Shad Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 When I got the car out of the garage earlier I noticed a small patch of oil underneath where the gearbox would have been. Nothing too serious, just a few drips worth. Any suggestions on how to proceed? What to check, what to look for, best way to get at it?? It's a 6 speed box with 23k miles. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frying Pan Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 Probably the speedo drive oil seal is shot - they don't lose much oil, and seem to fail repeatedly... -----See some pictures of the build here. 13000 miles completed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Durrant Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 I would check to see if it is leaking from the speedo drive if so it is a case of TADTS. For piece of mind I would check the oil level and leave it at that. IIRC the oil seal cannot be replaced without removing the gearbox and even then there is no guarantee it will not leak again. Mark D Comp Sec Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeW Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 You can change the seal in situ but its a fiddly job MikeW Mega Grad Race No 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonbell Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 Yep, replaced mine from underneath with the car on a ramp.......stopeed the leak for a bit but now its back. Simon Bell - Caterham 7 Duratec R I`ve seen the future.....and it`s powered by duratec Check out the website here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheds Moderator Posted December 3, 2007 Share Posted December 3, 2007 Put a sheet of newspaper under it. Keep an eye on the level every 3 months or so, if and when the leak gets enough that the paper isn't enough, fix it. My money is on the box doing another 20k minimum before this happens. You'll prob have it out for a refresh before then, or sell the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shad Posted December 4, 2007 Author Share Posted December 4, 2007 Thanks for the advice chaps, can confirm it is the speedo drive leaking. If it needs topping up, do I have to use Caterham gearbox oil or is there a suitable equivalent that would be locally available? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Durrant Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Road & Race who refresh/rebuild the six speed box recommend the Catereham gearbox oil which is made by Comma Mark D Comp Sec Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Day Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 Mine used to leak & I must have replaced 3 or 4 seals over the years. Pesky little bu$$ers to get back in. I got so fed up with it I removed the speedo mechanism & blanked it off with a kit one can get from Ford ( or from R & R). Costs about a fiver & yes it can be done in situ but one has to drill a suitable hole in the tunnel for access. Replaced the speedo with an electrical one from VDO driven off the front wheel. This of course matches the other VDO instruments if one has the old style instruments. Merlin Motorsport here are very helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shad Posted December 5, 2007 Author Share Posted December 5, 2007 I actually ordered some MTL from Opie Oils today, based on the posts of some other 6-speed users I read through. Will see how I get on. I'll keep an eye on the speedo leak but wont loose sleep over it. I had a look tonight at the access to the fill plug... which clown designed that then 😔 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Day Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 I had a look tonight at the access to the fill plug... which clown designed that then The same clown that advised you to use a cut-down 10mm Allen key to access & remove the plug. I put a piece of copper tube over the end to undo it. Don't do it up too tight. Tip : Get a long piece of transparant tube & fill via a funnel from the engine compartment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK FLASH Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 I' ve got an old 4-speed box but from time to time I also see a small oil leak somwehere under the gearbox. The engine and gearbox were out about a year ago and we replaced all possible seals. Could the speedo seal or another one be leaking again in such a short time ? BTW, I noticed some time ago a hole in the left side of the tunnel. Perhaps the former owner made this hole to replace the seal on a regular basis ? Jack Flash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shad Posted December 11, 2007 Author Share Posted December 11, 2007 Mine has the hole too, probably for access for replacing the speedo drive at a guess? I replaced the oil over the weekend for some MTL. Very impressed with the result, much slicker gear changes and much less notchy when cold. Ended up buying a set of allen keys and using the grinder to cut a piece the right length. Surprisingly straight forward after that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK FLASH Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 Shad and Mick , What is the best way to loosen the plug, an adapted allen key or a piece of copper tube on the plug ? Jack Flash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Day Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 Use an adapted allen key & put a bit of copper pipe over the end of the key to give more leverage. Don't do it up too tight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shad Posted December 13, 2007 Author Share Posted December 13, 2007 I cut a 20mm length of allen key and then used a long 10mm spanner on that, which worked quite nicely :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casbar Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 Or just take the top of the box off, its held on by 6 cap heads, then fill to your hearts content. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 I would prefer this route - but how to get the tunnel top off - brute force, or are there hidden fasteners involved ? 7 related photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Pearce Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 You can try brute force for getting the tunnel top off, but I would recommend the following. Normally held by a self tapper either side at the back (into the rear bulkhead) You will need to either fully slacken off or disconnect the handbrake. The lever needs to come vertical. Unscrew the gear lever knob. Lift the back (you might need to remove seats to do this) and slide it back and up to remove. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casbar Posted December 13, 2007 Share Posted December 13, 2007 Is it a K series If so, you can remove the top of the 6 speed box from the engine bay. Once its off, just make sure if there is a seal, that it is properly fitted when you put the lid back on. If no seal, re-seal the lid with Wurf RTF or similiar, or do as I did, and bin the rubber seal and use the Wurf anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted December 14, 2007 Share Posted December 14, 2007 Thanks Ray. Casbar - K-series 5-speed 7 related photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now