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edward

Member Since: 08 Jan 2023
Location: Lincs
Posts: 151

Leaking king pin and diff

Hi. A question for all you technical experts…. apparently have a a couple of leaks on the front axle- a leaking king pin and dif - how serious is this? No oil lights are on and the truck runs well. But there are oil patches underneath. And is it an expensive repair? Many thanks Ed

6th Feb 2023 9:51pm

LandRoverAnorak

Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11324

Most of what you ask is difficult to judge without seeing it, unfortunately. Can you share any pictures?

As for the lack of an oil light, that protection only applies to the engine. There is no level or pressure monitoring on anything in the drivetrain. There are both fill and drain plugs on the diffs and they are 'fill to spill'. If you're not sure then try topping it up and see how much it takes. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia

7th Feb 2023 6:31am

edward

Member Since: 08 Jan 2023
Location: Lincs
Posts: 151

Thanks will post shortly. How to you check the oil levels on those parts? Is it simple? Thanks Ed.

7th Feb 2023 7:43am

LandRoverAnorak

Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11324

You can try by sticking your finger in the fill hole. If the oil is level with the bottom of the hole, or at least near as, then the level is fine. If not, top it up until it begins to spill out - 'fill to spill'.

This obviously only works if the vehicle is on level ground. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia

7th Feb 2023 8:10am

Dinnu

Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3478

2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black

Actually there are 2 types of swivels. The later ones (24 spline, or 300tdi onwards) take a one shot grease, and the fill plug is high, refer to location on left image below. The earlier swivels (center image) used to take Ep90 gear oil, and the fill plug is a bit lower down and is fill to spill. When checking or filling swivels, it is better to steer in the direction of the swivel that you are filling. So if checking the passenger side, steer left.

The diff level is through the plug shown in right most image below. It is fill to spill.

Click image to enlarge 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black

7th Feb 2023 8:23am

LandRoverAnorak

Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11324

Good point, I was only thinking of the diff. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia

7th Feb 2023 8:32am

edward

Member Since: 08 Jan 2023
Location: Lincs
Posts: 151

Thanks both. Here are a few images of the leaks. It seems to be quite oily - but it’s not pooling anywhere. I did just have a new cutch fitted so wonder if that has had any effect? And help or suggestions would be amazing.

Thanks Ed.

Click image to enlarge

7th Feb 2023 10:06am

Dinnu

Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3478

Looking at the 2nd picture, you may have a leak from the engine main seal. Too bad if you have just done a new clutch, as to replace that seal, will need the gearbox coming out again.

The leak from the diff seems to be just an oil stain from the filler plug... perhaps tighten that a bit further. I sometimes apply some ptfe (thread) tape to the plugs (both drain and fill) as an extra precaution, although not really required as the thread is taper and should seal metal to metal. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black

7th Feb 2023 10:33am

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17598

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey

LandRoverAnorak wrote:
...If the oil is level with the bottom of the hole, or at least near as, then the level is fine.

Provided, that is, that no water has got in, in which case the level may be right but it is definitely not fine.

The oil on the bottom of the gearbox suggests that the crankshaft rear pain oil seal is leaking, which is unfortunate timing if you've just had a new clutch as it could have been easily (and economically) changed at the same time (if however it was changed at the same time the new one is leaking and you need to take it back to whoever fitted it).

The oil, if it is oil, on the front of the front diff is in an unusual place of a diff oil leak and I onder if it is actually dripping from the front of the engine above? Usually diffs leak from the pinion oil seal (where the flange fits), and sometimes from the drain plug on the bottom, but a leak high up on the front, round the filler plug, is very unusual.

7th Feb 2023 10:33am

edward

Member Since: 08 Jan 2023
Location: Lincs
Posts: 151

Dinnu wrote:
Looking at the 2nd picture, you may have a leak from the engine main seal. Too bad if you have just done a new clutch, as to replace that seal, will need the gearbox coming out again.

The leak from the diff seems to be just an oil stain from the filler plug... perhaps tighten that a bit further. I sometimes apply some ptfe (thread) tape to the plugs (both drain and fill) as an extra precaution, although not really required as the thread is taper and should seal metal to metal.

Ok thanks I will explore and try to get fixed. Annoying as you say!
if I check the oil level in the engine will that tell me the severity of the leak?

7th Feb 2023 11:11am

Dinnu

Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3478

The engine takes about 7 liters of oil, so if it is leaking enough to cause a low oil issue in the engine, I think you will have more serious issues with other motorists. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black

7th Feb 2023 12:22pm

edward

Member Since: 08 Jan 2023
Location: Lincs
Posts: 151

blackwolf wrote:
LandRoverAnorak wrote:
...If the oil is level with the bottom of the hole, or at least near as, then the level is fine.

Provided, that is, that no water has got in, in which case the level may be right but it is definitely not fine.

The oil on the bottom of the gearbox suggests that the crankshaft rear pain oil seal is leaking, which is unfortunate timing if you've just had a new clutch as it could have been easily (and economically) changed at the same time (if however it was changed at the same time the new one is leaking and you need to take it back to whoever fitted it).

The oil, if it is oil, on the front of the front diff is in an unusual place of a diff oil leak and I onder if it is actually dripping from the front of the engine above? Usually diffs leak from the pinion oil seal (where the flange fits), and sometimes from the drain plug on the bottom, but a leak high up on the front, round the filler plug, is very unusual.

I’ll def ask the garage. In my invoice they say they ‘removed flywheel to renew the crank seal, clean up and rebuild’ does that make sense? Thanks Ed.

7th Feb 2023 12:30pm

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17598

In that case either the new crank seal is leaking and they need to do the job again, or they were very careful in preserving the oil oil on the bottom of the gearbox and the clean up sucked!

There is a common problem with new seals leaking because they are not fitted correctly, there are two locations where precisely the right amount of sealant must be used or else the seal will leak. I wonder if perhaps they goofed on this.

7th Feb 2023 1:15pm

edward

Member Since: 08 Jan 2023
Location: Lincs
Posts: 151

Thanks. I’ll drop it back and see what they say. Thanks very much for your help.

7th Feb 2023 1:16pm

edward

Member Since: 08 Jan 2023
Location: Lincs
Posts: 151

blackwolf wrote:
In that case either the new crank seal is leaking and they need to do the job again, or they were very careful in preserving the oil oil on the bottom of the gearbox and the clean up sucked!

There is a common problem with new seals leaking because they are not fitted correctly, there are two locations where precisely the right amount of sealant must be used or else the seal will leak. I wonder if perhaps they goofed on this.

You were right. The crankseal was fitted incorrectly. All sorted now and nice and clean! Thanks for the advice.

25th Feb 2023 10:08am

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