Oil leak

Hi Folks - I am brand new on here, any advice from you Landy experts would be greatly appreciated.
I recently bought a Freelander TD4 (facelift) 2004 for pulling my trailer and vintage tractor
(Freelander needed a clutch)
I trailered it home and set about the clutch task, all done, whole thing rebuilt inc. brakes, suspension etc and MOT'd - runs well only 95,000 miles, no smoke, no warning lights on, starts well.

However it has now developed an oil leak. I understand this is common - oil is leaking out the bell housing joint - not out of the 2 holes - its not a flood but a leak is a leak and I prefer to have none. All oils were changed -I suspect it is gearbox or IRD oil as its clean, engine oil was changed too but is a bit darker now. Both drive shafts output seals look fine - no leaks
I have read a bit on-line about a gearbox input shaft oil seal? also 2 seals in the IRD end? I did renew the IRD "O" ring with a genuine part. Perhaps I have missed something or should of done something else due to my lack of Freelander knowledge?
I dont really want to take it it apart again but if I have to then so be it I just want no leaks - any advice?
Regards
Kershope (Ian)

Maybe you damaged the O ring when the IRD was refitted? It's easy done when trying to line up the splines.

Nodge68 said:

Maybe you damaged the O ring when the IRD was refitted? It's easy done when trying to line up the splines.

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Hi, yeah I can see how easy that would be, I did put the clutch in on the floor with it up in the air so a bit awkward. I am trying to work out and understand the Freelander and what can leak into where. If the "O" ring is damaged would it leak IRD oil into the bell housing? Its not leaking outwards externally
Thanks for response

Kershope said:

Hi, yeah I can see how easy that would be, I did put the clutch in on the floor with it up in the air so a bit awkward. I am trying to work out and understand the Freelander and what can leak into where. If the "O" ring is damaged would it leak IRD oil into the bell housing? Its not leaking outwards externally
Thanks for response

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If the IRD to box O ring is damaged, gearbox oil will escape through a small "tell tale" hole in the bottom of the box IRD joint.

Hi, okay thanks for this, I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. I am getting the back door painted today as I had to change it but when I get it back later this week I think I will drop the IRD out as its not a major job and assess things from there
Cheers
Ian

Kershope said:

Hi, okay thanks for this, I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. I am getting the back door painted today as I had to change it but when I get it back later this week I think I will drop the IRD out as its not a major job and assess things from there
Cheers
Ian

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I'd check oil is coming out the hole before pulling the IRD off again.

Its leaking gearbox/IRD box oil out the bottom of the bell housing joint - I will have to find the hole you refer to - I looked under it when I got to the paint shop and there is also engine oil leaking too now - definitely 2 different oils - engine oil is around the bolt that goes through the engine block into the gearbox right below the IRD box - not an easy one I guess
Ian

Kershope said:

Its leaking gearbox/IRD box oil out the bottom of the bell housing joint - I will have to find the hole you refer to - I looked under it when I got to the paint shop and there is also engine oil leaking too now - definitely 2 different oils - engine oil is around the bolt that goes through the engine block into the gearbox right below the IRD box - not an easy one I guess
Ian

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I've been checking this myself. It appears that the hole was in my memory and is a figment of my imagination .
The O ring that is damaged will allow oil to seep between the IRD nose and the gearbox. Ignore the hole references, as I can't remember what part of what car has it how.

Kershope said:

Its leaking gearbox/IRD box oil out the bottom of the bell housing joint - I will have to find the hole you refer to - I looked under it when I got to the paint shop and there is also engine oil leaking too now - definitely 2 different oils - engine oil is around the bolt that goes through the engine block into the gearbox right below the IRD box - not an easy one I guess
Ian

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I've not seen a TD4 setup, but on the K & L Series I'm sure there isn't anything "below" the IRD. There are 2 mounting bolts for the IRD at each bottom corner. IIRC, these go through the gearbox mounting plate into the gearbox (or striaght into the gearbox) - there's no part of the engine there for engine oil to escape from.

Hi, yeah no probs, this isn't going to be easy to solve I guess - the engine oil must be coming from higher up or running round from somewhere - I think IRD out, check the o ring and see if I can see where the engine oil is coming from - job for next weekend I guess