Identifying oil leak

ozrover · 1st June 2017, 14:10

It is a weird one, I only noticed it because I was refitting the undertray with new screws. Changed the oil, filter and sump plug 40miles ago, there wasn't a drop of oil/sludge. This seems to be coming from higher up in the engine bay and seems to spraying around the place (large circumference).

Its more of a sludge consistency than regular oil. It did not move around the undertray but sit in the one location as a lump of sludge.

Vehicle has done 31,000miles. Below photo, this is the driver's side, rear of the engine.

Any ideas what it could be?

trikey · 1st June 2017, 14:39

Looks like grease from the cv joint on the driveshaft to me.

chris75 · 1st June 2017, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by trikey

Looks like grease from the cv joint on the driveshaft to me.

Agreed

And has that CV boot actually got a clip on it , or is it missing ? Looks like bare rubber where a clip ought to be

Stickman · 1st June 2017, 17:22

I totally agree too
Deffo looks like grease from the cv joint/boot
Regards
Chris

anddyy · 1st June 2017, 17:40

Looks like the clips are missing from both ends of the cv boot, defo grease as said above.

T-Cut · 1st June 2017, 17:56

It's also the wrong type of grease. CVJs use a molybdenum disulphide (black) type.

TC

neilbaker86 · 1st June 2017, 23:29

It probably is the correct grease, CV joint grease (molybdenum disulphide) is incorrect for the inner joints. The inner joint grease is a pale amber colour, and much thinner than CV grease. It is designed for the fine needle roller bearings found in the tripod joints. Not the large bearings found in the outer joints which experience a far higher load as they have a far greater range of movement.

Many people use CV grease when replacing inner joints and seem to get away with it, but it's not what was used originally, if you buy an official CV gaiter kit from X-Part, it will come with satchets of the correct grease.

Edit: This is probably the correct stuff for inner joints.

ozrover · 2nd June 2017, 00:03

Cheers guys, you nailed it. Upon further inspection, the clip seems to be missing and it has caused the grease to spurt all over the place.

I'll buy the kit through X-Part and have it replaced.

1st June 2017, 14:10	#1
ozrover Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Sydney Posts: 78 Thanks: 34 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Identifying oil leak It is a weird one, I only noticed it because I was refitting the undertray with new screws. Changed the oil, filter and sump plug 40miles ago, there wasn't a drop of oil/sludge. This seems to be coming from higher up in the engine bay and seems to spraying around the place (large circumference). Its more of a sludge consistency than regular oil. It did not move around the undertray but sit in the one location as a lump of sludge. Vehicle has done 31,000miles. Below photo, this is the driver's side, rear of the engine. Any ideas what it could be?

1st June 2017, 14:39	#2
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,774 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	Looks like grease from the cv joint on the driveshaft to me. __________________ Lest we forget..

1st June 2017, 17:22	#4
Stickman Posted a thing or two Rover 75 saloon Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Bordon Posts: 1,856 Thanks: 250 Thanked 403 Times in 352 Posts	I totally agree too Deffo looks like grease from the cv joint/boot Regards Chris

1st June 2017, 17:40	#5
anddyy Avid contributor mg zt 180+ Join Date: May 2015 Location: blackpool Posts: 182 Thanks: 15 Thanked 38 Times in 34 Posts	Looks like the clips are missing from both ends of the cv boot, defo grease as said above.

1st June 2017, 17:56	#6
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,753 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	It's also the wrong type of grease. CVJs use a molybdenum disulphide (black) type. TC

1st June 2017, 23:29	#7
neilbaker86 Gets stuck in MG ZT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Oxford Posts: 847 Thanks: 124 Thanked 312 Times in 147 Posts	It probably is the correct grease, CV joint grease (molybdenum disulphide) is incorrect for the inner joints. The inner joint grease is a pale amber colour, and much thinner than CV grease. It is designed for the fine needle roller bearings found in the tripod joints. Not the large bearings found in the outer joints which experience a far higher load as they have a far greater range of movement. Many people use CV grease when replacing inner joints and seem to get away with it, but it's not what was used originally, if you buy an official CV gaiter kit from X-Part, it will come with satchets of the correct grease. Edit: This is probably the correct stuff for inner joints.

2nd June 2017, 00:03	#8
ozrover Regular poster Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Sydney Posts: 78 Thanks: 34 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Cheers guys, you nailed it. Upon further inspection, the clip seems to be missing and it has caused the grease to spurt all over the place. I'll buy the kit through X-Part and have it replaced.