C5 II 2.2 6 speed manual leak

[Dommo]

Hi guys

I've recently bought a 2007 C5 II which has the DW12BTED4 engine and the 6 speed manual box.

There seems to be a fairly big leak coming from the engine/gearbox region, and the colour of the fluid is either red or orangey red - doesn't look light enough to be LDS but then again I'm not certain.

My first thought with a leak like this would be the crankshaft seal, but as it's reddy/orange it makes me think transmission fluid rather than engine oil. Does anyone have any suggestions? Are there known leak points on this 6 speed manual - I really don't know much about these boxes. I haven't managed to check the level of the gearbox oil but I will do when I can.

Thanks. Dom

[GiveMeABreak]

That sounds like LDS and possibly from the Steering Rack seals / Pinion Dommo as although driven separately from the accessories belt, the LDS fluid reservoir is shared between the systems. Try cleaning the area up and get somebody to turn the steering wheel lock to lock a couple of times and then see if you can see any fresh fluid near the area again.

[Paul-R]

I didn't think that the Mk 2 suffered from that affliction Marc.

When I purchased some EP75/80 gearbox oil that was red so possibly that? Could be tricky to find where it's coming from though as simply driving along will spread it out everywhere.

[GiveMeABreak]

I agree Paul, very rare on the MKII, it's going to be a process of elimination I guess. If you're not losing anything from the LDS tank, that's good news!

[Dommo]

Thank you for the replies guys, I'm fairly certain it isn't the steering rack because the oil is all over the engine and gearbox, it looks to be coming from the bellhousing but I can't be sure - what I have done yesterday is clean off the oil with engine degreaser, and I'm hoping to see where the leak comes from now it's all relatively clean under there.

It's hard to say whether my LDS level has dropped as I recently changed an LDS steering pipe at the front of the car - as far as I can tell this is not related to the leak all over the engine.

I'll keep you all posted.