944 - Gearbox Oil Leak

[Parmley]

After me and a local mechanical have looked at my car to check for leaks around the rear we noticed fuel and what looks to be a gearbox oil leak. Its booked in for thursday to get it on the ramp and have a proper look but I was wonder what would be a common place for the gearbox to leak?

I assume there are 3 points? Engine in and two outs to the wheels?

Is it a gearbox out job? Worth doing? Easy to top up?

I'd like to get the car in good working order this spring. Starting with leak and engine problems etc.

Also while I'm here theres some of the dread cream (water) in the oil. Ahhhhh. Ive been told it may just be con sedation build from it on going on very short journeys. Or the dreaded head gasket.

Any advice much appreciated.

Cheers

Jonathan

 

[chrisg]

Jonathan

I'm no expert on these things, but IMHO the oil leaks from 944 boxes tend to be from the gaskets holding the different sections of the box together ,including the steel end cap. The inlet and outlet for the Oil cooler on the Turbo LSD boxes is a classic leakage point as well - no an issue with the standard 944.

It could well be that the output seals (around the drive flanges) are leaking, these can be changed in situ I believe. The input seal will need to be changed with the box out of the car.

Yours

Chris

 

[robdimond]

Output seals cheap and easy(ish) to change in situ. Does require draining the gearbox oil and disconnecting the driveshafts. Input seal, as we all know is a half an hour job [] (sorry that is joke for the regulars... actually input seal requires dropping the gearbox).

 

[marojojoem]

I seem to remember a few years ago I cured an oil emulsion problem on my 85 Lux by having the seals replaced in the oil / water heat exchanger. Much cheaper than a head gasket replacement etc etc so worth investigating.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Where's the gunge in the oil showing up? If it's just the filler neck then that's normal, particularly in colder weather and with lack of use.

Bad news is that head gaskets are deteriorating, so changing it as a preventative measure isn't a bad idea. Another one of the 944 jobs that are a once in 20-odd years expense, but we all understand that most people tend to leave it until it fails.