Hi guys,

Upon removing the gearbox on my 2004 Ford Focus Petrol 1.8 in order to replace the clutch , I noticed a quantity of oil drip out of the bottom engine / gearbox joint.

Upon inspection , there was no trace of oil on the clutch , flywheel or the crankshaft seal , yet the side of the engine was wet with oil , not only on the area enclosed by the gearbox , but also right up the whole side of the engine , meaning I have an oil leak somewhere above the gearbox which is running down onto the engine / gearbox joint .
My question is , could this external oil leak have found its way past the joint and into the clutch housing ?
Secondly , Haynes state that part of the seal renewal proceeded involves removing the sump.
I don't doubt that it's necessary , but I was wondering why ?
Many thanks.

7 hours ago, Mark 1 said:

Hi guys,

Upon removing the gearbox on my 2004 Ford Focus Petrol 1.8 in order to replace the clutch , I noticed a quantity of oil drip out of the bottom engine / gearbox joint.

Upon inspection , there was no trace of oil on the clutch , flywheel or the crankshaft seal , yet the side of the engine was wet with oil , not only on the area enclosed by the gearbox , but also right up the whole side of the engine , meaning I have an oil leak somewhere above the gearbox which is running down onto the engine / gearbox joint .
My question is , could this external oil leak have found its way past the joint and into the clutch housing ?
Secondly , Haynes state that part of the seal renewal proceeded involves removing the sump.
I don't doubt that it's necessary , but I was wondering why ?
Many thanks.

Hi Mark, although I don't have an answer to your question I do have an oil leak so would be interested in any replies too.  Hopefully this bump will bring in a few...!

I am still undecided about whether to fit a new seal ! Any news and I'll update here !

In the meantime , good luck !

Which seal do you think is leaking?  The rocker gasket should be cheap and easy.  Or do you think it's the headgasket?

A minor oil leak on an old car isn't really worth repairing, unless it's likely to contaminate the clutch which sounds possible here?  It's also worth noting that oil leaks are a new MOT failure for this year, down to testers discretion but basically if it forms a pool on the floor while on the test ramp it's a failure.

"My question is , could this external oil leak have found its way past the joint and into the clutch housing ?"

it does not have a gasket there (as far as I know) so probably yes it could get through. And bear in mind when the engine is hot the oil will be thinner and can seep through more easily. Does it look like there is oil on the surface faces of the joint