Leaking clutch/gearbox

[Big and Daft]

I've just found a minor leak (looks to be a couple of teaspoons at most) under my Terrano.
I went underneath and its coming from what I think is the clutch/gearbox gasket - big circular thing behind the front diff. The joint is damp and the oil is a thick yellowish colour - definitely not fuel, doesn't smell like that.

How big of a problem is this? I really need to use it to get to work tomorrow and like I say not much fluid has been lost.

Any help would be very welcome.

 

[mjpetersen]

If it is coming from the bell housing (the cover for the clutch), then I would suspect transmission oil and transmission front seal, which usually indicates that the input shaft bearing of the tranny is on its way out. From what I have read here that is not that uncommon of a thing. That is my best guess from what you said.

The problem with running it that way is that it will contaminate the clutch which will start to slip.

Mike

 

[Big and Daft]

Bell housing, that sounds like the term I was looking for.

I've just re-checked and there has not been any leakage in just over an hour, so it's a slow leak at least.
I tried to take some pictures, but they didn't come out too well - It's kinda tricky to take a decent picture while crammed under a Terrano...

Here is the best one, I've circled the area I think is responsible in red;

here is a different angle;

 

[solarman216]

sounds like, as mjpetersen says, gearbox oil, but have you checked the clutch fluid, or better still the oil on the ground, pour a little water on it, doe it mix or stay separate, if it mixes it is clutch fluid, if not gear box oil, it will last for a long time like this, it will be a while before the clutch gets to the point of slipping, if the front bearing is going then this may speed things up a bit, is the box noisy at stand still and quite if you dip the clutch, I have a noisy box in all but 4th so probably layshaft bearings, but I have done 20,000 on it in this condition and it does not sound any worse, and I have towed heavy, Rick

 

[96terrano]

That does sound like gear oil, my old box did the same, so did dads maverick. It turned out to be a gasket

 

[Big and Daft]

So I've decided it's the grearbox, not the clutch that's leaking - as the thing that's leaking has a drain/sump plug on it and clutches don't have those. Right?
I'm booked into the garage Thursday, so I'm hoping it's just a gasket. Any idea how tough of a job it is, or how long it will take?
It'll also get some nice new transmission oil, so it's not all bad.

He's also doing my track-rod end, he spotted it last time I was in. It's safe but an MOT fail, so he might as well do it while he's under there

 

[iain.s]

Even if it is only A gasket it will still mean dropping the box to do it because it will prob be bellhousing to box gasket if your lucky could be oil seal I dont know which is easier but both mean dropping it , from what I have seen on here not A job undertaken lightly :augie