Oil Leak from Bell Housing

Maintenance advice to keep your Spider in shape.
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ch33kster

Oil Leak from Bell Housing

Post by ch33kster »

Hi,

I have a leak coming from the bottom of the bell housing but I'm unsure on where its coming from.
The oil seems clean/greenish leading me to believe its coming from the transmission and only drops when on a slight slope.

If it is from the transmission, could it be the oil seal that I would need to replace? What is the name of this oil seal :oops: ?

Cheers, Charles
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azruss
Posts: 3659
Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 12:24 pm
Your car is a: 80 Fiat 2000 FI

Re: Oil Leak from Bell Housing

Post by azruss »

there are 2 sources of oil into the bell housing. the rear crank seal and the input shaft seal in the tranny. figure out which oil it matches and you have your answer.
ch33kster

Re: Oil Leak from Bell Housing

Post by ch33kster »

Thanks Azruss for the quick response.
baltobernie
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Patron 2020
Posts: 3466
Joined: Sun Nov 25, 2007 6:00 pm
Your car is a: 1973 Spider [sold]
Location: Baltimore, MD

Re: Oil Leak from Bell Housing

Post by baltobernie »

ch33kster wrote: ... and only drips when on a slight slope.
Park on a slope in the opposite direction! :D
Seriously, fixing either leak involves dropping the tranny. Not a trivial job, and a precursor to "project creep" if there ever was one. "Might as well replace the clutch while I'm here ..." So if that's the only problem, a fresh piece of cardboard every once in a while is the best cure.

Also be advised that many instances of rear main seal leaks cannot be fixed without major engine rebuilding, to include a new crankshaft. What happens is that POs ignore early drips, and the metal spring on the seal eventually wears thru the rubber, scoring the rearmost crankshaft journal. A new seal won't help, as there's a groove worn into the crank providing an exit for the oil. Some popular American V8 engines have aftermarket sleeves available which can be shrunk over a (re-machined) crankshaft, but alas, we have no such cure for our beloved TC's. A Top Tip for those of you thinking about a bottom-end rebuild now that Winter's here; check that journal before spending $$$$'s on machine shop services. You may end up, like me, with a great new (but leaking) motor.
So Cal Mark

Re: Oil Leak from Bell Housing

Post by So Cal Mark »

if it's clear/greenish, are you sure it's not coolant?
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Razooli
Posts: 176
Joined: Fri May 29, 2009 5:57 am
Your car is a: 1982 Fiat Spider 2000
Location: Newport Beach, CA

Re: Oil Leak from Bell Housing

Post by Razooli »

Before you do anything drastic, check the oil pressure sending unit. Mine was leaking and dripping off the bell housing.
Lynn Shuler
1982 Spider 2000
Remember, this hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need therapy.
mgbgtn

Re: Oil Leak from Bell Housing

Post by mgbgtn »

I agree with Mark on the coolant leak. It is easier to check this first than pull the tranny.
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