Freelander 1 Trying to locate oil leak - 1.8

Hi all, my 1.8k makes a good loud squeal on start up and when driving in the wet. Been poking around trying to figure it out, found oil contamination on the auxiliary belt flat side. Guessing it's slipping on the tensioner and making a racket while it does so. The belt is otherwise in good nick, looks recently changed. Unfortunately whoever changed it couldn't be bothered to put the 3 bolt splash shield back on after, so that's probably not helping matters.

Anyone have any clues to where the leak might be coming from?



Many thanks

Possible crank oil seal but can't see oil on the belt.
Check belt correctly tensioned.
Secure the cable loom with the mounting lug near the crank pulley (bolt has been sheared off) or it may end up being wound in !!!

andyfreelandy said:

Possible crank oil seal but can't see oil on the belt.
Check belt correctly tensioned.
Secure the cable loom with the mounting lug near the crank pulley (bolt has been sheared off) or it may end up being wound in !!!

Click to expand...

Thanks mate. There's a couple of big oil spots on the belt not shown in the photo.
Regarding checking belt tension - RAVE says to apply 10kg force to drive belt to measure deflection. What's the best way to apply 10kg? I have a luggage hook scale that might work.

Normally belt squeal from cold is a classic belt worn or not tight symptom.

You can feel when a belt isn't tight enough. Push it with your thumb on the longest run and see how much it deflects with a moderate push.

The only time I've used a deflection gauge is with manually tensioned timing belts, but for a drive belt it's unnecessary.

A common oil leak location on the K-series is from cam seals. Whether that’s the case here is difficult to say, particularly as the tell-tales will be hidden by the cam covers...

Nodge68 said:

Normally belt squeal from cold is a classic belt worn or not tight symptom.

You can feel when a belt isn't tight enough. Push it with your thumb on the longest run and see how much it deflects with a moderate push.

The only time I've used a deflection gauge is with manually tensioned timing belts, but for a drive belt it's unnecessary.

Click to expand...

Finally got around to tightening the belt today - no more squeal! The neighbours will be pleased Thanks Nodge.