there is definatley an oil film building up on the clutch pipes and the driveshaft and everything nearby and the gearbox oil type spell is back when the engine is hot. I really suspect a leak now but the film is over so much I cant get an idea of where its coming from. any culprits? A vent maybe or a connector that night be loose? Im not a gearbox man, I have no clue at all.

It does sound likely; the trouble is that examination is the only way of positively finding a leak.

when you say rear of the gearbox, do you mean the top rear? as in the master cylinder to slave cylinder pipe? the union/fitting can fail there and cause a weep onto the top of the box and down below as a result.

Take the pipe out, from the slave end and clean it up and inspect for damage.

when you say rear of the gearbox, do you mean the top rear? as in the master cylinder to slave cylinder pipe? the union/fitting can fail there and cause a weep onto the top of the box and down below as a result.

Take the pipe out, from the slave end and clean it up and inspect for damage.

Ok, that makes sense to me, but I'd expect you to have a drop in fluid level if that's leaking?

indeed ken, thats a good sign though it weeps usually a small amount so can take a while to register as low in the reservior.

Yes top rear. It does look like it could be the union to be, its actually looking like my wifes A3 definatley has a leak on the union all of a sudden too. Ill take a look.

I'm not familiar with your engine, but could it be the gearbox driveshaft seal?

Mine was leaking and the driveshaft was flicking it up behind the engine/turbo area.

have you taken the union out, cleaned it up (and surrounding area) then refitted to use and check for further leaks yet?

Not yet looked, its definatley getting more oil in and around the gearbox though. Next time I have a car fiddling session ill report back.