Corrosion and leak

[fullwavebridge]

1.4 tdci 54 plate

Spotted a small patch under car when parked up.

I think its hydraulic fluid from clutch slave cylinder possibly ?

Inspected cover on end of gearbox and was all wet with corrosion / hence i suspected clutch fluid rather than oil.

Cannot work out where its coming from as the internal clutch slave cylinder is not that close or close enough.

Cleaned it all off last night, will whip battery off today and look from above, clean everything and see if i can see any fresh leak markings after a run. 

Been like this about a year, but fluid reseviour never drops. thought it was slave cylinder so i was going to whip box off replace slave (and clutch whilst in there)

Hardly any fluid around linkage area either, anyone had this or similar before ?

[fullwavebridge]

Well...  it appears to be natural corrosion on the gearbox end cover plate that has simply crept under the mating surfaces.

Removed gear / clutch linkage, and awkward cover, battery, battery box to inspect clutch slave cylinder hose etc and all was good.

had a good look around and i cannot seem to find a gasket, there wasn't one fitted either, just a silicone type mating compound.

Will use a sump sealing compound.

cleaned the cover surfaces, degreased and repainted - let it dry off tomorrow in the sun and refit.

Good job i caught this as there was only a cup full of gear oil, will empty it from the drain plug too before refitting, then refill gear oil via the upper filler plug.

Both mating surfaces require to be spotless (after removing the old sealing compound) using wire wool and degreased.

Glad it wasn't the clutch slave cylinder, and i don't have a dry gearbox. !