Escaping oil?

noquarterMember

Hi there, need your help. Bought my first Pantera in September, a stock 73. Engine and transaxle looked and were supposed to be stock, clutch was new, nice red colour through the square hole on top of the gearbox, near the engine.
The concern is that now after my first real trip, a black oillike substance is coming out of that whole. It looks like oil, but when I touch it, it is mostly powderlike with very little liquid in it. Is it normal for a new clutch? Could it be oil from leaking engine or transaxle (just changed oil on both so oil is nice and clear brown)? If oil leaked into the clutch area, wouldn't it just drip off the bottom of the car?
Do I have a big issue here or not? The clutch works fine.

3/10/078:49 AM

❤️ 0

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

lmguyMember

I am guessing the "hole" you are referrring to is rectangular in shape and on top. Approximately the size of a business card (2 inches by 3.5 inches)...if so then more than likey the substance is clutch dust from normal wear of the clutch disk. Brakes will create a similiar dust and deposit the redue on the wheels.

3/10/0712:57 PM

❤️ 0

marlinjackThe Machinist #5723 AMARGOSA MACHINE 'Running on Empty- Middle of Nowhere'

...if you have oil mixed with the dust; it can only be from the ZF front seal! It will NOT be from the engine rear main seal, As the engine rear seal has the steel bulkhead with a felt 'O' ring keeping any leaked oil there, from ever reaching the clutch. Expect your 'New' Mcloud or Ram (Red color) clutch to start slipping Next!...

3/10/071:50 PM

❤️ 0

pantera1887Member

The front of the ZF has an oil slinger in front of the seal that pushes any leaking gear lube back to the ZF so it can drain out a small hole in the part that covers the ZF main shaft. Usually the gear lube cannot make its way to the clutch and runs out the bottom vents in the bell housing. You can see the slinger in these photos http://www.panteraplace.com/page151.htm .

Mike

3/10/072:01 PM

❤️ 0

noquarterMember

Thanks everyone, great forum. After laying awake all night I think it's clutchmaterial and maybe water. We had very damp winter, I still have a little water in my 4 small instruments. If the clutch starts slipping, I'll worry about it again.

3/10/0710:46 PM

❤️ 0

Skip to main content

Membership Required

Remove From Your Block List

Manage Follow Preferences

Block

Please wait...