Oil leak on speedo drive S1V6

[rolandmgb]

Hi

I'm a bit concerned about the oil dripping onto the exhaust from the gearbox. On closer inspection its coming from the speedo drive. Does anyone know what can cause this and can it be fixed without removing the gearbox, not somthing I really fancy doing at the moment. Hopefully it will just be an 'o' ring or somthing.

Thanks

[tozerman]

IIRC there is a tiny oil seal in there which is a straight forward job to replace if you can get access, not sure how much room you will have though, could turn out to be a right PITA.

Cheers.....Tony..

[mikel003003]

Bit confused because s1 is a machanical speedo drive, ( basically a cable straight into the gearbox) mine has come out ages ago ans does not leak oil, however I too have a minor leak on to the exhaust it is probably just a weeping gasket I would top the oil up and not really worry too much untill you need major gear box work.

[rolandmgb]

I'm sure the leak is from the speedo drive and yes you are correct it is a mechanical cable driven drive. It looks like there will be plenty of space but only if the exhaust is first removed. I'll be able to replace the connections to the reversing light switch at the same time. Oil leaks are starting to attract advisories on the MOT now.

[phillpot]

rolandmgb said:

Hopefully it will just be an 'o' ring or somthing.

This is obviously a later electronic drive but I'd be surprised if the way it is sealed is any different. It is indeed an O ring, approx 29mm id ans 2.7mm section dia.

[mikel003003]

Am open to correction on this one ( I could be getting the wrong end of the stick ) my speedo cable has come out and I have spent hours trying to get it to stay in but the hole doesn't leak any oil because the mechanism is all internal, your best bet is to get it on a ramp and take the exhaust off for a better look.

[mikel003003]

It's just held in with a circlip .

[phillpot]

mikel003003 said:

It's just held in with a circlip .

Yes, but the cable goes into a square hole in a shaft attached to a gear held into the gearbox tailhousing by something that is probably sealed by an O ring ?

[greymrj]

Cant be absolutely certain but I seem to remember replacing an O ring on my speedo drive when I had the car stripped. Seem to remember I had to make something up to get a good connection to the gearbox reverse switch, the original connector was rubbish. If you have a problem with either please get back to me and I will check.

[mikel003003]

Sorry to go off subject a bit but if anyone has a photo of a disconnected s1 cable would they mind posting it please ? I think mine must of snapped off inside now.

[tozerman]

If you have a speedo cable then there is a small oil seal, if you have a speedo sensor then you have an O ring.

Cheers.....Tony..

[phillpot]

tozerman said:

If you have a speedo cable then there is a small oil seal

Could this be the little chappie ?

[rolandmgb]

Thanks for all the help, all done now. Once the exhaust was removed the job was not too bad. First remove the cir clip and pull off the speedo cable, Remove the metal bung at the rear of the drive.(bit like a core plug)The drive spindle could then be removed and the small oil seal prised out.
Refitment the reverse of the process.
Once the exahust removed it only took about 20 minuits and I can now make a good job of the reverse light sensor connections before refitting the exhaust.

[glenrobbo]

rolandmgb said:

Thanks for all the help, all done now. Once the exhaust was removed the job was not too bad. First remove the cir clip and pull off the speedo cable, Remove the metal bung at the rear of the drive.(bit like a core plug)The drive spindle could then be removed and the small oil seal prised out.
Refitment the reverse of the process.
Once the exahust removed it only took about 20 minuits and I can now make a good job of the reverse light sensor connections before refitting the exhaust.

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