My gearbox is still leaking oil via the speedo cable. I've tried wrapping the end of the cable in amalgamating tape and then gluing it into the gearbox with RTV silicon, and it held for a while, but it almost looks as though the oil has burst out through the tape.



I'm struggling to understand why the oil is so keen to get out. To my mind there are 2 possibilities, either the oil is being mechanically wound up the speedo drive, or the gearbox is pressurising.



In this picture of the speedo drive I can see nothing that would mechanically force oil up between the plastic housing and the shaft, in fact there is a scroll cut in the lower part of the shaft, next to the hole, that I would guess is there to keep oil down.

On the other hand, why would it be pressurising? Heat I guess, but I very rarely rev the engine high, and can't think of any other reason why the 'box would be getting hotter than Citroen anticipated. If it was pressurising why is that not being released through the hole in the gearchange lever gaiter?

I'm really pretty stumped, anyone got any ideas? I'm wondering if it would be worth fitting a breather pipe to the next gearbox, or whether that would be barking up the wrong tree. If I was to manage to successfully seal the end of the cable, would the oil travel all the way up and into the speedo.

I know your not stupid, but tried all the 'silly' things like too much oil in the box?

I "depressurise" every (4x4) gearbox, Citroen does it too (original) with the mehari 4x4 gearbox and backdiff, attaching a hoist to a opening/tube in the gearbox with an petrolfilter on top. You can even help it a little if attached to the airfilter...... (creating a vacuum)

I always drill a hole into the lid of the gearbox and put a valve into it (valve from tubelless tires to let air into the tyre.) These fit perfecty, don't install the
inner valve otherwise no air can go out. I use this also to put in a dipstick to messure the oil level in the gearboxes........ (I'm at work don't have pictures)
if requested I can post them.......

Thanks Geo, I've been thinking that over in my head for a while. You use one of these?



I was thinking about something like this,



And had been thinking that I might have to make some sort of catch tank, but the fuel filter idea is much easier, and I'll be able to see if it is filling with oil.

I use these, no problems with it (no leaking at the foot) you need to watch out where you drill the hole, has to be a flat surface about 3mm thick..... get lost of the innervalve and put a hoist on it... and put it up high, then put a nice petrolfilter on top to finish it........

Drill the hole in a way you can put a dipstick in it to check thr gearbox oil........


The one you mention will work too I guess, but you have to make a thread, to mount it....

Hoist!? Do you mean 'hose'?

Ok hose, (sorry my English is not good and I don't want to spend a whole evening, to translate things)
hope you can forgive me...........

Of course, I was just checking I understood right.

A picture from friday night. I drove home a little bit quick and the heat from the brakes heated the driveshaft joint enough that the gaiter blew off. The other side was very inflated looking but the metal strap held it in place, this side had only cable ties. The smoke is coming from the joint, not the exhaust. Maybe I should have got vented discs.

Hi Joolz - you are having so many small issues with the red one lately. Did you solve the alternator/ starter motor problems???

Did it boil the brake fluid?