QuestionQUESTION: Hello Howard. You answered a question before on another E
type which was great. I am now looking at my E type. I have
a bad oil leak, I think from the rear tail shaft of the
gearbox. It leaks when I am not moving. Looking at the spec
this gearbox has an oil pump and wondering if the rear seal
has gone and the pump is forcing oil out? Can you confirm
this and whether I have to remove the gearbox to replace the
seal?? Should I also replace the rear bearing?? Many thanks.
Tim Kingaby
ANSWER: Hi Tim,
I have rebuilt E-type gearboxes (early and later) but have never tried to change the rear seal on one in the car. As I remember the cross member comes off on the roadster and coupe but not the 2+2 so it may be possible to get the rear cover off in the car.
If not you will have to remove the engine and gear box as per Jaguar. However, if you have to go that rout, myself and another mechanic worked out a method to remove the gearbox from below and not remove the engine.
The only reason you need to remove the engine is to gain access to the bellhousing bolts. Even though you can't drop the engine out the bottom you can drop it down several inches. Remove the steel plate cross member that is mounted on the torsion bar mounts by inserting a (hardened 3/8 steel rod in place of one of the bolts on each side that keep a preload on the torsion bar mounts) and you can slide the steel plate off and tilt the rear down to gain access to the rear seal plate if you can't access it up in place.
Jaguar said it takes 16 hours to put a clutch in an E-type and if you follow their directions it just about will but this method I was able to change a clutch in 6 hours. If you are not removing the gearbox and only working on the rear seal, you may be able to do it even quicker.
good luck, let me know.
Howard
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Would you agree that the oil pump is pushing oil from the seal?? as it leaks when not moving.
Thanks again for your great info. Old age and trechery overcomes youth and skill!!
Regards
Tim Kingaby
AnswerHi Tim,
As I tell everyone, diagnosis by symptoms is mostly a waste of time. The oil pump is powered by the main shaft and it is only turning when the car is moving. So quit trying to diagnose it and get your hands dirty and examine where the oil is exactly coming from. It can be several places at the rear. The speedometer drive, the rear seal or even a loose tail shaft nut can leak oil or a gasket. The pump is at the rear but not turning unless the drive shaft is turning.
You should purchase a service manual before you start so as not to waste time and energy doing things you should not do.
If the seal is bad you need to check for any free play in the rear bearing or it will just knock out the new seal shortly.
Howard
