This is an old box that I put in when I swapped in the 1.6 and NOW I remember that it was leaking a bit of oil

not to mention the bearings are rooted, it whines louder than Germain Greer...
Steve I think what you said has some validity, but the seal in the back of this box is so cactus i don't think it would make much difference either way.
I might try to get the underside steam cleaned once I get the transmission sorted, it's nasty under there!