Any ideas? >> [Driveshaft? 'Box?]

[.Ben.]

I've stumbled across a leak.

About 1.5-2 weeks ago, I had the window down and noticed a burning oil smell whilst sat in traffic. I instantly assumed it was another car because a few days previous I had removed my undertray to just randomly check everything was ok (obsessive compulsive, you see?), and everything was as Renault intended, functioning sweetly and as dry as a bone.

Well, last week I removed all of my wheels so that they were ready for collection by the refurbishers, and I noticed the the driver's side driveshaft was wet with oil. I instantly assumed that it was a significant leak that had dripped down from the upper engine and been flung about by the spinning drive-shaft...

...Further investigation today revealed that it doesn't appear to be engine oil (the oil smells different) and the underside of the starter motor is wet with gold-coloured oil. Inspecting the o/s driveshaft and the point at which the driveshaft enters the gearbox is dry. It only shows signs of weeping at the inner (large) end of the inner CV boot, yet the boot doesn't appear to have been damaged in any way!?!? I also thought that the boot held in grease, not oil?

Everything on the n/s is totally dry. So is the gear selector (a common point for leaks).

Now, my engine and gearbox oil levels are still very healthy and whilst I was driving it, nothing abnormal seemed to rear it's head, but I'm desperate to diagnose the problem and either sort it or get it remedied asap.

Also, I'm probably being paranoid, but I don't want to drive the car like this, just in case oil contaminates my brakes or I exascerbate the problem.

Can anyone help me to identify the most probable cause - and approximate costs to fix this problem?

Cheers,

Ben

 

[Tom@JMS]

I received your email Ben, going to fire you over a reply later;

Couple of things;

Have you had the engine cover off and had a good look around the back of the rocker cover?

Does the oil smell of cat p!ss?

 

[.Ben.]

I received your email Ben, going to fire you over a reply later;

Couple of things;

Have you had the engine cover off and had a good look around the back of the rocker cover?

Does the oil smell of cat p!ss?

Cheers Tom!

I emailed you when I thought it was engine oil though. The above description is my current assessment.

The back of the rocker cover has a *very* minor weep, nothing that would reach the driveshaft though.

Re: the smell - All I can say is it's pretty rank smelling (I'm not familiar with cat p!ss ) and doesn't have the usual smell of engine oil - as far as I can tell...

 

[Tom@JMS]

Sounds like box oil, very pungent smell - if you were an expert on cat p1ss like myself you would know

Bring it over tmrw evening if you want, we can stick it on the ramp and have a proper look

 

[Mike_182]

I'm concerned that you know what cat piss smells like, Tom. Next you know it'll be 'does it taste like squirrel faeces?'

 

[.Ben.]

Great! Thanks for being so accomodating Tom!

What time are you thinking? Need to work out how early to *try* and leave work...

 

[Tom@JMS]

6-7-8 - up to you.

I'll PM you my number.

 

[.Ben.]

Cheers for your views last night Tom!

Looking forward to getting it sorted on Thursday!!

 

[GodSpeed]

What did It turn out to be?

 

[.Ben.]

I think Tom said it was a compromised cam-cover gasket that was leaking badly down the back of the engine and onto the drive shaft and exhaust manifold.

Getting it all rectified on the 5th Jan at JMS and having new belts and matched inlets fitted at the same time!

Just glad I didn't fit my new brakes or they may have got contaminated!!