Oil Leakage from engine - Identification

[irfan44]

Salam PWs
I have a civic 99. since last 1 month i observed that few drops of oil r always there in the garage. the engine lower portion is all wet with oil. but it seems that its not from engine oil drain nut.
Its probably dripping from the place where engine & transmission joins. leaking from that place can mean 2 things.
1. Its main oil seal on engine side is leaking
2. Its gear oil

I think for both the above problems, we hav to separate the transmission/ gear. but before that i want to know wat oil is this, engine oil or transmission oil.
I know that it can b identified by color but i m confused. as the oil color is almost clear. i normally change my engine oil after 1500-2000 kms max & it doesnt get dark Brownish even.

So kindly suggest how to confirm it. then wats the expenditure in both casses.
Thnx

[irfan44]

I want to add that its just a minor leak. only 2-3 drops r there during whole night.
The engine oil level doesnt seem to get low.
I hav also noticed increased echo (goonj) in cabin when driving at high speed in 5th gear.
Please elaborate complete process, specially in case of gear oil seal.

[smijaz]

Other than colour , you can identify the oil by its odour (smell).

In case its engine oil leaking from the crank seal it is not a big threat as it will not ruin your clutch plate coz its behind the flywheel.

But, if its gear oil leaking from main clutch drive shaft then it can mess up your clutch plate so in this case you should hurry fixing it.

Do ensure that both the axle seals in the gear box and oil chamber seal is not leaking before getting in to dismantling engine and transaxle.

[irfan44]

it is almost odorless, medium viscosity (almost same as engine oil).
its almost transparent as well. i bought the car abt 8 months back, so gear oil must b older than that & should not b transparent by now.
i m also worried due to same reason that if its gear oil then clutch plate is in danger

[onlyfaith]

the best thing would be to elevate the car and look under the car,
what abt engine oil level and gear oil level which one needs adding up..

[irfan44]

Both the axle seals are ok & not leaking.
i elevated the vehicle & whole underside is oily. there is more oil near the engine /transmission joint.
Engine oil is not reducing. i checked myself.
My mech checked the gear oil from filler nut & told its pouring out, so its ok. But i will check it up myself today.

If its leaking from the gear side then is it a lengthy process? the mech told me that after taking out the transmission, he has to dismantle the transmission gears completely, then change the seal.
If this is so then i m worried abt mechs abilities to put it back as oem. which may lead to other problems later.
Am i worried correctly or not?

[smijaz]

Both the axle seals are ok & not leaking.
i elevated the vehicle & whole underside is oily. there is more oil near the engine /transmission joint.
Engine oil is not reducing. i checked myself.
My mech checked the gear oil from filler nut & told its pouring out, so its ok. But i will check it up myself today.

If its leaking from the gear side then is it a lengthy process? the mech told me that after taking out the transmission, he has to dismantle the transmission gears completely, then change the seal.
If this is so then i m worried abt mechs abilities to put it back as oem. which may lead to other problems later.
Am i worried correctly or not?

Yes the transmission drive seal is inside the transaxle and in order to replace it you need to get it opened and remove the while gears assembly to reach it.

He will not be dismantling gear assembly so dont worry about not getting it back as original.
But and it is a big BUT dont forget to use proper sealant for joining the two halves of the transmission. Xulfiqar has mentioned this fact quite a few time as the Rs 50 RTV silicone will not hold. he suggested 3bond (not sure exactly) sealant which costs around 2K/tube. You should ask him to be sure what you should use or buy.

[irfan44]

Yes the transmission drive seal is inside the transaxle and in order to replace it you need to get it opened and remove the while gears assembly to reach it.

He will not be dismantling gear assembly so dont worry about not getting it back as original.
But and it is a big BUT dont forget to use proper sealant for joining the two halves of the transmission. Xulfiqar has mentioned this fact quite a few time as the Rs 50 RTV silicone will not hold. he suggested 3bond (not sure exactly) sealant which costs around 2K/tube. You should ask him to be sure what you should use or buy.

Thanx for the suggestion.
Calling XULFIQAR bhai for input now

[smijaz]

Yes the transmission drive seal is inside the transaxle and in order to replace it you need to get it opened and remove the while gears assembly to reach it.

He will not be dismantling gear assembly so dont worry about not getting it back as original.
But and it is a big BUT dont forget to use proper sealant for joining the two halves of the transmission. Xulfiqar has mentioned this fact quite a few time as the Rs 50 RTV silicone will not hold. he suggested 3bond (not sure exactly) sealant which costs around 2K/tube. You should ask him to be sure what you should use or buy.

I think you need 1215 / 1216E as shown in the link below

Silicone Liquid Gaskets & Potting Agents

[Xulfiqar]

I think you need 1215 / 1216E as shown in the link below

Silicone Liquid Gaskets & Potting Agents

yep threebond 1215, expensive stuff but worth it, the Rs 50/- abro branded red cheap RTV wont hold against gear oil. before applying the 3bond sealant, clean the case halves with acetone (ask printing press people where to buy it) and dry it

It is vital to use the correct product and tightening the bolts correctly, the threads of the bolts should be buffed or chased clean with a die or you will always have a stinking losing battle against the leak. And furthermore the RTV also can disturb the end float of the input shaft.

[irfan44]

thanx a lot. Now i'll search for threebond. will b hard to get at my place though

[irfan44]

yep threebond 1215, expensive stuff but worth it, the Rs 50/- abro branded red cheap RTV wont hold against gear oil. before applying the 3bond sealant, clean the case halves with acetone (ask printing press people where to buy it) and dry it

It is vital to use the correct product and tightening the bolts correctly, the threads of the bolts should be buffed or chased clean with a die or you will always have a stinking losing battle against the leak. And furthermore the RTV also can disturb the end float of the input shaft.

I've seen the referred website.
1215 - says it corrodes copper based material.(should i use it or not)
1216 - says nothing about copper. its for sealing oil pans & transmission cases etc

which to use & is it available in Pakistan? or suggest substitute locally available

[smijaz]

yep threebond 1215, expensive stuff but worth it, the Rs 50/- abro branded red cheap RTV wont hold against gear oil. before applying the 3bond sealant, clean the case halves with acetone (ask printing press people where to buy it) and dry it

It is vital to use the correct product and tightening the bolts correctly, the threads of the bolts should be buffed or chased clean with a die or you will always have a stinking losing battle against the leak. And furthermore the RTV also can disturb the end float of the input shaft.

?? (A)

[irfan44]

i just changed axle boots & gear oil today. when axles were pulled out, no gear oil dripped from there. is it ok. 2 boots were torn but i changed all. there was something i need to ask.
three boots had black less viscous (almost liquid) grease in them. but 1 was having a little hard grease of light brown color. why is that so.

[Xulfiqar]

?? (A)

RTV does not compress, and if it will not compress the halves will stay separated which also means that it will increase clearance.

[Xulfiqar]

I've seen the referred website.
1215 - says it corrodes copper based material.(should i use it or not)
1216 - says nothing about copper. its for sealing oil pans & transmission cases etc

which to use & is it available in Pakistan? or suggest substitute locally available

You have aluminium casings not copper, These are available in Pakistan on Marriot Road market in Jodia Bazar. Not cheap though - but surely available.

I used to buy such sealants before even I had my shop - and it surely paid off to have good sealants at hand when working on something.

[waqar19]

if everything checked then check the speedometer cable too...sometime happens;)

[irfan44]

if everything checked then check the speedometer cable too...sometime happens;)

???:S???

[waqar19]

bro u said 2 or 3 drops of oil...so check the speedometer cable too.
the end which connects to tranny may become loose and it seems like transmission is leaking.

[MoizIrfan]

If u get Threebond sealant do let me know the price and shop.