Bellhousing DS system - small hole in housing?

[finmac]

Car has a bellhousing DS catch tank. When changing the oil recently I noticed a small "hole" in the housing (in front of the tank area) in the flywheel area. This seemed to be choked with crud, so I poked it clear with a screwdriver and for my trouble am now getting an occasional drip of oil out of it!

 

It looks like it should be there, i.e. a drilled hole but unsure as to why (unless its for clearing any crud that gets into the flywheel area? HELP/advice required please!!

 

cheers

[ECR]

A hole in the bottom of the bellhousing is normal. If the drip persists then you probably have a small leak around the gearbox selector rod (it's at 12 o clock). This is not unusual but needs the engine removing and the bellhousing splitting from the box and a new gasket with a smear of silicone in the rod area to fix it. If it's only an occasional drip I wouldn't worry about it till you next remove the engine (but check the oil level in the box more than you usually would)

[finmac]

Thanks Roger, reassuring to know the hole is "normal"!

 

However if I am reading your reply correctly, it seems to indicate that its likely to be gear box oil thats leaking? This is definitely engine oil thats dripping.

[ECR]

Crankshaft oil seal then .....

[Grubbster]

Where abouts is this hole? can you post a photo? My DS tank bellhousing is out of the car at the moment so I can have a look at mine to compare if you like.

[finmac]

Yes I fear it may the crankshaft oil seal.... grrr. I take it that has to be an engine out job, i.e. it couldnt be changed by taking the box out and having the car on a ramp?

 

The hole is in front of the catch tank drain hatch, under the bellhousing, right at the bottom. Kind of hard to photgraph as its right under the car!