Murphy strikes again!

[Stuart]

Just changed the engine oil so thought while I'm at it I'd top up the gearbox.
Seemed to need a lot of oil....small wonder because as fast as it went in it was leaking out from the gearbox side driveshaft gaitor!

Probably needs a new seal & gaitor. Thing is my garage can't do it till after Easter.
There is some oil left in the gearbox. Is it still OK to drive it or am I likely to suffer more damage by doing so?

Anyone know the likely cost of new driveshaft seal & gaitor (it's the passenger side one) and how long a garage should take to fix it?
I don't want to get ripped off, so any help much appreciated!

Car is Brava 1.6SX 1996P.

 

[RR]

Would you drive your car with low oil in the sump?

No - so dont drive it with insufficient gearbox oil either.

Unlucky, Matey.

 

[Stuart]

RR, take your point, but its probably been like this for a while. It was only when filling the gearbox to the max that oil started to leak out of the seal. By the look of it the box must be half full.
But I'll only use it when absolutely unavoidable.
It's being repaired after Easter.
Anyone got an idea of what it'll cost?

 

[Tom]

A new seal is only a few quid but its driveshaft off job to replace it.

My sisters uno did this, I think it was without oil for about 200 miles. Flushed a fair bit of metal out of the gearbox and fitted new boots. Its been going for about 3 years but the gearbox is really noisy

 

[Stuart]

Thanks Tom, hopefully it won't cost too much, now I know it needs doing I can't ignore it, much as I'd like to.
I'm certain the gearbox is still OK (so far), it isn't difficult to engage gears nor is it noisy.
Anyway, got to get it fixed for the Brooklands trip!

 

[Ash]

your very lucky its the passenger side one that has split because to do the drivers side one you have to take the exhaust and the rear engine mount off to get to it!!! luckily on the passenger side its not to difficult to get at as long as you have skinny wrists!!

i would say it should cost no more than 2 hours labour plus parts so its not the end of the world

ps dont drive it!!! new or referb gearboxes are expensive and time consuming to fit on the 1.6!!! trust me i have had mine off to do the clutch and its a pig of a job. (it was less trouble to take the engine out with the gearbox attached!!)

Anything With Tits or Wheels Will Cost You MONEY!!

 

[Stuart]

Ash, I don't feel very lucky as it appears I'll be without wheels this Bank Holiday, which will be a drag.
But at least the problem was identified before doing real damage. The height of the knackered seal means the gearbox still has nearly half of its oil, not ideal, but better than being completely empty!
Good job it was discovered before doing the 300-odd miles to Brooklands and back. I reckon that really would have buggered the 'box!

Just off to get a quote for repairs.