Oil leak slipping clutch?

[Rogg]

Hi all you oracles

I had a problem about 20,000 miles ago with the clutch slipping in 5th and 6th pulling quite sharply up hill when the engine was cold. This happened only once or twice about a week after a full service. I do about 25,000 a year country driving and tow a caravan ( well within the cars limits) However yesterday the clutch did the same thing after all this time and miles. I was towing last week with no problems whatsoever, the car having just had a full service. The clutch is original 101,000 miles now but I would say I am quite gentle with clutches. The one thing I am curious about though is there has always been a lot of oil around the engine, for at least the last 60,000 miles. I was told this is common with 130 sport engines, but the oil level on the dip stick is high in my opinion ( above the top kink)! could this be a possible factor with the clutch slipping ie somehow contaminating it due to being overfull? and can this do any other harm?

Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

[stevegrass777]

Well it could be that simple.
It's strange that this seems to happen every time you have a service.
I presume at the same place.
The top nick is already over full.
The real full mark is just underneath the top nick.
I don't know if this can put extra pressure on the rear crank seal and leak onto
the clutch........
you could drop the sump plug and let a bit out in a clean can and use it to top up as needed.

[Rogg]

Thanks for the reply Steve. It is always serviced at the same place and I was thinking that it may not be just a coincidence. It does not use any significant amount of oil at all! but as I said there is quite a lot particularly on the right hand side of the engine, and i cant see where it is coming from. The clutch has not slipped again since despite mimicking the exact circumstances as when it did the other day! So I will keep my fingers crossed for the time being, and will let some oil out to get it to the correct level.
Does anyone know what could happen if it is run for long periods with too much oil in?

Thanks

[Grimm]

Engine oil level is critical if you have a Catalytic Converter (never overfill).

Check with car level and can also use a syringe to remove excess.