Strange Front End OIl Leak

[rustymark]

Hi all,

After reading about the horrors of other Freelander owners I (stupidly?) bought a TD4 model with 58k on the clock - full service history etc etc.

All has been well and quite impressed but then.....

Noticed a few drips on the garage floor on the drivers side . On investigation it is not engine oil as too clean.

Had the thing over a pit, bottom cover off and the engine, gearbox and IRD are all free from any oil.

The oil seems to be appearing below the steering rack on the o/s and dropping onto the roll bar below from where it kindly waterproofs my garage floor.

Any ideas as to location where it is coming from?? Is there a breather on the IRD that could be blocked?

[jules]

Is it

Oil engine or gear

ATF (Red or pink)

Brake/clutch fluid (Clear)

The recks leak red when there warn

[rustymark]

Thanks for quick reply.

Tis def NOT engine oil - too clean.

Possibly gear oil but seems of very light grade if it is.

No colour to the liquid and its not stripped any paint from roll bar as i would have thought it would with brake fluid.

There just seems to be no obvious place it is coming from - for a reference its hitting the roll bar directly(ish) under the small in line turbo vent filter.

Also what is the cylinder full of brake fluid(?) situated centre of bulkhead? Its very, very full and is not mentioned in the owners handbook.....but then what is!

[MJIbex]

previous spill when filling engine?

[rustymark]

I thought this too as did the mechanic at work when i pulled it over the pit and changed the oil. The front pads were changed before i bought it so the thoughts were brake fluid overflow from pushing pistons back in as it figures below the master cylinder.

Took full advantage and steam cleaned the whole b*oody lot to see what was what!

Its a mystery.

Cat litter tray is going under the front end - stuff it let it drip. Cheaper than a trip to the Main Stealers.

[rustymark]

OK here we go

Decided this b**dy oil is coming from somewhere. It had to be coming from the engine/gearbox/ird and only explanation for it hitting roll bar is wind under the car when driving.

Borrowed HUGE pair of drive up ramps. Removed bottom cover thing. Degreased everything. Steam cleaned. Covered everything underneath with talc - ok it might not be heard of but now my freelander smells nice and fresh - took it for a drive (err thrash).

Leak has now been identified. It is coming from between the gearbox and ird. I guess there is a seal there somewhere???

[jules]

Clutch reservoir