attempting to change gearbox transfer and diff oils today

I am currently getting a few leaks and some strange noises from my 1991 Defender 2.5tdi. REV is Left and up if this helps.

Each day after driving I am getting a small puddle around 10cm square under the rear diff and a similar one from under the gearbox area.

I intend on having the seals etc.. looked at and changed, but at the moment I do not have the time so thought as it probably has not been done for a while I would drain and replace all the oil in the diffs, gear box and transfer box.

I have read a few threads on here and so am fairly confident for doing the work. I am not as confident on the correct oil, looks like a few different opinions as with everything! but im sure I will work it out.

Anyway as you are all such experienced professionals when it comes to Landys I wanted to hear any words of wisdom before I start, anything that Haynes has wrong or mistakes you have made when doing the same jobs.

I dont have much time today so need to get it right first time, so far I know the following.

Remove the filler plug before the sump plug and get some kind of syringe to fill it with. bar getting the right oil what else do I need to know?

Thanks for any help

Tony

Sorry second question, as I am having a few leaks from these areas and will be attempting to rectify by changing seals etc.. in the not to distant future, would i be better putting thicker oils in these areas to help stop the leaks for now? or would this cause bigger problems, if so what oil would you recommend?

Thicker oil won't stop it leaking.

Thanks Benneh

I just went for a quick look underneath in case i needed any different sockets etc.. and found something a little worrying.

Located the transfer plugs and the diff plugs but when looking for the gearbox one I found this. Not sure how well the picture shows it but at the bottom of the bell housing on the gearbox side there is what looks like a drain plug hole but no plug!

The car has been worked on recently but for a oil service and brake refresh, no gearbox work was carried out. It was then inspected by a different garage by someone who was looking to buy it, however they said it had too much rust for them.

So I have no reason to think that someone has removed this recently, so if not is it the gearbox drain? car is driving OK and only leaking a small amount from this area, however it is everytime it is used.

sorry no picture!

Wading plug hole

I wish I had a quid for every time I've heard someone shocked to find a hole in the bottom of their Landy with no plug in it.

few more pictures showing the drain plugs I have located

So im OK? was a little worried!! but gathered if it had been driving OK then couldnt be too much to worry about.

So what is it? and what is it for?

That's your bellhousing wading plug hole

Meant to be like that unless you're going through deep water

Panic over

Think there's a busters photo Guide on here for oil change

Gear box drain plug is on side of gear box - think a 32mm or 34mm spanner needed to undo.

Filler is above it

Thanks guys, learn something new every day and all that!!
So it stops water entering the gearbox etc.. in deep water. Why wouldn't it be a good idea to have it in all the time?
I am happy to accept that its fine just curious as to why its left off in normal driving?

Anyway back to the issue!! picture 1,2 am i right in saying this is the transfer box drain and fill plugs?

It lets oil drain out rather than contaminate clutch plate as all Landys leak!

Follow linky to photo guides

busters-photo-tour-landrover-repairs - Land Rover Zone

Tonym3 said:

Thanks guys, learn something new every day and all that!!
So it stops water entering the gearbox etc.. in deep water. Why wouldn't it be a good idea to have it in all the time?
I am happy to accept that its fine just curious as to why its left off in normal driving?

Click to expand...

To stop oil seepage from rear crank seal and gearbox contaminating the clutch

Cool thanks everyone had already looked through Busters excellent guides just wanted to know any further advice before I started.

Right off to buy oil!!

Thanks again, this really is a great forum for technical info, even if you probably end up answering the same dumb questions all the time!, I never fail to get a decent answer.
:5bseeya:

Make sure your breathers are clear if your getting leaks develop from seals