Drive Shaft Oil Seal Leak

[Guest NAVIC]

Hi, new to the forum. I have a C3 1.4 HDI exclusive 03 plate with a full serice history. 52,000 miles on the clock.

 

Took it to a garage recently ( gearbox specialists)as i noticed am oil leak at the engine end of the driveshaft between the engine and gearbox. It looses about 1/5 incriment of oil every 6-8 weeks. I was told it was engine oil not gearbox.

 

The garage said it was a partial failure of the oil seal. It was a big job as they would have to remove the gearobx and fly wheel to replace the seal. £ 600+ for the job as it would take 8 hours to remove the gearbox.

 

My question is this.

 

1. Is it worth getting this work done considering the cost and the amount of oil loss?

 

2. Waht could cause such a failure in a car with only 52,000 miles on the clock?

 

Many thanks

[Johndouglas]

I'm not familiar with your engine size but surely if oil is leaking from the driveshaft then it's gear oil, not engine oil?

[Guest NAVIC]

I'm not familiar with your engine size but surely if oil is leaking from the driveshaft then it's gear oil, not engine oil?

 

Hi thanks for your response. The driveshaft in question runs from the gearbox to the engine. The leak is at the oil seal on the engine side. Thus leaking engine oil.

 

The engine on the c3 is a 1.4 HDI 16v 92 BHP

 

Cheers

[Johndouglas]

The driveshaft in question runs from the gearbox to the engine. The leak is at the oil seal on the engine side.

I don't understand! Driveshafts run from the gearbox to the driving wheels - ie: the front wheels. Each side has an oil seal and they cost only a couple of quid each. They can be replaced in minutes- after you have removed the shafts. Should you perhaps be talking about the crankshaft seal?

[stimulator]

This sounds like he is talking about the crankshaft and maybe has oil coming out of the clucth but then maybe not. Agree it's not vey clear