salesy300tdi · Sep 7, 2014

Hello everyone

I have got my first disco 1997 300tdi and need some assistance. After getting underneath I discovered an oil leak and a threaded hole where oil is dripping..... can someone shed some light on what it is and what goes in there?

Thank you in advance

blimp · Sep 7, 2014

From what I see that's the so called wading plug. You're suppose to remove it when driving thru deep water for any length of time, so the water can drain out from around the clutch housing. It's the same as your oil sump plug. So I think someone unscrewed it and used it in the sump when the original was knackered. The oil is most likely leaking out around the crankshaft seal. If it's not too bad then I'd leave it so. You know what they say about Disco's if you don't see oil under it then it means there's none in it.

blue beasty · Sep 7, 2014

blimp said:
From what I see that's the so called wading plug. You're suppose to remove it when driving thru deep water for any length of time, so the water can drain out from around the clutch housing. It's the same as your oil sump plug. So I think someone unscrewed it and used it in the sump when the original was knackered. The oil is most likely leaking out around the crankshaft seal. If it's not too bad then I'd leave it so. You know what they say about Disco's if you don't see oil under it then it means there's none in it.

You're supposed to put it in when wading. If left in it needs to be removed periodically to prevent possible contamination of the clutch by engine/gearbox oil/hydraulic fluid.

Not have one in is not a problem unless wading.

Fluid dripping out will be engine oil from rear crank seal or gearbox oil from input shaft seal or fluid from clutch slave cylinder.......it's good to work out which

salesy300tdi · Sep 7, 2014

Thank you for your help.

Seffy · Sep 7, 2014

blimp said:
From what I see that's the so called wading plug. You're suppose to remove it when driving thru deep water for any length of time, so the water can drain out from around the clutch housing.

+1 for this being incorrect I'm afraid.

You plug the hole before entering water/mud to prevent crud getting in and causing damage. There is one on the clutch bell housing (as you pictured) and another on the timing belt housing.

As Blue says, you do unfortunately have a choice of three fluids creating drips there, and thankfully all three levels are fairly easily checked

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Leaks an prone to bits dropping off

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