Series 3 oil leaking from flywheel housing drain hole

Hello all

Finally satisfied the dream and acquired 1976 series 3 for son and me. Getting used to water coming in and oil leaking out. Sorted out some bodywork issues and now turn to mechanical side. Notice oil dripping out of flywheel housing drain plug after use. Appreciate any pointers as to what may be causing this. Also some white residue on the end of the dipstick, again any thoughts much appreciated.

Landrover owner camaraderie is great, keep waving

Oil from the bell housing is Crankshaft Rear Oil Seal leaking. A little oil is OK, if it's ****ing out, time to replace the seal, which is an engine out job to replace a £2 seal. Have a look at replacing the clutch at the same time.

White residue on dipstick is normally water in the oil, not good, maybe head gasket, or maybe if you've been wading, water down the dipstick hole. Have a look in the oil filler cap for white foamy residue.
Are you losing water from the radiator?

Also another possibility for the oil leak is the input shaft seal on the gearbox, still an engine out job I'm afraid.
And it does sound like the gasket has failed, is the top hose on the rad rock hard?, do you get lots of smoke from the oil filler with the engine running?.

Thanks guys for your valuable help.

From history I have, the gasket was replaced in 1998, landy has since covered 23k, no foamy residue in oil filler cap. Will check rad hose and monitor rad water level.

First time I noticed oil leaking from flywheel housing, a 4" patch after stationary for 20mins, then 2” patch when stopped at garage for fuel/provisions. Seems to leak when engine running but not once parked up.

woody rocks said:

First time I noticed oil leaking from flywheel housing, a 4" patch after stationary for 20mins, then 2” patch when stopped at garage for fuel/provisions. Seems to leak when engine running but not once parked up.

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That's Rear Crankshaft Oil Seal for sure. Leak sounds pretty bad, but not terrible. When mine let go it ****ed out. Engine out job to fix it, pretty easy to do though.
I put new seals and bearings throughout when I put my new engine in, ran perfect for 2 weeks and Crank seal let go, crappy Britpart seal. Engine out again and fitted OEM seal, it's been perfect since.

Thanks Spyderman

6 weeks in and already got to take the engine out. A trip to Dunsfold Landrovers to source genuine part in order. How can I tell if I have a 3 or 5 bearing engine? 1976 2.25ltr petrol.

woody rocks said:

How can I tell if I have a 3 or 5 bearing engine? 1976 2.25ltr petrol.

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The engine No. would tell, but it's likely that yours is a 3 bearing, as the 5 bearing engine wasn't introduced until 1980

woody rocks said:

Thanks Spyderman

A trip to Dunsfold Landrovers to source genuine part in order.

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Dingocroft in Downley, High Wycombe are a good source of genuine parts, both in store and mail order.

Do you think it would be prudent to fix this and check out head gasket issue before signing up for the London to Brighton run, that would be a 110-mile round trip?

I'd check out the head gasket. As I said oil leak is bad, but not terrible.

Have you got RAC/AA recovery?

110 miles shouldn't kill it, you can top up the oil as required, just don't put the wading plug in.

Thanks again Spyderman, I have AA recovery

A bit of foam in the engine isn't abnormal if you are only driving short distances but check the other symptoms of blown head gasket just in case. Taking the engine out isn't too hard - the 3 bearing usually has the oil filler tube on the side of the engine just in front of the dizzy, the 5 bearing usually has a blanking plate here and a filler cap on the rocker cover. Or check the engine numbers, from 3610000A and 9910000A for a petrol, 3550001A for a diesel. My 1974 has had a 5brg fitted at some point.....

The top rad hose is soft and plyable, may well have been replaced at some stage, no deposit on oil filler cap. Will keep an eye on water levels. I have read that you get a bit of residue if you only do short trips and condensation builds up. From your description it's a three bearing. Will check number. Thanks oxides

Good news then, just the engine out to do the seal. Days work.

Thanks again, will let you know how we get on, probably do it in a month or so after holidays

Engine no RM024844A, the oil filler tube is on the side of the engine

Head gasket replaced, blown in two places, rear crank oil seal replaced, running sweetly

Yay! another happy customer....