Disappearing oil battery drain

jaydisco4x4 · Mar 8, 2022

Just looking for some advice on my 2000 discovery 2 td5 213k
My battery drained while driving last week I charged the battery full but it drained after 5-10 mins of driving,
while I was under the bonnet I checked the oil and it was practically dry, what I thought was unusual it had a full service in December.
Iv looked underneath and the only place I can see wet oil is below my alternator, but I havnt got one drop of oil on my driveway, there also seems to be a earthed cable, looks like the oil has damaged the earth leading to the battery has anyone eles had the same problem before?? when the battery is charged it starts first time every time, I’ll try upload pics if anyone can make it out thanks

lynall · Mar 8, 2022

Could be duff alternator
Always wise to check levels weekly or before sny long trip

jaydisco4x4 · Mar 8, 2022

lynall said:
Could be duff alternator
Always wise to check levels weekly or before sny long trip

Would that drain the oil too I didn’t think to check it, it’s hardly used an doesn’t go off-road but I’ll be definitely giving it more regular checks now

PopPops · Mar 8, 2022

jaydisco4x4 said:
Would that drain the oil too ...

Not directly, but there is an oil feed to the vacuum pump on the front of the alternator and an oil drain from the vacuum pump back to the sump. Oil in the alternator will eventually cause it to fail, but at 213k it could have failed from old age too.

Also check the cam blanking plug at the front of the engine, the fan blows oil over everything so it's difficult to see the source.

Cheers.

jaydisco4x4 · Mar 8, 2022

PopPops said:
Not directly, but there is an oil feed to the vacuum pump on the front of the alternator and an oil drain from the vacuum pump back to the sump. Oil in the alternator will eventually cause it to fail, but at 213k it could have failed from old age too.

Also check the cam blanking plug at the front of the engine, the fan blows oil over everything so it's difficult to see the source.

Cheers.

Thanks for the reply bud I appreciate it the disco was bought from insurance auction the xyz had gone so I’m unsure of how old everything is what time/miles the parts have been replaced if any, I’ll try an new alternator thank you

PopPops · Mar 8, 2022

jaydisco4x4 said:
Thanks for the reply bud I appreciate it the disco was bought from insurance auction the xyz had gone so I’m unsure of how old everything is what time/miles the parts have been replaced if any, I’ll try an new alternator thank you

You are welcome, but before you spend out on a new alternator (unless you have one lying around!) I would check the battery voltage with the engine running, it should be over 14V, around 14.5V is normal.

jaydisco4x4 · Mar 8, 2022

PopPops said:
You are welcome, but before you spend out on a new alternator (unless you have one lying around!) I would check the battery voltage with the engine running, it should be over 14V, around 14.5V is normal.

Will do, the battery is only a few months old but I’ll still check it first thanks

Disappearing oil battery drain

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