oily mist on fly wheel ?

[jpliddy]

hi all i have noticed a bit of clear oily mist on the flywheel of my 940 tdi auto 248000 miles now is this a concern as I'm sure i have not seen it before its not wet just a bit of discoluer its only on the inner drum so to speak it looks clear so I'm looking for diesel oil or auto transmission oil i might be wrong with this . any one know what it could be or leading up to
regards jim

[Laird Scooby]

You need to wipe some of it off with a clean white tissue Jim to see what colour it is. Could be anything from a leaky cam/rocker gasket, crank seal, torque converter or ATF pipe, the first two being engine oil and the second ATF but it could even be a diseasel leak from one of the spill pipes maybe or perhaps even a leaky injector pipe.

It may even be a historic spillage from having the fuel filter changed and diesel has seeped through between the block and bellhousing and left a very fine mist which is now visible because it's dirty.

Until you know what the fluid is you're just guessing (and/or worrying) what it might be.

[jpliddy]

thanks for your thoughts dave I'm thinking it may be a very slight ATF leak somewhere as its clear and no smell od diesel oil just hoping it does not go pop and a major leak regards jim

[Laird Scooby]

Clear with no smell?

Sounds like old diesel to me Jim, diesel itself is usually nearly clear and it loses its smell if it's old. Also given it's a very thin film of whatever, a small drop could have been spread very thin by centrifugal force so once again, pointing to a historic spillage from changing the fuel filter which if i recall right, is above and to the right of the back of the engine on the D24 - going from memory from a long way back though!

I am a bit baffled about something though. You say it's on the flywheel? Can you describe or better still put a photo up of where exactly it is?
It could be i'm being overly-picky over something as simple as a name but i'm wondering if we're talking about the same component and if so how did it come to your attention in the first place!

[jpliddy]

hi dave one of the leak of pipes had a leak a while ago but i did not notice the
fly wheel but it could be as the leak was on no 4 injector from the front the fly wheel is right at the back so it could be . defiantly no leak on fuel filter so will see how it goes thanks again for your input
regards jim

[cheshired5]

Is the flywheel even visible without some kind of dismantling?

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by jpliddy

hi dave one of the leak of pipes had a leak a while ago but i did not notice the
fly wheel but it could be as the leak was on no 4 injector from the front the fly wheel is right at the back so it could be . defiantly no leak on fuel filter so will see how it goes thanks again for your input
regards jim

Would be unusual for a leak from #4 spill-pipe to reach back as far as the flywheel Jim. Usually when the fuel filter is changed, the new one is filled up with fresh diesel to minimise the bleeding process and help protect the pump. That's common practice when changing diesel fuel filters, saves a lot of time as well!
If at some point in the past, during a filter change some of the fresh diesel was spilled from the new filter before it was fitted, it could cause this.

However i'm still concerned about the flywheel :

Originally Posted by cheshired5

Is the flywheel even visible without some kind of dismantling?

As he rightly points out, the "flywheel" isn't visible unless you dismantle at least something. I say "flywheel" as more correctly, autos have drive plates which the torque converter is bolted to.

As such, the big question is, do you really mean the flywheel/driveplate or something else? That's why i asked for the pic.

[jpliddy]

hi all
the area is inside the bell housing where the timing set up is taken from I'm a carpenter so my knowledge is limited in what are engine parts are called . dave can i send you a photo via email to show others who might have a option on this
jimliddy1@gmail.com is mine
regards jim

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by jpliddy

hi all
the area is inside the bell housing where the timing set up is taken from I'm a carpenter so my knowledge is limited in what are engine parts are called . dave can i send you a photo via email to show others who might have a option on this
jimliddy1@gmail.com is mine
regards jim

Have emailed you Jim.

[jpliddy]

hi thanks dave
have sent you a photo of a leak at auto box /proshaft joint oil on under floor pan . been like this for ages .another job on the growing list!