Bellhousing Oil Leaks

[Citroënbender]

Aside from the usual input shaft oil seal/breather blockage type scenarios, I've twice seen boxes with the three small bore plugs below the input shaft, slathered up with sealant in what looks far too unprofessional to be "how the factory did it". 

Are these a problem due to some wear inside the box dislocating the plugs, or is it poor assembly from factory (lack of a permanently flexible oil resistant sealer) that is the cause? Is it too presumptive to think that a non-thrashed box with less than 250K on it, should be capable of complete sealing with informed attention?

[bonno]

CB
Not sure from your description, but it sounds that the gearbox has been worked on at some stage and is a direct result of some inappropriate repair practice. I would suggest that if it was a common problem resulting from poor design or unsatisfactory factory assembly, then a worldwide recall would have been implemented.

[Citroënbender]

They're almost visible here. Car in question had a lengthy history of dealer service - Foleys and the (defunct, now Mini) place in Rushcutter's Bay - but I've seen similar splodges on a car that spent time with ASV.

[Citroënbender]

Trawled through e-learn and ePer, no mention of the plugs (all work on the shift rails is done from inside the box) nor are they listed as a service part. So it may just be slight oil wicking as sealant ages.

Bazz, if you're reading, what gearbox seals would one replace as "an ounce of prevention" with a Sele box out?

[bazzbazz]

Input shaft bearing as already mentioned and endplate seal. That's about it really.

With Selespeed gearboxes, when removing them, before you drain it, always open the filler plug and make sure fluid does not come pouring out. If it is over filled the likely source is the Selespeed actuator is leaking Selespeed fluid via the back plate internal O-Rings & into the gearbox through the selector shaft.

[Citroënbender]

Thanks Bazz

By endplate, do you mean the cast housing that covers fifth gear?

I know the internal o-ring pair you refer to, have never replaced any but seen them for sale.

[bazzbazz]

By endplate, do you mean the cast housing that covers fifth gear?

Yes, just check it for leaks, if sound leave it alone.

[Citroënbender]

Thanks. I'm sure Murphy will grace me with a need to do the o-rings. 😱