Technical sump plug hell

[sherbsville]

Thankyou all soooo much, lets not jinx it yet until ive checked the oil tomorrow, and the cardboard for leaks.

You are all so amazing, thankyou all so so much.

I'm gonna have a bath as shivering like a spooky scary skeleton.

 

[steveras57]

As You aint gonna use the filter again id advocate the hammer a screwdriver through it!, though messy once its moved a fraction then it will just spin off easy!- saves p**sing about in the cold , use latex gloves (oh- err matron!) and have some extra rag handy for mopping up and jobs a good un!

 

[A3jeroen]

Well done!

gr J

 

[John202020]

Thankyou, saw this too late but did put oil on the filter. I have cardboard under to check for leaks. Just worried theres too much oil in there now.

My post 71, 3.1L of oil to fill including filter

 

[sherbsville]

My post 71, 3.1L of oil to fill including filter

thankyou! i read 2.8, but it makes sense that didnt include the filter, which would bring it up to 3.1

 

[sherbsville]

Sooooooo, hopefully tomorrow I will be reporting back that everythings great with the oil!

I saw some kind of fluid on the right,underneath. Hoping it was condensation or somat. I checked the clutch fluid as it was around where I changed the slave, but it was full. I tried to see the coolant, but couldn't so will check tomorrow. Idk how I'm meant to see thru that thick plastic, torch didn't work, so I was thinking I'd diy a dip stick. There's cardboard all the way under, and I will keep it under for a while. So hopefully that stays dry, and nothing else exciting is going on.

Eres pics of the sump plug. Idk what the black stuff is tbh.

 

[AnthonyH]

Eres pics of the sump plug. Idk what the black stuff is tbh.

Maybe some thread locker.

 

[sherbsville]

Maybe some thread locker.

I left it alone, as I thought if i fiddled with it, it'd be more likely to leak. Hopefully it'll be ok.

 

[There all puntos]

On my Unos the drain plug was the same size as the level plug. So after removal of both. I used a shortened scaffold rail.

And as said here earlier, easier when warm. Or attack both with a blowtorch, or a 120v or 220v wand bolt heater.

Hope this helps. I know the best time is late spring to early autumn to maintain anything. But winter or very cold weather, without heat or cover, is a soul destroying leveller.

 

[sherbsville]

Ok, so looookin goooood! Went to a few places today, and doesn't look like theres any oil leaks, so omg, I DID IT!!! I still dont wanna jinx it, buuuuuut!

Bit random, but is it normal to get a bit of water under the car when you start her up? I mean it looked, smelt, and felt like water. All my levels are ok, but I do need to top up coolant, but thats red anyway. Kinda in the middle under the bonnet. Not loads, but lasted maybe 5 mins? I put cardboard under when I got to aldi and tesco, and it was dry, so seems to be when starting from cold.

Thankyou all, I couldn't have done it without you!

 

[steveras57]

Water could either be draining from the scuttle area under the windscreen via the "duckbills" or potentially just overspill from the air conditioning system if you have that?.

 

[John202020]

If it's first thing in the morning it could be just condensation or dew? Note coolant tends not to dry quickly like plain water does on the ground, check the oil level in say a week?

Different question when you did the slave what did the earth strap look like that goes to the gearbox under the slave? Generally it needs replacing at 8 years old

 

[steveras57]

If it's first thing in the morning it could be just condensation or dew? Note coolant tends not to dry quickly like plain water does on the ground, check the oil level in say a week?

Different question when you did the slave what did the earth strap look like that goes to the gearbox under the slave? Generally it needs replacing at 8 years old

All true John ( mind you the earth strap that probably lasts 8 years in sunny Italy has more like an 8 week lifespan here in the good ol UK ) and 80years for the Aussie faction!. feel so sorry for em having to suffer the spiders, dust, sun bleaching and long wait for parts(Bella!)

 

[koalar]

Nothing wrong with the sump plug

All looks good

Tightening torque is 20Nm dry, which is nothing

But It's never dry around 10-15Nm oiled is little more than just gently nipped up

 

[rmjbn1]

is it normal to get a bit of water under the car when you start her up?

Not really normal, no, but if fluid levels are OK then probably nothing to worry about.

Are you sure it's happening just after you start the car from cold?

Might need to have a look under after starting and watch for any drips.

As John & Steve say, could be condensation or duck bills shaking off excess moisture with the vibration of the engine.

There are a couple of places coolant is known to leak, but this would typically be worse when the engine is hot.

I would clean out the duck bill scuttle drains (two plastic drains hanging down below the wipers in the engine bay) and check fluid levels very carefully for the next couple of weeks.

 

[koalar]

Depends on the weather

Depends where it's pooling

At this time of year, when you lift the car water, condensation drains out of the chassis rails, and so on,

The same can happen as you drop it back down

If you put your finger in it and it's not greasy it probably nothing to worry about,


It always worth checking under the windscreen for pools of water, if left it will eventually cause other issues


If the car not been started for awhile condensation will squirt out of the back exhaust box drain hole

 

[sherbsville]

If it's first thing in the morning it could be just condensation or dew? Note coolant tends not to dry quickly like plain water does on the ground, check the oil level in say a week?

Different question when you did the slave what did the earth strap look like that goes to the gearbox under the slave? Generally it needs replacing at 8 years old

Thankyou all. I'm thinking it's just condensation, and I've just never noticed before. I don't use the ac, as then I'd just have to regas it. I thought I'd mention it while I'm here. I looked sane sniffing it as a dog walker went past. I resisted the urge to taste it.
Nurses used to have to taste patients wee you know. I thought everyone would enjoy that pleasant mental image. Anyway.

I will be obsessively checking fluid levels for a while now.

I will defo clean those drains out asap, as I randomnly had a vid come up on youtube about top ten faults, and it was on there. Rather terrifyingly water can get into the airbag ecu if drains are blocked, which is nice.

Erm, I dont know tbh. @John202020 Is it the one that attaches to the body work on the right? I think that's the one you mean? I do remember looking at it, but honestly, idk. I will add it to the list to check. I'm gonna do the rust on the back first, now I have oil.

 

[steveras57]

As far as the A/C s concerned the trouble is if you DONT USE IT then the system deteriorates internally .
Its not just the gas in afraid, the system contains both seals and a lubricant to keep them supple and prevent leaks! if left to long they dry out and if the system is turned on they rip and tear and its no longer gas tight and wont work!- which requires a big expense as both the pump and receiver/drier would need replacing!.

If you are NEVER going to sell the car then Thats fine! but if you might move it on in the future the new owner would expect it to work!- you could be honest and tell them about it and ask a lower price as a consequence!)300/500 quid as parts are expensive but many owners have probably made a similar miss-judgement and then passed it on to someone else!.

If the systems not been left to long IE- LESS THAN Eighteen months then it will likely be ok if re-gassed about £75 id guess maybe a cost you dont want to pay? up to you depending on your plans for the car moving forwards.

 

[The Panda Nut]

PM me on here. If you still want that proxi we can have alook at that and your sump plug on my inspection pit.

 

[John202020]

I don't use the ac,
Is it the one that attaches to the body work on the right? I think that's the one you mean?

Earth strap always worth replacing if unsure it's only £5?
AC once working you only have to recharge every 4 years or so going to every 2 1/2 years or so when older, note if your car has ac and you've not replaced the cabin filter it will need it even if you don't use the ac?
But seriously have the system recharged and if all OK never turn it off, especially in winter!
I've driven a car with ac since the early 80's it's worth the trade off in economy all day long