Defects From The Dealer

[pampoen]

I am in a bit of a quandary at the moment, I thought I might present the situation to you guys to see if I am being a PITA . So before I continue I am super happy with my bakkie, over all it is in excellent shape and recently took us over 4000km to the Transkie and back. I recently bought the vehicle from a reputable dealership in Somerset West near the mall, I brought the vehicle home and was inspecting my bakkie again( I had crawled underneath before at the dealership) I was a bit ticked to discover what looked like a rear main leak.



Now before I carry on I have to say that the dealership was willing to come to the party, even after we went over the 4000km warrantee on any breakages etc and also before the trip they were willing to replace two shocks after a tyre specialist discovered that they were shot. So I brought the vehicle to them on Tuesday and they sent it to a popular well known Hyundai mechanic who is RMI registered, the vehicle went in and came out on Wednesday, I phoned this mechanic and he tells me that the box is not leaking oil,in fact he ran a cloth over the area and he can find no leaks at all. Now here is my question to you. If that wet patch is not an oil leak THEN WHAT THE HECK IT IT!!!! He thought it could be seepage from the aircon but I do see that if the vehicle is sitting for a while the leak is still there. And if it is a slight sweat surely that can only mean that it will get worse? Also now I notice that the tranfer box area in the second picture also looks like it is sweating quite badly. Am I being pedantic? A pain in the A**? Or would this trouble you?

[JohanM]

Luke, I think if you look closely and this will not make any sense for many, but the Front Prop shaft universals are clearly visible in that "oily" areas.

I would have it checked out, and then also if they say no fault, you can try and clean that off with a strong de greaser. I think it is the propshaft Uj's that are spatting grease in the area and then over time it does that. My Prado looked like that underneath for 30000 km's while I had it, and it never changed really a lot and I left it like that.

Go check similar vehicles like yours and see, you most likely will find they have the same stains.

[Mud Dog]

Johan, sorry to disagree but I seriously doubt that's spin-off from the uni's. The locations and patterns by my observation clearly show sweating. There is to my mind also no way that is air-con related.

I wouldn't be happy with it either ... the one between the box and X-fer case is sweating badly but I would be more concerned about the rear crank seal and the spigot shaft seal at the gearbox.

Since you're past the warranty mileage, the dealer is not legally obligated but they might just come to the party given their helpfulness so far. You have nothing to loose by going back to the dealership and expressing your concerns and disappointment, who knows, you might just get lucky.

[Tim86]

It's a pity this wasn't noted upon purchase. Judging by the slick undercarriage it seems that the vehicle hasn't been abused, taken on heavy and dirty off road tracks and therefore not touched/cleaned underneath since new.

I would only really start to worry once you start seeing the shiny film of escaped oil, next step drips. The little patch at the bellhousing drain point may be something small like melted excess grease lubricant from the release bearing assembly that was flung around and flowed downwards when everything got really really hot, or a small amount of oil from back in the day when the main seal was wearing in (then the patch has been there for years unchanged). Also have a look down the top of the motor at the back for any leaks. I had something similar where the half moon rubber at the back of the 22R tappet cover had hardened and was leaking oil all the way down to the bellhousing drain.

As for the transfer gasket similar scenario - its a paper gasket so may have allowed some seepage before expanding and fully sealing up back in the day.

I would come to an agreement with the dealership that you will monitor it over an agreed period with comprehensive photographic evidence of any progressions to prove there is a problem, unless they are willing to sort the whole thing out for you one time!

At 180k km's you'll be popping a new clutch in soon (if not done already) and can fully assess the scenario then if the leaks haven't already started in earnest.

[pampoen]

Thanks for all the advice gents all much appreciated!!!

[pampoen]

It's a pity this wasn't noted upon purchase. Judging by the slick undercarriage it seems that the vehicle hasn't been abused, taken on heavy and dirty off road tracks and therefore not touched/cleaned underneath since new.

I would only really start to worry once you start seeing the shiny film of escaped oil, next step drips. The little patch at the bellhousing drain point may be something small like melted excess grease lubricant from the release bearing assembly that was flung around and flowed downwards when everything got really really hot, or a small amount of oil from back in the day when the main seal was wearing in (then the patch has been there for years unchanged). Also have a look down the top of the motor at the back for any leaks. I had something similar where the half moon rubber at the back of the 22R tappet cover had hardened and was leaking oil all the way down to the bellhousing drain.

As for the transfer gasket similar scenario - its a paper gasket so may have allowed some seepage before expanding and fully sealing up back in the day.

I would come to an agreement with the dealership that you will monitor it over an agreed period with comprehensive photographic evidence of any progressions to prove there is a problem, unless they are willing to sort the whole thing out for you one time!

At 180k km's you'll be popping a new clutch in soon (if not done already) and can fully assess the scenario then if the leaks haven't already started in earnest.

Solid advice there!! I think that will be the step forward.