Oil getting to clutch?

Question

my 96 jetta seems to be leaking and the oil is getting inside the clutch. it doesnt happen often, but how do i find this leak that gets to my clutch? and it causes the clutch to slip when i step on the gas.

i know the clutch is not the problem, its new

Answer 1

if you are getting oil on and in your clutch it could have a hydraulic issue with the actuator or engine rear main seal or worse a front seal in your trans. all of which require you to remove the clutch.  

Answer 2

If you have oil on the clutch plate then you have an oil leak from the crankshaft seal and it either leaks or not! The only solution is to pull the gear box out and replace the seal,easy to do ,the worst is the time to pull the gear box out,If your clutch slips because of oil or badly installed then you have to pull the gearbox anyway,is the clutchplate installed in the right direction? Not a silly question as there are two sides to a clutchplate and you would be surprised at how many pros get it wrong

Answer 3

If you have a hydraulic clutch then its either that or the crankshaft's rear main oil seal.

Answer 4

If you hired a shop to put the clutch in; then they were responsible to offer you the option of fixing the leak while doing the clutch. My guess is that you or a friend put the clutch in. Which leads to a whole list of questions because 1) oil leaks do not came and go unless you run out of oil and 2) oil on a clutch is super rare because the flywheel protects it from the engine rear main seal and the input trans seal rarely leaks and has no pressure behind it. Did you have the flywheel professionally turned? If they ground too much step into it, the clutch will slip. Did you put in a new clutch? (reman is asking for trouble and used is only installed by people who absolutely love to do a job twice or three times). Did you put in the complete clutch package? (disc, pressure plate and T.O. brg?) Did you get the correct clutch for your car? Did you check the clutch slave cylinder to see if it leaks?  

Answer 5

The shaft which engages the clutch has an oil seal that is leaking.  You'll need to get that seal replaced, which means that the mechanic will have to remove the clutch plate.

Sorry, but if your new clutch is slipping that means it is soaked with oil and needs to be replaced.

Answer 6

first guess would be the rear main seal the leak may be small, now but can turn into a issue later.

But I would also check the cam cover gasket.

Basically degrease the engine(being careful to get as little degreaser into the clutch as possible) then drive for a few days then look to see where the leak is coming from(you will have to remove the inspection cover to see if it is the rear main).

gooodluck

Answer 7

theres probably an inspection plate at the bottom front of the gearbox, possibly bolted to the bottom of the motor.  if you take it off and rub your finger inside the box you'll probably get oil on your finger, most likely from the rear main.  strange that it wasn't checked when the clutch was replaced.