Unexplained oil

Afternoon all,

I noticed yesterday whilst doing a bit of body work (on the Defender, not me) that there was a large puddle of oil on the floor underneath the engine.

The power steering has starting to make a groaning noise whenever I turn the wheel so I checked the power steering oil level - all ok.

I also checked the brake oil level and that’s ok too.

I checked the engine oil level and that was absolutely spot on.

I can’t figure out where this oil is coming from, my only thought now would be hydraulic oil leaking from a knackered gasket.

Does anyone have any suggestions? All specialist garages are still shut and I need this back on the road asap.

Thanks

p.s If anyone knows how to fix the groaning on the power steering motor that would also be great. Ta

Colour of the oil?

It’s like a pinky-red oil and I’ve shown where it’s dripping from

power steering id think ,does the oil froth in the reservoir when steerings rocked from lock to lock

That is quite some leak!
What engine is it?
Dont use until fixed, you will wreck the pump.

jamesmartin said:

power steering id think ,does the oil froth in the reservoir when steerings rocked from lock to lock

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Yes it does

lynall said:

That is quite some leak!
What engine is it?
Dont use until fixed, you will wreck the pump.

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It’s a TD5 - not using it until sussed it out!

Does the gearbox on this use ATF/MTF, do you have an oil cooler radiator & if so is that where it's coming from?

Ratae said:

Does the gearbox on this use ATF/MTF, do you have an oil cooler radiator & if so is that where it's coming from?

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It’s a MTF and I don’t think it has an oil cooler radiator

Whilst doing the lock to lock test, the resi was frothing and there was an awful noise which I can only assume is coming from the motor

I’ve just got under and had a bloody good look at where the oil is coming from. It is dripping off of the right hand side of the engine block which I’m not sure how it’s getting there

Right hand side as in looking towards the front of the car when sat in the driver's seat?

Thoroughly clean & hopefully you will be able to narrow it down.

Ratae said:

Right hand side as in looking towards the front of the car when sat in the driver's seat?

Thoroughly clean & hopefully you will be able to narrow it down.

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Right hand side as if I’m opening the bonnet.

I think I’ve figured it out, the oil is coming from the power steering and then dripping onto one of the steering bars. It then runs down to the other side of the bar before stopping and dripping off making it look like it’s from the right hand side of the engine when really the problem is on the left (under the power steering)

Only issue now is how the hell do I fix it!

Sounds like you've found it.
Clean the area & with a bit of luck you'll see exactly which bit it's coming from.

FWIW sides are given as in my post. Avoids confusion.

You need to work out whether its the pump or the hoses leaking, fat hose is suction, slimmer one is pressure hose.

I have never done a td5 pas pump, but see what if anything is bolted to the back as that seems to be the done thing nowadays.

Bound to be some vids on yoututbe

jjpparker said:

Yes it does

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you need a new pump then id think is it wet behind the pump pulley,froth is a sign airs getting in when its pumping,at the same time it can leak out when stopped, the return hose is prone to leak too hose clipoften not tight enough

lynall said:

You need to work out whether its the pump or the hoses leaking, fat hose is suction, slimmer one is pressure hose.

I have never done a td5 pas pump, but see what if anything is bolted to the back as that seems to be the done thing nowadays.

Bound to be some vids on yoututbe

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its drives the water pump,can be tricky to align and fit first go

lynall said:

You need to work out whether its the pump or the hoses leaking, fat hose is suction, slimmer one is pressure hose.

I have never done a td5 pas pump, but see what if anything is bolted to the back as that seems to be the done thing nowadays.

Bound to be some vids on yoututbe

Click to expand...

The water pump is back to back with the steering pump, they share the same drive, my money would be on a hose or connector, mine were a bit shabby when I looked so I replaced some of them, the one that runs along the front cross member was almost rotted through.

Ok, I’ll get in and have a look - praying it’s a loose clip or broken hose!

I’ll let you know how it goes, thanks for everyone’s help