So I suspect my sump gasket to be the source of an oil leak on my newly purchased 2004 X-type. I have searched the forum and see this is a fairly common problem. I have read every post I could find related to this issue, and see there is an obvious problem with THAT last bolt. I can't find any information in any of the threads I have read through however as to what model(s) of X-type this is a problem on.

Is this last bolt a problem right across the board, as in Petrol / Diesel / Manual / Automatic / AWD /FWD ??

Mine is the 2 litre diesel, with manual transmission, (Front wheel drive) and looking at a picture of the replacement sump gasket for mine, it looks smaller and a different shape to the (petrol?) ones that people seem to have posted pictures of on the related threads here.

Any help or pointing in the right direction appreciated

 

The diesel engine sump/oil pan has no significant similarities to the petrol one!

The good news is that there are no 'hidden' bolts - mainly because there's no transfer box to get in the way! Removal and replacement are straightforward.

The (maybe?) bad news is that there is no sump gasket. The complete sump has to be replaced - not resealed - and the seal is made with a 3 mm bead of sealant. Within 5 mins of applying sealant, bolts should all be tightened to 7 Nm and then all should be further tightened to 14Nm

 

Thanks astromorg - thats a big relief - I think I was trawling through page after page of issues with this pesky 15th bolt, and my heart was sinking, I couldn't find anything diesel specific.

Interesting why you would have to replace the whole sump pan - can it not just be re-sealed? I don't quite understand that. To be perfectly honest, I don't even know it is the sump leaking yet, I've only had the car 2 days, and had a "lazy look" down the sides of the engine bay with a torch and cant see anything leaking high up and dripping down, so just had a look for common oil leak issues, and 2+2 seemed to point to the sump.

I'll pull the plastic belly pan off at the weekend and try and get my pressure washer up in there and find exactly where it is coming from.