Volvo MS2-L Gearbox oil leak

[fudge]

My Volvo MS2-L gearbox fitted to a Volvo MD22-P has steadily leaked for the last two years. To date it has proved little more than irksome and requiring a regular clean of the engine bilge and regular topping although the oil loss rate is now becoming alarming. Before I whip the whole thing out for a rebuild; does anyone have any experience of a similar problem? Are there any known quick fixes for this problem?

 

[HermanD]

Where does it leak?

 

[fudge]

Heavens only knows, I have tried to locate the leak but it only leaks when running and it is impossible to get under the gearbox to look when the engine is running.

 

[HermanD]

There is one temporarly trick, if hou have to run for a long time, to lower the leakage when underway. After say 1/2 hour running put the gear free, and lift slowly the oildipstick, you hear ''pssst. '' The airpressure (from heating up) escapes from the closed systeem, the leakage goes then slower. Can't you look with a mirror on a stick under the gearbox?

 

[Bilgediver]

On some Volvo gearboxes the usual source of leaks is the rear oil seal which can be quite large and bearing on the OD of the coupling.

It is sometimes possible to change without removing the gearbox and in fact some folk have got away by hooking it out with a home made tool then cutting it to remove it from over the shaft so as not to disconnect.

This seal will of course cost 4 times as much from Volve as from a bearing supplier.

Sometimes when this seal leaks you can see traces of oil on the coupling OD.

 

[kspirit53]

I had a similar problem, albeit on a 2020. The problem was the rubber "O" ring seal to the combined dip stick/filler cap which was broken yet still in place. A new seal (80p) cured the leak. Worth a look!

 

[chamac]

Its an easy job to remove the gearbox. I would mark the position of the shaft before removal. They are simple enough to work on. Most of the seals and bearings can be bought from a local bearing supplier. They are mostly standard seals and bearings. V£$€o ones are about 5 times the price. They are exactly the same part rebagged.