Looks like I have oil leaking from the joint where the oil filter housing bolts onto the case. How difficult is it going to be to replace the gasket?
Never tried that as a solo mission, but seems unlikely? Have you checked the oil pressure switch dirctly above? And the distributor seal also right above?
Spray it all with brake/clutch cleaner several times and wipe what you can. When it's dry and grease free, run it up and you'll get a better idea. I've been tracing leaks on 2 T4 engines last week. Both were peeing out when driven and neither would leak in the workshop. One was the mechanical petrol pump breather squiting oil at the heat exchanger and the other, the plastic spacer under the petrol pump was cracked right through - it was loosing a litre every 20 miles or so. So both easy fixes as it turned out. The oil pressure switches can break down and leak through the centre. This will leak more than the distributor seal as it's under pressure dirctly after then oil pump whereas the distributor is splash lubricated.
Right had good look today, oil is deffo coming from the oil filter housing gasket. To replace the gasket I'm going to have to remove the fan housing to get to the top securing nut for the filter mount . Can I remove the fan housing with the engine in situ? I assume I would have to drop the heat exchangers to enable the housing to be pulled forward. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
You can, there is quite a lot that needs stripping to get the fan housing off, but it does come off OK, i think i also had to lower the engine very slightly (remove the bolts from the chassis and lower on a jack) to get the fan casing out. as i recall it it was lower tin Fan belt and the fan itself Thermostate cable exhaust exhaust heat shield heat exchangers rear tins alternator connectors/cables and alternator oil filler neck dipstick bellows There's probably more but that's the jist of it off the top of my head
Are you sure you need to remove all that to take the oil filter housing off?? If you remove the oil filter, that will give you access to the bottom nut, and then a 3/8 drive ratchet with a 3in extension should get you on the top one... might be a bit of a fiddle, but worth a go before major strip down happens
Gents thanks for your replies, such a lot to do for just for replacing a £3 gasket. Paul I have tried all ways to get at that top nut including your suggestion, however the oil cooler is obstructing getting the socket on. I think I will just have to bite the bullet and get on with stripping it down. The oil leak is getting quite bad, I assume because its under pressure when engine running.
It is very unusual for it to leak from there... it could well be your cooler seals that have failed and it looks like it is leaking from the filter mount as they're almost directly above!!
