The Dark Wob

I'm referring to the oil sump on the block that the gasket is expensive for not the gearbox,sorry for confusion. The sump is weeping a little and get hot oil smell as oil gets on the exhaust. The gearbox sump will be removed and a new filter and gasket will be use for the gearbox,not gasket sealant. The reasoning behind swapping the pan for one with a drain is a matter of convenience as it can be rather messy with a gearbox full of oil. I don't have a suction pump either but it may be something to consider for getting atf out.

From what I've heard they are damn good to save crawling around on the floor etc, probably very handy for you considering I've seen you try to get up again.

I did have one but it was lent out and broken. I don't do much repairs these days but I'm considering a wheeled stool for when I get another bike

Aye I'll get one of them when the bike lift I'm getting turns up.

I thought it was your bike that wouldn't start not that lasses? Did you not open a door for her or something?

Fuck knows, they're all mental.

Been in the garage today for an oil change. Sump off and sealant reapplied,no gasket on it before just sealant. Spoken to the motor factors who gave him a quote of 40 odd quid for sump gasket and apparently it wasn't the sump gasket they quoted as that has to use sealant.....
The gasket was for higher up as there is a sort of spacer between crank and sump which has the baffle plate and oil pick up on it to allow the shallow sump to fit over the crank and bottom end gubbins.
Should stop looking around the car when it's in the air though as found soot mid way up the flexi and the other day when we did the washer pump found front pads are getting low but that's a given with autos anyways.

That 'spacer' sounds like the 'ladder block' as LR/Rover/MG call it. In the case of Freelanders & MGFs it's where the head studs or bolts go into to clamp the ali block. No idea if it's the same on yours.

It's got a technical name no doubt but it's eluding me! No head bolts through it. It's bolted to the bottom if block and some internal bolts holding baffle up

Girdle?