300Tdi sump

[SteveGoodz]

Howdy folks,

Whilst checking over the motor today (looking for tell-tale signs of impending doom following my overheating episode last weekend) I decided to track down an annoying oil leak that I've had for a while. It's only annoying because SWMBO keeps complaining about the drips being left on the drive :P  Anyway, the oil is coming out between the sump bolts at the rear of the engine ~ slowly, but surely  :(

I was trying to decide if it's possible to remove the sump with the engine still in place and it looks like you can. Does anyone know if this can be done and do I need to remove anything else first? Am I right in thinking you use a liquid gasket on the sump?

Also, has anyone managed to replace the big end shells like this, or should I really be looking to remove the engine?

Cheers for any advice/suggestions  :)

[ben_haynes]

it is possible to do big ends in place but its a PITA, best to take engine out and work on it,

i had a customers 300 leaking from the back of the sump, i tightened the bolts up as they had worked there way loose, it has not come back yet (1 month),  finger tight makes them leak, check your are tight as this might be the cause,

[SteveGoodz]

it is possible to do big ends in place but its a PITA, best to take engine out and work on it,

i had a customers 300 leaking from the back of the sump, i tightened the bolts up as they had worked there way loose, it has not come back yet (1 month),  finger tight makes them leak, check your are tight as this might be the cause,

Hi Ben,

I've checked the bolts are tight ... they are. The flamin' leak is so small if 'er-in-doors wasn't moaning I'd leave it be.

The big ends was just a thought in the event that the sump is off I might as well do them if they need it ~ the engine has a bit of a knock when idling that goes away under load. Again it's not enough to warrant removing the engine to sort but if the sump was off anyway .....

Of course, the knock may not be the big ends but the noise kinda sounds like it is ... if you know what I mean  :D

[bilge rat]

pretty sure you can remove in place , think you may have to drop the rear s/arm and poss a/roll bar down. i did mine but the gearbox was out and the bell housing plate that goes between the box and back of the block was off ... alan....

[SteveGoodz]

pretty sure you can remove in place , think you may have to drop the rear s/arm and poss a/roll bar down. i did mine but the gearbox was out and the bell housing plate that goes between the box and back of the block was off ... alan....

Managed to speak to my tame mechanic today and he reckons the sump can be removed with engine in place. He's also offered me the use of his garage and tools on bank holiday Monday so looks like that's how I'm gonna be spending the day :-)

[Les Henson]

You can remove the sump and replace the big end shells fairly easily on a 300TDi engine. You will have to remove the oil pick-up/strainer, but this is just held on by 3 bolts. No4 big end is a bit awkward to do, but only becuse it's right at the back of the engine. The sump has no gasket - you have to use RTV sealant instead. Once the bolts are off, use a paint scraper to cut through the old sealant. If you try to just lever the sump pan off you will bend the lip of it.


Les.

[SteveGoodz]

You can remove the sump and replace the big end shells fairly easily on a 300TDi engine. You will have to remove the oil pick-up/strainer, but this is just held on by 3 bolts. No4 big end is a bit awkward to do, but only becuse it's right at the back of the engine. The sump has no gasket - you have to use RTV sealant instead. Once the bolts are off, use a paint scraper to cut through the old sealant. If you try to just lever the sump pan off you will bend the lip of it.


Les.

Cheers for the info Les. My mechanic mate has ordered in a set of shells (standard and undersize) for me on sale or return ~ he is good to me ~ so I'm set fair for a Monday spent under the motor  :D  :dance:

[stageonesimmo]

Did the sump 'gasket' on mine recently - you definitely have to remove (or at least drop down by undoing the 2 bushes) the anti-roll bar as you cant fit the sump out past it - one to watch out for is the strainer catching the bead of silicon as you put the  thing back in - if it scrapes too much off it'll leak again.

Not a bad job but very messy indeed.