What's up with that rover oil leak thing???

[Steph]

Here's something that I've also posted on Discoweb to get the most feedback possible.I'm also very interested in yours...

Guys, I've heard over and over again that if a Rover doesn't leak, it's empty......or if it ain't leaking,it ain't a Rover...etc..etc..etc..

I was refusing to accept that such a vehicle that is synonym with luxury and exclusivity ( in Canada anyways) would leak like an old rust bucket.

When I got my 2000 D2 in the end of last December, it had the typical intake gasket leak, that would gather oil at the bottom of the bellhousing and the oil pan area. Although I would not find any oil on my garage floor, drops were just there hanging bu not falling.

I had the Intake manifold gasket job done, which also involved changing the valve cover gaskets, throttle body and a few more that I don't remember. And a day later, I still had a leak.

Went back to the dealer to complain about the leak still being there, and they added fluorescent dye in the oil to locate the leak. Went back and found that it was the front gasket that was the culprit and the oil was gathering at the same area as before. Had that job done.

Well, it brings me to NOW ( 2 weeks later during which I had checked regularly and found the lower engine to be perfectly dry)....checked underneath just for the heck of it and found that there is oil or other liquid that has gathered at the same area ( bellhousing and oil pan) with a drop hanging there.


So .....Although I refuse to accept that MY Rover leaks, I'd like to know if any of you has that exact same situation where the oil is gathering at the bellhousing oil pan nut area ??????

I've checked 2 Discos since yesterday. 1 D1 and 1 D2 and they both have this situation going on.

How about you ???

All of you guys that have had the intake manifold and/or head gasket job done...
Did it completely stop the leak??? if so, for how long???

[rmuller]

Yes. Rovers leak. I've had head gasket/intake manifold done last year and I still have oil on the bottom of my oil pan, like you said.. right by the bolt... keep an eye on oil levels and dont worry about it. I don't 'drip' that Ive noticed, it just accumulates there.. then dirt gets stuck to it, and it creates a nice protective covering

[auwesman]

I too have said leak on my '00 DII. From what I've gathered, and from what some buddies have helped me realize, I can either pump money into fixing gaskets, etc for the rest of my Rovers life...OR I can be proud of my leaks...learn to love them, as long as they don't go crazy.

A friend of mine asked me the exact same question about the "luxury" of the rover, yet I leave tiny oil drops on his driveway when I come to visit. The interior of my DII is pretty dadgum luxurious...especially compared to the J#$P junk he drives It's like being in a wind tunnel riding around in that thing.

Check out this thread.
http://www.lrrforums.com/showthread....ghlight=fluids

[Disco Mike]

This has been a well known issue with Rover since they first hit the states. Having been with Toyota and Jeep in the past, Toyota went thru more head gaskets then Rover and Jeeps were good oil leakers that loved the explode their diffs and trannys.
Rover is a good vehicle with some problems, but how many of us want to walk away from ours because of a couple of leaks?
Mike

[Steph]

I never said anything about wanting to part with it because of those leaks, but I'm wondering if it can ever get dry, or am I replacing gasket after gasket for nothing because a dry Rover is almost impossible to achieve. And if I do achieve it, it's temporary because fixed gaskets are bound to leak again in the near futur.

My real reason for asking, is that I will sometime soon have my driveway done with interlock. And I would hate the Rover to damage the quality and looks of that $10 000.00 interlock job.

[Elemental]

Honda Elements dont leak.

[Steph]

I'll tell you what. Since you seem to be real nice and everything, I'll be polite and just state that I'm too proud to even be seen in one. Even on the passenger's side. Unless it's in the middle of the night and I'm stranded by the side of the road.

To each his own,but that Element thing definitely ain't mine.

[Dragunov]

Originally Posted by Elemental

Honda Elements dont leak.

May be true, but a honda element is not a Land rover.

My '98 DI doesn't leak anything at all (yet), not even a moisture spot on the oil pan.

BTW, I have 0.9% interest in purchacing an element

[6cuda6]

Mine has the same....i suspect it would be the rear main seal seeping [by the way the manufactuers concider SEEPAGE normal??] when the vehicle is shut off do too the clearances in the engine or a poor quality seal. I can live with it, as oil is way cheaper than trying to fix that one.....i'm more concerned about oil that lands on the exhaust manifolds or overheating.

The other thing is if the dealer put dye in the oil.....get out the black light bulb from the old closet and scoot under the truck and have a look....

Now i know what you mean about the drive way thing...so put the wife's car outside and park the Rover in the garage...lol....:]

[dismalrobot]

My D2 does not leave drips, but I do see that there is a very tiny leak from my valve cover. I don't mind it. However, I am a big supporter of the Tread Lightly philosophy of leaving a wilderness area better than you found it. I worry more about tainting the environment than anything else.

So, if you have a good size leak, it would be best to take care of it or at least make an effort to clean it up after a camping trip.

[6cuda6]

This is seepage [sweating]here...in other words it is wet looking....NOt hold your hand under it and get oil on your pamn!!! or free under body spray...

If you are leaving puddles and not perhaps a drip mark it should be looked at....sooner or latter it will get worse, not better......

[Steph]

I actually do not get drops on the ground at all. not yet anyways. That's why I want to fix anything that would damage my futur driveway's finish.

And I just dove underneath to check again, and there's not even enough to make a drop!!! All the other sources have been fixed by the dealer. Now, the whole engine is dry all around, and there's that oil there at the bottom of where the transmission meets the engine. I'm very afraid that 6cuda6 is right about the rear main seal. Does it get worse with time, or should I have this addressed??? I have scheduled an appointment at the dealer for next week and they should put some dye again to locate it. Funny thing is that the oil level doesn't budge, and the oil found at the bottom is dirtier than the oil in the engine ?!?!

[fire1427]

I don't see newer DII'd chiming in ...Is this a when they are newer they are fine then when they get XX miles they develop leaks ???

[KevinNY]

My '04 stated to drip from the rear pinion seal at 60k. Otherwise it is fine. My '73 drips a bit. Cheapest fix is a old cardboard box on the garage floor underneath it. DO NOT SPEND GOOD MONEY on minor drips. Even a puddle of oil is probably only an ounce.

[auwesman]

Originally Posted by KevinNY

Cheapest fix is a old cardboard box on the garage floor underneath it.

X2 on the card board box!