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Johan_B



Member Since: 20 Sep 2024
Location: Gothenburg
Posts: 106

Sweden 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Tonga Green
Oil everywhere
Did a 2700 km trip over the last couple of days and drops of oil started to appear as soon as we parked. Under the hood it wasn’t so much and I believe it is the vacuum pump but can’t be sure.
Under the car though it is quite messy. The front side of the battery box is completely covered in oil. The radius arm to chassis bracket as well. From there and up to the water pump everything is covered.
Strangely it seems the engine oil level is about the same as before.
Am I right in assuming the vacuum pump? Is it likely the pump or the gasket?


Click image to enlarge



Click image to enlarge


Additionally the front diff is also oily which is probably a secondary leak from the pinion. I just had the prop shaft off, could I have upset anything by that?

Any advice is appreciated, we have another 2700 km to get home but are fairly stationary at the moment with a Ford dealer in town who should be able to get me spares for the engine.
Post #1070322 25th Jun 2025 9:24pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20886

United Kingdom 
I would consider cleaning it up with brake cleaner or similar, then look closely as to where the oil origin is coming from.

I’d imagine it probably is the gasket, and if so that is cheap.
You can literally unbolt it, replace the gasket, and then refit, there is torque settings in the WSM for the fixings there, you don’t need to unbolt the pipe attached to it unless you replace the actual pump. _\Hennessey|Venom| F5/___
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Post #1070323 25th Jun 2025 9:28pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8292

 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
a small amount of oil goes a long way and usually makes it look far worse.

as above clean it up and see how it goes.

Buy some spare oil, if its showing level and not dpf diluted then not too many concerns.

If its the gasket you can probably see it leak when ticking over when warm.

front prop change wont have damaged diff pinion oil seal. more likely a blocked breather, hot oil during the run pushed out as air couldnt get through axle breather. check breather Cheers

James
110 2010 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop
Post #1070343 26th Jun 2025 8:18am
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Johan_B



Member Since: 20 Sep 2024
Location: Gothenburg
Posts: 106

Sweden 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Tonga Green
Thanks to both of you, both for technical advise but just as much for moral support. Admittedly I was a bit stressed as I crawled out from beneath the Landy last night. It looks like a complete mess.
Cleaned up the area and drove to the Ford dealer, they had the gasket on shelf and a liter of correct spec oil. Back again I could see the oil on top of the gasket that was just cleaned. Hopefully this leak is sorted.
Will investigate the breather pipe as well.
Post #1070346 26th Jun 2025 10:19am
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Cragster69



Member Since: 15 Jun 2021
Location: Scotland
Posts: 235

Scotland 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Cairns Blue
I had a similar issue last year, fitted a new gasket, relatively cheap fix.

After replacing still had a leak, thought the gasket was damaged during fitting, but the vacuum pump had a hairline crack.

New pump and gasket needed.

Your pictures don't look as bad as mine so hopefully just a new gasket for you Thumbs Up

Oil loss was minimal, it looks worse because of the fan and air moving it and spreading over a large flat surface area. Craig.

“Don't believe everything you read on the internet.” ― Abraham Lincoln

www.scotgrc.co.uk
Post #1070347 26th Jun 2025 10:22am
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MatLandy



Member Since: 11 Sep 2020
Location: Paris
Posts: 202

France 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Zermatt Silver
Quote:
Am I right in assuming the vacuum pump? Is it likely the pump or the gasket?


Most probably the seal on the pump pulley shaft is failing (not the seal between the pump and engine block). LR issued bulletin LTB00177 for this. If this is confirmed to be your issue, then either change the pump for a new one, or dismantle it and change the seal as some have done with success (including me), see here : https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic70364...c983cc12b2

/Mat
Post #1070348 26th Jun 2025 10:22am
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Johan_B



Member Since: 20 Sep 2024
Location: Gothenburg
Posts: 106

Sweden 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Tonga Green
I had the seal behind the pulley fail on a previous Puma. That mess was on another level, to the point where oil made its way to the windscreen.
I will monitor for sure. I really like the fix with a new improved seal, if it comes to that I will give it a go.
Post #1070351 26th Jun 2025 10:32am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17823

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
A failed or failing shaft seal will nearly always result in the underside of the bonnet becoming covered in oil. A failed or failing gasket seems to cause a leak going downwards and not all over the bonnet.
Post #1070353 26th Jun 2025 11:06am
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MatLandy



Member Since: 11 Sep 2020
Location: Paris
Posts: 202

France 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Zermatt Silver
Zooming on the OP picture, there is a small oil pocket that can be seen on the pump, above the level of the gasket between the pump and engine. Only way for oil to get there to me is a shaft seal starting to fail and then oil thrown away with rotation of the pulley. I guess the seal will eventually fail completely in the future and the bonnet will be covered in oil, it’s just a matter of time.

Just my 2 cents. I can be wrong.


Click image to enlarge


Mat
Post #1070357 26th Jun 2025 1:38pm
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Johan_B



Member Since: 20 Sep 2024
Location: Gothenburg
Posts: 106

Sweden 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Tonga Green
Sadly MatLandy is probably right, the only other explanation to the continued leak is that I screwed up (which, when I think about it may have a higher probability still).
23Nm was a bit low for my torque wrench so I calibrated as best I could, at least it should be close and on the lower side.


Click image to enlarge


Five minutes of idling and it was still dry:


Click image to enlarge


But after a short trip it was all wet again.

Let’s hope the dealer can get hold of a pump and a new gasket. At the moment I can’t attempt to rebuild the old one but will keep it and do the rebuild later.
Post #1070389 26th Jun 2025 8:45pm
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