Oil Leak

Mr OCD

Active Member
May 1, 2008
1,974
4
Manchester, UK
I knew the Cupra was running too well...

This morning noticed a small oil patch on the driveway from where I had the car parked yesterday... so quickly checked under the car in the garage and I have another small oil patch :think::think:

Obviously a bit vague and will be looking tonight but does anyone know what oil leaks are common on the Cupra?

The oil patch is situated towards the front / middle of car...

:think::think:
 

mrwookie

Big Daddy...
Mar 22, 2008
716
0
Cambs & Herts
Sump plug and oil cooler are known to leak. If you have an under tray fitted though bear in mind this won't show true location of oil leak as will run around atop the tray. :)
 

Mr OCD

Active Member
May 1, 2008
1,974
4
Manchester, UK
I reckon sump plug... I've never replaced it or even the washer... :)

Will sort tonight hopefully and will resist tightening it further!!! (cracked sump anyone)

Worth getting the ECS sump plug from awesome?
 

matylad

Full Member
Nov 24, 2005
279
0
Crewe, Cheshire
I reckon sump plug... I've never replaced it or even the washer... :)

Will sort tonight hopefully and will resist tightening it further!!! (cracked sump anyone)

Worth getting the ECS sump plug from awesome?

Im sure i remember Robdon having an ECS plug and he didnt reckon much to it.

I have ones of these in and its mega strong!!

Matt
 

Mr OCD

Active Member
May 1, 2008
1,974
4
Manchester, UK
Well it isnt the sump plug... as its gearbox oil ...

Had a good look underneath and it looks like its coming from the gearbox sump plug round the threads :confused::confused:

Very odd...
 
Aug 7, 2009
1,395
0
Manchester U.K
It isnt usualy the plug unless its been out, the plug is the lowest point on the box so any oil leaks will run down to the plug then drip there. Id sway towards shaft seals of the filler plug if its been out. Best was is to clean the gearbox what you can see with brake cleaner so its oil free and run it for a few days see if it comes back.
 

Mr OCD

Active Member
May 1, 2008
1,974
4
Manchester, UK
It isnt usualy the plug unless its been out, the plug is the lowest point on the box so any oil leaks will run down to the plug then drip there. Id sway towards shaft seals of the filler plug if its been out. Best was is to clean the gearbox what you can see with brake cleaner so its oil free and run it for a few days see if it comes back.

Ok thanks mate... will do that tonight :)

Its not been out since I've had the car. Ive got it booked into my mates garage next week to take a look but will keep eye on it in meantime.
 

Mr OCD

Active Member
May 1, 2008
1,974
4
Manchester, UK
What I dont get is where can oil be coming from on that side of the car?

I'm not 100% cert its gearbox oil either... its hard to tell from the garage floor!
 
Aug 7, 2009
1,395
0
Manchester U.K
Smell it, you can tell the diffrence as gear oil smells horrid. Sure its not PAS fluid?
The only fluids on that side is oil from sump, crank seal, gearbox oil, pas fluid, or from arround rocker, but from the rocker i dbout it will cause a patch of oil on the floor. Check all PAS hoses, arround drive shafts etc. My old saxo has leaking shaft seals, but wudent leak unles car was moving, eventually run dry of oil and kaboom a hole where the diff **** its self so check carefully mate as oil leaks arent to be ignored. Also brake fluid can look like oil on some surfaces.
 
Last edited:

matylad

Full Member
Nov 24, 2005
279
0
Crewe, Cheshire
Shaun is right. There is a power steering pipe that loops over the top of the gearbox. This was seeping fluid on mine (quite a common problem I’m lead to believe) be prepared for a shock though, the pipe in questions is over £100!! My money would be on one of the gearbox plugs being loose, someone had the fill plug work its way loose causing the gearbox to eventually fail. Also sounds like a good excuse to get the gearbox oil changed if it’s never been done.

The only other thing I could think of would be the “old split breather pipe” but I doubt this would leave oily spots on the floor.

Matt.
 

Mr OCD

Active Member
May 1, 2008
1,974
4
Manchester, UK
Thanks Guys :)

It smelt pretty rank so assumed was gearbox oil...

I'm going to have another good look tonight as this is concerning me.
 

Mr OCD

Active Member
May 1, 2008
1,974
4
Manchester, UK
Right guys looked at this tonight underneath and couldnt see anything obvious... opened the bonnet and checked PS pipes and gearbox and I find what looks like a rubber plug resting on top of the gearbox.

Now to me it looks like a gearbox oil filler plug! - I might be wrong...

But I cannot find where the gearbox oil filler hole is on the gearbox to confirm.

Can anyone help?
 
Aug 7, 2009
1,395
0
Manchester U.K
Thats the breather for the gearbox, no chance u can get oil in there without making a mess lol, filler is on the side of the box, drain plug is on the bottom.

Where abouts in MCR are you.
 

Mr OCD

Active Member
May 1, 2008
1,974
4
Manchester, UK
Thats the breather for the gearbox, no chance u can get oil in there without making a mess lol, filler is on the side of the box, drain plug is on the bottom.

Where abouts in MCR are you.

I'm in Kearsley... North Manchester :)

Any ideas why I found this plug resting on the gearbox then? :confused:

Car is barely leaking anything but even so I want it sorted :-o

Sounds like I need to get it up on axle stands and do a proper investigation underneath :whistle:
 
Aug 7, 2009
1,395
0
Manchester U.K
LOL its ment to be there, its a rubber bung to stop dust and debris geting in. Its there just like a breather system on a car to stop excessive pressure build up. Unless your gearbox has like 5L of oil in it wont come out of there.
 

Mr OCD

Active Member
May 1, 2008
1,974
4
Manchester, UK
LOL its ment to be there, its a rubber bung to stop dust and debris geting in. Its there just like a breather system on a car to stop excessive pressure build up. Unless your gearbox has like 5L of oil in it wont come out of there.

No mate its not plugged into anything... literally found it lose resting on top of the gearbox not plugged into anything~!!!! :D
 
Progressive Parts, performance parts and tuning specialists