BW65 breather pipe

[kemp42]

Have recently (200 miles ago) had a BW65 fitted because of constant leaks in my original '35'. Was assured this would be the answer to my leak problems so you can imagine my annoyance to have the 65 start leaking. Can see the fluid coming from the base of the breather pipe so it's either the plastic tie-tag holding the breather pipe is not tight enough or it's coming from the base of the breather 'stub' ? Can't see from peering up from under, or even get at it, so wondering if the breather 'stub' can leak. Can anyone tell me how the breather 'stub' is fixed to the autobox - does it screw in ?. I see on Rimmer's site that there is an 'o' ring involved so I assume it screws in ?.
Any help appreciated

Ian (MRO528L '73)

[GTJones]

Hi Ian

Got my old BW65 box in the garage so will dig it out from the back and have a look this weekend, will let you know about the breather pipe.

Gary

[martin]

Hi Ian, the 35 leaked because the torque converter non-return valve got old and gave up, I suspect the 65 is the same. Are you losing much fluid or is it just an annoying drip ? Martin.

[kemp42]

BW65 breather

Thanks Gary - look forward to the info.

Hi Martin - a lot once it starts, which is several days after 'last use'. Have a drip tray under it. It really is annoying because I only changed it because I was told '65's didn't leak - were of a different design, etc. and this was a recon unit that hadn't done too many miles since'. It was obtained by and fitted by Stagtech International at the end of March and has done about 250 miles since.
I'm going run up the engine and warm her up to top up the ATF today, clean off the drips and see just how long it takes to start - then I will know how frequently I need to start the engine to pump the stuff back up into the TC.
Getting to the point where I think I will be parting with the car soon - shame because it's in fairly good nick - was a late 90's restoration - and get myself something that doesn't have a BW auto box.
Ian

[kemp42]

Breather showing 'filler' around breather stub pipe.jpgBreather stub and pipe.jpg

This is the breather stub and it looks like there could be some 'filler' around the neck of the stub ?. Picked a bit off with my nail and it seemed a bit 'rubberyish' ??
Warmed her up and have now topped up to the 'upper cold' mark on the dipstick. Will see just how many days it is before she starts dripping again.
Oh for a vehicle hoist - it's no fun any more getting under these things when you are 70 !
Ian

[martin]

Did they fit a new torque converter at the time of the new box ? It's the T.C. that leaks. Martin.

[kemp42]

I assumed a TC came with the 65 - Arthur had told me the problem with the 35 would be the TC dumping into the box. Would the TC from my '35' have fitted the '65' they put in ? If it does then perhaps this is what they did. I suppose I may have to have the whole thing out again and have the TC fixed ? It's all proving to be an expensive mistake - buying the car that is !
Ian

[martin]

I assumed a TC came with the 65 - Arthur had told me the problem with the 35 would be the TC dumping into the box. Would the TC from my '35' have fitted the '65' they put in ? If it does then perhaps this is what they did. I suppose I may have to have the whole thing out again and have the TC fixed ? It's all proving to be an expensive mistake - buying the car that is !
Ian

Oh dear Ian, that does sound a bit depressing, surely not because of an annoying leak ? Most old cars do to some extent, only moderns don't, and they're all without character ! You'd miss the smiles and nice comments. Martin.

[mikethemechanic]

don't know if this helps but--35 and 65 boxes generally dont leak if they do it is usual places which dont seem to be your problem so!! the breather pipe copnnects to box with plastic connector sealed with 'o' ring its a push in fit with two tags to hold it in position-the pipe should be a good fit and secured with a small clip (not tie) the pipe then runs from top of box to all way round servo.in same area are cross shaft seal and oil cooler pipe so best to jack back up drop box cross member to gain some ? acces dry everythng and leave to see where drip is from,note convertor can drain back to box but is usually very slow due to route it has to take and dont forget it can only half drain and also the box is designed to hold the slow draining oil

[DJT]

Have you contacted Arthur at Stagtech? As it has only done 200 miles, he should have some interest in it.

Dave

[kemp42]

'the breather pipe copnnects to box with plastic connector sealed with 'o' ring its a push in fit with two tags to hold it in position-the pipe should be a good fit and secured with a small clip (not tie)' - thanks for this info mikethemechanic.

This is a worry - perhaps they are not there and perhaps that is why there is some 'goo' around the top - would these 'tags' be visible or should I be able to feel them ?

Having cleaned it yesterday, I'm now checking regularly to pin down if it is getting past the breather stub o-ring or whether it is from the rubber breather pipe because it's not clipped on tight enough. Nothing there this morning EXCEPT a drip from the front of the sump cover - it's weeping through the gasket !. Tightened up the bolts - they all moved perhaps 1/2 turn but I suspect a new gasket may be required because this is the second time I have done this.

If I can determine whether it is the stub pipe leaking or just the rubber breather pipe that fits to it, I can decide what to do - problem is access as you all know. If it's just the latter I'll take it to a garage with a hoist to have the tie replaced with a clip - I simply can't get in there to do that. If it's the former, I'll get on to Arthur again - he is aware it's leaking but it's a long way to Stagtech from Lockerbie and I don't want to have to fork out even more !
Ian

[kemp42]

Well, seem to have pinned the main leak down to the breather pipe being loose on the breather stup pipe. The plastic tie-tag clip could be rotated around the pipe so clearly not tightened/checked by Stagtech. Managed to get another tie-tag on to it fairly tight and no leak from there now (touch wood!). Next step will be to take it to a garage and get it up on a hoist to have a proper metal clip fitted
Still getting weeping from the baseplate gasket - can't tighten anymore. It's from the rear (not front as earlier mentioned - was disoriented whilst on back under car!) so will change this over the winter. Anyone got any useful tips on this - should I use gasket 'goo' on one or both sides of the gasket, or none at all ??
Ian

[milothedog]

Well, seem to have pinned the main leak down to the breather pipe being loose on the breather stup pipe. The plastic tie-tag clip could be rotated around the pipe so clearly not tightened/checked by Stagtech. Managed to get another tie-tag on to it fairly tight and no leak from there now (touch wood!). Next step will be to take it to a garage and get it up on a hoist to have a proper metal clip fitted
Still getting weeping from the baseplate gasket - can't tighten anymore. It's from the rear (not front as earlier mentioned - was disoriented whilst on back under car!) so will change this over the winter. Anyone got any useful tips on this - should I use gasket 'goo' on one or both sides of the gasket, or none at all ??
Ian

Hi Ian,

Don't use any sealant because of the risk of contamination of the gearbox, the last thing you need is a stray piece of silicon in there and finding it's way in to the valve block.

Ian.

[kemp42]

Thanks Ian. Didn't think of that. Have just ordered a gasket from E J Ward so one fine day soon......... Interestingly it seems to weep more overnight than during the day ??? Temperature....atmospheric pressure........viscosity ?? Or does it think if it drips in the dark I won't notice !!!
Ian