Hi all,

Noticed a slow oil leak a few weeks ago. Oil level seemed fine so I ignored it, like an idiot.

It seemed to get worse (oil leak, car still drove fine) so took it to my mechanic. He seemed to think the gearbox gaskets and sump plug needed changing. Plus a gearbox oil change. £300 lighter we collected the car. 2 days later and it's still leaking.

Took it back and now he thinks the gearbox has been run with oil level too low so it'll die soon. Dunno how he didn't notice that last time. He suggested I 'nurse it's for now' and look to get a new gearbox. No charge for this diagnosis.

Car seems to run and drive fine.

So I've got to find a decent used gearbox and he'll charge me £300 to fit it.

Provided I match the engine code and gearbox code (and model/mark, engine capacity etc...) can I just buy one off eBay?

According to the sticker on the boot floor I've got a CAXA engine with an LHY gearbox. Presumably any gearbox with these codes should fit, right? Of course I've no real idea of the condition of the used gearbox but presumably it'd be better than mine.

Or do I spend a bit more and get a 'reconditioned' one? Although that seems to be £1000+ and the car isn't worth much.

Or get a second opinion?

Or just drive it until I dies (but I'm concerned it'll go without warning in the middle of nowhere). If I do this I'll be sure to keep topping up the gearbox oil, although I understand it's not easy to get to and I'll have to jack the car up each time (I've got axle stands and a trolley jack).

Thanks all.

Edited 13 May13 May by UnclePuncher

Definitely get a second opinion!

Where is the oil leaking from - engine or gearbox?

How or where were you checking oil level?

Are there any symptoms from the gearbox at present?

30 minutes ago, Warrior193 said:

Definitely get a second opinion!

Where is the oil leaking from - engine or gearbox?

How or where were you checking oil level?

Are there any symptoms from the gearbox at present?

Apparently it's leaking from the gearbox, not the engine. If I look under the car I can see oil forming droplets on the plate that forms the bottom of the gearbox.

I only checked the engine oil (using the dipstick) as until this past week I didn't realise the gearbox had its own oil. I'd assumed it used the same oil as the engine (I know almost nothing about engines - clearly).

Car feels fine. It's 14 years old so it's no spring chicken but it feels the same as it has done for the past few years.

Ask the guy who is claiming probable damage how much oil was recovered when he originally drained the box.

Sudden failure is very unlikely unless the gearbox has been making loud and unusual noises for a considerable time, or has been throwing out of gear under acceleration/decelleration.

If the gearbox isnt noisy and gear selections are good and positive I would see if the oil leak can be fixed. It may be as simple as just a gasket or seal unless the box has to be dismantled to fit gasket. I would run it and see if its repairable and at the same time start searching for second hand box just

in case. Came accross Trent breakers who seem to have a few Gbox plus offer warranty but not sure how long https://www.trents.co.uk/manufacturer/skoda/skoda-octavia#/

Alasdair

2 hours ago, Alasdair1 said:

If the gearbox isnt noisy and gear selections are good and positive I would see if the oil leak can be fixed. It may be as simple as just a gasket or seal unless the box has to be dismantled to fit gasket. I would run it and see if its repairable and at the same time start searching for second hand box just

in case. Came accross Trent breakers who seem to have a few Gbox plus offer warranty but not sure how long https://www.trents.co.uk/manufacturer/skoda/skoda-octavia#/

Alasdair

Thanks. He's done the gaskets. Assuming he did all if them. Beyond that are the 'seals' separate?

Thanks for the info. I'll investigate that link.

3 hours ago, Warrior193 said:

Ask the guy who is claiming probable damage how much oil was recovered when he originally drained the box.

Sudden failure is very unlikely unless the gearbox has been making loud and unusual noises for a considerable time, or has been throwing out of gear under acceleration/decelleration.

I'm going to see him tomorrow. He's not great at answering the phone. I suspect he'll say he didn't measure it but it looked low. Assuming he knows how much should be in there.

Is there any sign of oil leaking from the bottom of the clutch bellhousing?

1 hour ago, Warrior193 said:

Is there any sign of oil leaking from the bottom of the clutch bellhousing?

I'm at work at the moment so can't check. Will look when I get home. And get some photos.

However there are droplets forming on the bolts that hold the bottom plate of the gearbox on. It's still leaking but it's not that bad. What scared me was my wife used the car on Monday and parked in a public car park. Sizeable oil patch under the car when she left. Could be from another car but looked pretty fresh.

Place a weighted piece of clean cardboard under the engine the next time it's parked up at home.

5 minutes ago, Warrior193 said:

Place a weighted piece of clean cardboard under the engine the next time it's parked up at home.

I did this last night. Nothing there this morning. But there are still droplets on the engine and it's definitely leaked on the driveway a bit since we had work done on it.

Hope theres still oil in it? If its leaking at a plate it may be possible to remove and seal up again. Not sure if its a gasket or special sealant. Had an old toyota import that sump and Gbox were sealed with special grey silicone. Dealers were very expensive but I used Loctite SI5699

Been on for years and no leaks.

That tends to suggest that the oil spill she noticed in the car park isn't from yours.

The oil in carpark could be yours and as said hope there's oil left in it. Worth getting oil level checked as if there's none left the leak will stop.

Alasdair

1 hour ago, Warrior193 said:

That tends to suggest that the oil spill she noticed in the car park isn't from yours.

Hopefully. We've got a mechanic to give us a second opinion booked in for tomorrow.

1 hour ago, Alasdair1 said:

The oil in carpark could be yours and as said hope there's oil left in it. Worth getting oil level checked as if there's none left the leak will stop.

Alasdair

That's my worry.

Update: the other mechanic also says it needs a new gearbox. They've given me a quote of £1650 but it'll take 2 weeks.

I don't think it's worth it for a car of this age. Looking at a replacement Octavia of the same age it's about the cost of this repair. Plus we'd need to hire a car for the next 2 weeks.

Hoping to recoup a bit by selling it privately. It still runs and drives just fine. If I was single I'd just keep driving it until it died. But my wife wouldn't accept that.

2 hours ago, UnclePuncher said:

Hoping to recoup a bit by selling it privately. It still runs and drives just fine. If I was single I'd just keep driving it until it died. But my wife wouldn't accept that.

Speaking of which, What's the best route for selling a car? Had an absolute nightmare the only time I sold one. Through eBay and had tons of messages about ending the auction early. The winner refused to come collect the car. Or pay. Relisted, got less. New winner was a pain in the arse too and kept moaning about things on the car he'd not seen from my (fairly extensive) photos. He paid below the final price in the end but mostly just so he'd go away and I didn't have to relist it.

Thinking about sticking it through a local car auction. No messing about then. Any experience of that?

Try we buy any car etc. There not to know gearbox is failing? Stick in your reg and see what they will give you. Auctions are a bit of a lottery as it depends if two or more people are interested but if you have one fairly local maybe worth a shot. Check what commision they ask and if theres VAT involved.

Alasdair