Car Leaking Oil: How a Land Rover Oil Leak Was Fixed Early

Everything looked normal just a few weeks before.

After a dealer health check, Mrs P’s Land Rover Discovery Sport was given a clean bill of health and had no signs of a problem.

However, things quickly changed. She noticed a small oil stain on her driveway, a telltale sign of her car leaking oil.

Oil leaks can quickly worsen, as oil loss increases friction and heat across vital components and can leave you with large repair bills – which is something you want to avoid, right?

When Mrs P brought her Land Rover to Roade Main Garage, Northampton, for its scheduled service, she mentioned the oil leak to our team. Our experts treated it as a priority, ensuring it was identified and corrected before it could lead to further damage.

Our Land Rover experts had a clear objective: diagnose the cause, repair the fault, and protect the vehicle’s long-term reliability.

Listening First: Uncovering the Cause of the Land Rover Oil Leak

Every reliable diagnosis starts by listening to the customer.

Mrs P explained when she noticed the oil on her driveway and how often it appeared. Those details help narrow down possible causes before we even touch the vehicle.

An initial visual check confirmed a light residue of oil around the lower transmission, indicating an active leak but not its exact source.

We connected our Land Rover diagnostic tool and scanned for stored fault codes. When no faults appeared, our technicians went beyond data testing and began a thorough inspection of the vehicle’s parts.

The Discovery Sport’s underside was cleaned of oil residue to create a clear baseline for tracing the source of any fresh oil leaks. Our team checked the transfer box oil level, topped it up, and took the vehicle on a controlled road test to reproduce the fault.

Upon return to our garage, new oil traces were visible, confirming the leak was active and pointing us toward the next step in diagnosis.

As independent Land Rover experts, our technicians use dealer-level diagnostic data and equipment, so you always get dealership-level care but at a better value. You’ll even get a faster turnaround time with us, too. 

Tracing the Source: Land Rover Oil Leak 

After the road test, fresh oil appeared around the transfer box, also referred to as the Power Transfer Unit (PTU). This key component distributes drive to the rear wheels during all-wheel-drive use.

By consulting Land Rover’s technical information, our technicians confirmed that oil leaks in this area are occasionally seen on Discovery Sport models. They’re often caused by wear to the input seal and sleeve at the gearbox junction, leading to a car leaking oil problem.

To confirm this, the PTU was removed for a closer look.

Upon a closer inspection, the cause of the Land Rover oil leak was apparent:

• The input seal had split.
• The sleeve surface it runs against showed wear and scoring.

Together, these issues created a path for oil to leak.

As the Land Rover PTU only contains a small amount of oil, a slow leak can result in rapid oil loss while causing expensive component damage. Fortunately, Mrs P mentioned the leak when booking her Land Rover service, which meant it was resolved before any costly damage occurred.

Fixing the Oil Leak: Precision at Every Step

Before the repair began, our team contacted Mrs P to explain the findings and confirm the right approach for fixing her Land Rover Discovery Sport’s oil leak.

At Roade Main Garage, Northampton, we believe in honesty and transparency at every stage. No repair begins until it has been fully discussed and approved. You’re always in complete control of the situation.

Once authorised, our technicians transitioned from diagnosis to repair. Fixing a Land Rover PTU leak demands accuracy, proper alignment, and strict adherence to manufacturer tolerances.

The repair process included:

• Recording alignment: Before any disassembly, the PTU’s position in relation to the gearbox was carefully documented. Maintaining this original geometry ensures the new seal fits perfectly once reinstalled.
• Inspecting all surfaces: Each sealing face, bearing, and internal surface was closely examined for wear, corrosion, or scoring. Even the slightest imperfection can affect the integrity of a new seal.
• Installing genuine Land Rover components: We fitted an original Land Rover seal and sleeve kit, replacing both parts to guarantee a complete seal and prevent the issue from returning.
• Setting precise tolerances: Using dedicated Land Rover installer tools, the new seal and sleeve were fitted to the exact depth and position specified by the manufacturer. These tolerances are essential for maintaining oil pressure and long-term reliability.
• Renewing single-use fasteners: All torque-to-yield bolts, circlips, and one-time-use fittings were replaced and torqued to specification in sequence, ensuring consistent clamping pressure throughout the assembly.
• Refilling and testing: Once reassembled, the PTU was refilled with the correct Land Rover-approved oil. The levels were verified, and the area was checked carefully to confirm no seepage was present.
• Final quality assurance: The complete assembly was cleaned, visually inspected, and tested before the Discovery Sport returned to the road.

Every stage of this process matters. It’s the care and precision behind each step that ensure the repair performs reliably long into the future.

Testing and Validation: Confirming the Land Rover Oil Leak Repair

Once the PTU was rebuilt, our technicians performed a comprehensive quality-control process, followed by an extended test drive to confirm normal operation under load.

Our Land Rover experts found the following:

• No oil leaks.
• No oil residue.
• No fault codes.

Mrs P’s Land Rover Discovery Sport ran smoothly and quietly, and the car leaking oil issue was resolved.

That kind of assurance doesn’t happen by chance; it comes from a disciplined process and careful verification at every stage. Each check is completed and recorded before the next begins, ensuring every part of the repair meets specification. 

Skipping even a single step might save minutes but risks undoing hours of precise work later.

After testing, we completed the final Land Rover service checks. The Discovery Sport passed all points of inspection and was returned to Mrs P, performing flawlessly and without an oil leak problem.

Delivering More Than a Repair: Confidence Built on Clarity

When Mrs P arrived to collect her Land Rover Discovery Sport, we showed her the worn components that had been replaced and explained exactly how they caused the leak.

At Roade Main Garage, Northampton, openness is part of our process, helping you understand the issue and the repair process.

Mrs P could see that the car leaking oil fault had been resolved completely and that her Land Rover was once again performing as intended. She was pleased that the service was finished sooner than the main dealership could offer, with every stage documented, verified, and completed to manufacturer standards.

Solve your Land Rover Oil Leak at Roade Main Garage, Northampton

If you’ve noticed an oil leak, don’t take chances. If ignored, a car leaking oil can lead to serious component damage, which can be costly.

At Roade Main Garage, Northampton, our technicians specialise in identifying the exact cause of Land Rover oil leaks and carrying out the correct repair the first time. We combine years of Land Rover experience with genuine parts, approved lubricants, and the same diagnostic tools and technical data used by main dealerships. You’ll receive dealer-level precision with the personal service and honest value of a trusted independent garage.

That’s why drivers across Northampton, Milton Keynes, and the surrounding areas rely on us for dependable repairs and transparent care.

Why drivers choose Roade Main Garage:

• Genuine Land Rover parts and fluids
• Dealer-level diagnostic equipment
• 12-month parts and labour guarantee
• Courtesy car options available

Join the {{review-count}} customers who’ve rated us {{average-rating}} stars for quality repairs and great value.

Whether it’s a car leaking oil, a scheduled service, or any Land Rover repair, trust Roade Main Garage, Northampton for precision results every time.

Call 01604 862262 today to book your Land Rover inspection and protect your vehicle from damage.