Leak from sump, really frustrating

[Muncher83]

I've had an oil leak on my VX which I am 99% I have pinpointed the source of, but for some reason I am unable to correct

I think oil is leaking from the sump, at the end where it meets the gearbox. I removed the sump to replace it with a Vectra one containing an oil sensor. When I got it off I found that the bead of GM sump sealant I had put around the outside of the one of the bolt holes, therebye allowing oil to escape leak down the bolt hole and eventually out. This was confirmed by the third photo below which showed some oil was sitting on the long bolt inside the sump casing.

I re-installed the new sump with fresh sealant, cleaning both faces thoroughly and allowing the sealnat to set for 24 hours. However, I'm STILL getting a leak in the same place and am completely stumped now.

Can anyone help?

 

[BURT150]

Looks like it could be the crankshaft end seal behind the flywheel. It'l dribble down and out of the bell housing.

 

[MikeS]

agreed

i had same problem

only way oil can come out of the bell housing drain hole is via main seal behind the flywheel

only other alternative is clutch / brake fluid or a leak from around the oil filter area

 

[Muncher83]

Balls, that's going to be an engine out job to fix isn't it?

 

[vocky]

I guess it's the rear main oil seal, thats the usual symptoms

certainly requires either the gearbox or engine to be removed, will be easier to whip the box out

 

[MikeS]

i seen em do it with 3 inches of clearance when they replaced my clutch

 

[Muncher83]

I guess it's the rear main oil seal, thats the usual symptoms

certainly requires either the gearbox or engine to be removed, will be easier to whip the box out

How would you go about torquing the flywheel bolts with the engine in the car? I found that tricky enough with the engine out, stopping the flywheel turning while you used an angle gauge.

 

[vocky]

if it's a lightened flywheel then use a crowbar across the clutch stand off bits

otherwsie buy a locking tool, quite cheap from the states

 

[Muncher83]

The gearbox is one of the few things that I've not removed before, is it relatively easy?

 

[vocky]

remove lefthand suspension - remove handbrake cable, remove caliper, remove disc, disconnect tiebar, remove other lower wishbone bolt, remove the two bolts from the upper balljoint block and then whip the driveshaft out of the box and then the whole asembly can be put to one side.

then whip off the downpipe and use a big jack to hold the engine whilst you remove the gearbox mounts and bellhousing bolts, lower the engine down so it pivots on the offside engine mount and the box will slide out under the subframe

 

[Muncher83]

vocky to do this is a 2 poster lift required or can it be done on a driveway?

I guess the real question is how high does the rear of the car need to be to have sufficient clearance to get the box in/out?

 

[vocky]

doesn't need to be very high, I just put an axle stand under the chassis where the wishbone locates, use a piece of wood between the axle stand and car to prevent any marking

 

[Muncher83]

vocky, the flywheel locking tool will be very useful but is the tool to insert the seal really needed?

 

[vocky]

the flywheel locking tool is great, doubt you need a tool to fit the seal