Oil everywhere

[lancyman]

Hi all,

Just back from a trip away. On the way back the van started to struggle shifting up gear. When I got home I Checked under the van. I found oil sprayed mainly under the drivers side wheel arch, and all the way along the passenger's side. In short anyone have any ideas what this might be?

Thanks.

[g8dhe]

If its the front have you checked the ATF oil cooler under the main section of the radiator ?

[lancyman]

No but I'll have a look. I had the radiator replaced a couple of months ago. Thanks.

[mikeWalsall]

Like as said .. sounds like the transmission fluid cooler pipes rotted through..

Awkward job to do as the complete pipes are about five foot long .. easier (and a lot cheaper) to cut out the bad steel pipe and 'splice' some hydraulic / oil resistant 'rubber' pipe in with jubilee clips ..

[Cab-ova pete]

That's a downer but on the other hand think of the expense saved on the under-sealing? sorry for joking but that's what I've been doing all week after work.

[lancyman]

Ha ha thought same myself

[Diplomat]

Doesn't sound like the right area for it to be something simple like the filter working loose.

That radiator replacement sounds like a likely cause. May just need a tighten up. Fingers crossed it's not the pipes!


Frank

[lancyman]

Well folks it's not the pipes phew!! My usual mechanic spotted a leak at the bottom of the radiator.
Driving had sprayed the oil all over the underside of the van. Replacement rad on the way.
Many thanks to Ian for this, very good service.

[lancyman]

Update. The van is at the garage and the rad is in. I have given mechanic bleeding instructions.
He is reporting that their is not oil in the system from th radiator failing. Saying it may
appear in the header as it works through the system. Does this sound right? Anyone had a similar
Problem. He suggested we may need to clear the system again in the near future or
take the coolant out of the header and top it up again. I'm worried about this and can't help
thinking this is the beginning of the end for my van. Thoughts welcome.

[lancyman]

Well as an update, should you be interested, I drove the van 30 odd miles this morning.
I kept an eye on the temperature alarm and it showed roughly the same range as
before the radiator went. The van seemed to be running ok and the gears are shifting
fine. I am going to drive her for the rest of the week and see how we go. The mechanic
is then suggesting another flush and bleed.

[Bob]

Sounds good.

[Northern Bongolow]

keep the old rad if you can, we can chop it up and see whats happened.

[lancyman]

I have the old one in my garage. Ian is going to collect it from me.

[Ian]

keep the old rad if you can, we can chop it up and see whats happened.

I'm picking it up when I next visit my dad. I suspect it got crushed in the back of the TNT truck.

[lancyman]

Hi Ian. Just spoken to Ady and I'm taking the radiator
over to him. I am sure he will let you know what's gone on. Still be nice to see when you over this way. Thanks again for your help.