Diff leaking oil, Help please.

P38_Ireland · May 22, 2011

Hi Lads,

After a fun afternoon off roading i came home and found a big puddle of diff oil under the car. it seems the oil is coming from the top of the diff. I really know nothing about Diffs and would be grateful of any help as what it is and what needs to be done (besides getting some diff guards)

The Mad Hat Man · May 22, 2011

yu sure that aint brake fluid or similar - it dont look like it is coming from the diff.
Diffs usually go in the rear diff cover. Mite be worth giving it a good clean and see it you can see any more.

jamesmartin · May 22, 2011

you will have to clean it first cant see any obvious damage but could be leaking from diff case joint

GRATCH · May 22, 2011

Looks like it's the front diff, I'd look above it at the engine- crank seal first unless the oil leak is obvious. What does the oil smell like, by the way?

P38_Ireland · May 22, 2011

Up date gents, im 99% sure its coming from the Diff, took some more pics when i got home. the fluid is thick and has a dark green tint from it. any ideas?

Top of the Diff

jamesmartin · May 22, 2011

theres only 3 options front cover in hole thru corrosion ,case ,or joint

P38_Ireland · May 22, 2011

somebody mentioned it could be a breather pipe? if water got in to the diff it might force the oil out? sound possible?

jamesmartin · May 22, 2011

no .breathers further toward passenger side oil been thrown up/out by diff

bustersbus · May 22, 2011

P38_Ireland said:
somebody mentioned it could be a breather pipe? if water got in to the diff it might force the oil out? sound possible?

jamesmartin said:
no .breathers further toward passenger side oil been thrown up/out by diff

The green thing in this photie is of where yer breather pipe fits to....

P38_Ireland · May 22, 2011

thanks for the help lads, lets say worst case scenario how hard would it be to change the front axle? bare in mind im a hobby mechanic with a fairly basic set of tools.

im thinking i might start

1) clean off the diff with some petrol and examine it better,
2) drain the oil change the diff gasket.

is this the best way forward?

jamesmartin · May 22, 2011

no gasket silicone ,probably weld up

bustersbus · May 23, 2011

P38_Ireland said:
thanks for the help lads, lets say worst case scenario how hard would it be to change the front axle? bare in mind im a hobby mechanic with a fairly basic set of tools.

im thinking i might start

1) clean off the diff with some petrol and examine it better,
2) drain the oil change the diff gasket.

is this the best way forward?

Have a look and decide fur yerself...

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f41/front-axle-removal-63803.html

P38_Ireland · May 23, 2011

bustersbus said:
Have a look and decide fur yerself...

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f41/front-axle-removal-63803.html

Thanks Busterbus, your an absolute legend! just been having a look at some of your other guides there. it will keep me up on my maintenance

Thanks everyone else too, will keep you all posted thanks

The Mad Hat Man · May 23, 2011

As Gratch said - if that's the front axle, that is, most likely coming from the engine above. Check that before yu even consider doing anything other than cleaning the axle.

CwazyWabbit · May 23, 2011

As it has contined to leak (there is a lot on the floor in one picture) while parked surely it must be from above the diff?
Not sure what engine you have but on the 300tdi the oil filter and oil cooler lines are ideally placed to leak on that spot of the diff. How long ago did you change your engine oil, maybe it's too clean for engine oil!
You could stick a bowl under it and check next weekend if there is any oil left in the engine or axle

P38_Ireland · May 23, 2011

right lads, i do have a crack in the casing. have a gander at the pics, tried welding it but i think the cover is shagged. am i looking at a Dif pan?

LR149 Diff pan - weld on - with hole for filler plug - front axle to KA930455

jamesmartin · May 23, 2011

new pan and diff protector

The Mad Hat Man · May 23, 2011

I still cant believe that is the cause of all the oil over the top of the diff tho.

yup - diff pan, but its a bugger to weld - and, of course, the diff has to be scrupulously clean.

dont need a diff protector, unless yu do heavy stony offroading - causes more probs than they solve in muddy environments - they are a bugger to clean and make the pans rot very quickly.

P38_Ireland · May 23, 2011

The Mad Hat Man said:
I still cant believe that is the cause of all the oil over the top of the diff tho.

yup - diff pan, but its a bugger to weld - and, of course, the diff has to be scrupulously clean.

dont need a diff protector, unless yu do heavy stony offroading - causes more probs than they solve in muddy environments - they are a bugger to clean and make the pans rot very quickly.

i was driving home from the off mountains at a steady 60mph so i think the oil was leaking and blowing back up behind the diff. there is nothing above that could be leaking. i have a 2.8 Diahatsu engine in it.

how much work is involved in changing the pan?

The Mad Hat Man · May 24, 2011

cut off old one, clean area scrupulously and weld noo one on.

prob is yu are welding a thin metal plate to a heavy cast lump - not an easy job - even for the pros

.

Diff leaking oil, Help please.

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