A few years ago the crankshaft front (pully end) oil seal started to leak a bit. Last summer when getting a timing belt change I also got a new oil seal fitted, but the leak continued 
I examined the old seal and it looked in quite a good condition so I started checking various forums about the issue.
I found there was a consensus of opinion that many 2.8 engines started leaking because the 5W-30 Synthetic oil recommended for the later X250 (2007 onwards) was being used when older X244 (pre-2007) models were being serviced, instead of the 10W-40 Semi-synthetic recommended for those engines.
It was said that the thinner oil was able to leak through the seals in the older engines.
Recently I got the oil and filter changed specifying 10W-40 Semi-synthetic as recommended in the handbook for normal climates ( 5W-30 is recommended for extreme cold climate operating).
Hey presto, the oil leak has stopped, more or less, I no longer have a little oil patch on the driveway.
So, if you have a pre-2007 Ducato base motorhome which is leaking a drop of oil, before going to the trouble and expense of replacing seals do check that the correct 10W-40 semi-synthetic oil has been used when last serviced.
Save yourself a bundle too, 10W-40 semi-synthetic is roughly one third the price of the 5W-30 synthetic stuff.
I examined the old seal and it looked in quite a good condition so I started checking various forums about the issue.
I found there was a consensus of opinion that many 2.8 engines started leaking because the 5W-30 Synthetic oil recommended for the later X250 (2007 onwards) was being used when older X244 (pre-2007) models were being serviced, instead of the 10W-40 Semi-synthetic recommended for those engines.
It was said that the thinner oil was able to leak through the seals in the older engines.
Recently I got the oil and filter changed specifying 10W-40 Semi-synthetic as recommended in the handbook for normal climates ( 5W-30 is recommended for extreme cold climate operating).
Hey presto, the oil leak has stopped, more or less, I no longer have a little oil patch on the driveway.
So, if you have a pre-2007 Ducato base motorhome which is leaking a drop of oil, before going to the trouble and expense of replacing seals do check that the correct 10W-40 semi-synthetic oil has been used when last serviced.
Save yourself a bundle too, 10W-40 semi-synthetic is roughly one third the price of the 5W-30 synthetic stuff.
