Differential leaking fluid
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Red Oak Texas
Differential leaking fluid
Hey I just got this car monday night from my mom. She has never notice any fluid on the ground. But when we parked the car in the garage I went back outside about 5 hours later and noticed oil underneath it. I jacked up the car and noticed that the rear end was wet on the side of the drivers side rear. It looks like maybe the seal that holds that side on, is bad???? But it also looks like it may be coming from where the trans bolts into the diff.
I have no clue how to even tackle this. Could somebody show me a parts diagram of how this goes together, and how hard is this to do???? How much for new seals?
I have no clue how to even tackle this. Could somebody show me a parts diagram of how this goes together, and how hard is this to do???? How much for new seals?
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 54
Likes: 1
From: Troy MI
Dude I just posted Oil leaking from rear. I have the exact same issue. I have a 2000 manual. This is odd that you and I both are having the same problem at the same time.
Hope someone here can assist us.
Hope someone here can assist us.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 54
Likes: 1
From: Troy MI
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 54
Likes: 1
From: Troy MI
I just got done tonight cleaning under the car in that spot so that tomorrow I can see exactly where it is coming from. But like you said, it is coming from that plate.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee Wi
All new seals are about $75-80 from Gene Culley (gmpartshouse.com).
http://www.cajundude.com/outputshaftseal.htm
I will be replacing mine soon also.
Ricky
http://www.cajundude.com/outputshaftseal.htm
I will be replacing mine soon also.
Ricky
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Red Oak Texas
Is this a common problem on all the vette's??? I thought maybe I did something wrong last time I took the car out. My fiancee says its because I drove it at 120 mph. But I seriously doubt that.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee Wi
Some members have mentioned that if the diff was overful some could come out of the vent, but if you can see it leaking on the side then that is pretty common. I can't tell where mine is coming from so I'm replacing all of them, since I will have it out.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 54
Likes: 1
From: Troy MI
I just read many many many stories about this problem.
Some are saying it is because of the level of oil.
Some say it is venting due to heat.
Some are saying that you will need the seal replaced. $650 - $1200
Some people have replaced the fluid with something called Red Line.
I have had my car new from 2000 and this is the first time I am seeing this. I only drive it on sunny days and garage it through winter. We have had extremely hot days here in MI. and I have been driving it more then ever this week. I drive it on the expressway where I have had to sitting traffic and work the clutch a lot. Maybe it is from the heat and is venting.
I'm going to watch this and let the car sit a few days until I drive it again and see what it does.
Some are saying it is because of the level of oil.
Some say it is venting due to heat.
Some are saying that you will need the seal replaced. $650 - $1200
Some people have replaced the fluid with something called Red Line.
I have had my car new from 2000 and this is the first time I am seeing this. I only drive it on sunny days and garage it through winter. We have had extremely hot days here in MI. and I have been driving it more then ever this week. I drive it on the expressway where I have had to sitting traffic and work the clutch a lot. Maybe it is from the heat and is venting.
I'm going to watch this and let the car sit a few days until I drive it again and see what it does.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Red Oak Texas
maybe mine is just venting??? It has been hot here in texas, didn't notice any problems until my fiancee came home from school and then parked it, and came back 5 hours later and had a little puddle under it. Car has been parked for some time with no driving action, so maybe it was just in shock???
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 163
Likes: 28
From: Sweden
Hi,
this is a known issue by GM, see below. I've just done the mod by myself on my -02 coupe, not so difficult but a lot of work:
Rear Axle Side Cover Oil Leak - fluid leak seal repair #PI01363 - (Sep 12, 2003)
Rear Axle Side Cover Oil Leak
Condition/Concern:
The rear axle side covers may exhibit a fluid leak.
Recommendation/Instructions:
When installing the rear axle side cover(s) a new o-ring and axle seal should be installed and a material such as Loctite® 518 should be applied to the outboard side of the o-ring. The sealant should be allowed to set prior to filling the axle with oil and driving.
Part Numbers (Correct as of 9/2/03)
Side Cover O-Ring Seal - 89047953
Axle Seal - 88996703
Loctite 518 - 22423 Flange Sealant 25 ml with primer, 22424 Flange Sealant 300 ml with primer
Models:
(97, 98, 99, 00, 01, 02, 03, 04 Chevrolet Corvette)
this is a known issue by GM, see below. I've just done the mod by myself on my -02 coupe, not so difficult but a lot of work:
Rear Axle Side Cover Oil Leak - fluid leak seal repair #PI01363 - (Sep 12, 2003)
Rear Axle Side Cover Oil Leak
Condition/Concern:
The rear axle side covers may exhibit a fluid leak.
Recommendation/Instructions:
When installing the rear axle side cover(s) a new o-ring and axle seal should be installed and a material such as Loctite® 518 should be applied to the outboard side of the o-ring. The sealant should be allowed to set prior to filling the axle with oil and driving.
Part Numbers (Correct as of 9/2/03)
Side Cover O-Ring Seal - 89047953
Axle Seal - 88996703
Loctite 518 - 22423 Flange Sealant 25 ml with primer, 22424 Flange Sealant 300 ml with primer
Models:
(97, 98, 99, 00, 01, 02, 03, 04 Chevrolet Corvette)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
Hey I just got this car monday night from my mom. She has never notice any fluid on the ground. But when we parked the car in the garage I went back outside about 5 hours later and noticed oil underneath it. I jacked up the car and noticed that the rear end was wet on the side of the drivers side rear. It looks like maybe the seal that holds that side on, is bad???? But it also looks like it may be coming from where the trans bolts into the diff.
So I thought it might be the LH cover O-ring (also a common problem). I also found oil residue up near the vent ... and ultimately concluded that the venting oil would run down the gap between the LH side cover and the differential body and drip off the bottom of the LH cover.
It can be very deceiving on where the oil is actually coming from, and suggest you determine exactly where it's coming from before going in for a repair that might not be required.
Last edited by ZeeOSix; Jun 16, 2007 at 06:09 PM.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Rear Differential Leak
Okay let me add another car to the list. I have a 2003 Z06. Car has 8100 miles on it. I just purchased the car a few weeks ago. During my pre-purchase inspection I had the car on the rack and there were no leaks anywhere. I drove the car this past weekend for about 30 miles on the interstate. After parking in the garage I noticed the oil spot on the floor. I saw the same type of area leaking - driver's side of the housing. What was interesting is one day later when removing the fill plug to check the oil level I could hear pressure escape when I loosened the plug. Shouldn't the vent remove all pressure on the housing or is it spring loaded to allow some pressure before release? Fill me in guys. I am a new Z06 owner.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee Wi
What was interesting is one day later when removing the fill plug to check the oil level I could hear pressure escape when I loosened the plug. Shouldn't the vent remove all pressure on the housing or is it spring loaded to allow some pressure before release? Fill me in guys. I am a new Z06 owner.
Mine made the same noise when I checked my fluid level. Maybe I will check the vent, that didn't even cross my mind.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
Are you sure the differential had pressure or maybe it was under a slight vacuum? – I’ve read a few instances too that it could be under a slight vacuum due to the one-way vent valve and the cooling action of the diff after it's vented while hot. In any case, the vent shouldn't allow much pressure build up before venting.
I checked the vent's function on my Zee by removing the fill plug, then sticking a short piece of Tygon tubing inside the differential. The used some compressed air regulated way down in pressure and carefully blew some air into the diff while feeling around the vent. I could hear and feel the air escape from the vent. Keep in mind that there was also some clearance between the tube and the fill hole, so it would be hard to build up any significant pressure during this test.
Last edited by ZeeOSix; Jun 17, 2007 at 11:50 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,094
Likes: 197
From: Colorado Springs, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Hey I just got this car monday night from my mom. She has never notice any fluid on the ground. But when we parked the car in the garage I went back outside about 5 hours later and noticed oil underneath it. I jacked up the car and noticed that the rear end was wet on the side of the drivers side rear. It looks like maybe the seal that holds that side on, is bad???? But it also looks like it may be coming from where the trans bolts into the diff.
I have no clue how to even tackle this. Could somebody show me a parts diagram of how this goes together, and how hard is this to do???? How much for new seals?
I have no clue how to even tackle this. Could somebody show me a parts diagram of how this goes together, and how hard is this to do???? How much for new seals?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
While you guys consider what you want to do, one word of advice. If it is leaking and you let it get low you will have much bigger problems as the rear doesn't hold much oil. So at a minimum I would suggest you check the level and if low fill to prevent any damage.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 5
From: Stark County Ohio
Just an FYI
The Chevy dealer (Ferris) in New Philadelphia, Ohio replaced the left (drivers) differential axle seal for $300.00 on my 2000. This was repaired last fall (2006) by the previous owner, who is a long time friend. Car had 24,000 miles on the clock at the time.
Last fall I was telling him that my 5,400 mile 2003 Corvette had dampness around the left axle seal and that this is a common C5 problem, regardless of mileage. Upon inspection, he found evidence of a slight leak, so he had the seal replaced. I told him to expect at least $600.00, so he was pleasantly surprised to pay $300.00.
We both have lifts and I offered to help him replace the seal at his house or mine, but he was leaving on a Corvette road trip the following week and didn’t want to tear into it.
The Chevy dealer (Ferris) in New Philadelphia, Ohio replaced the left (drivers) differential axle seal for $300.00 on my 2000. This was repaired last fall (2006) by the previous owner, who is a long time friend. Car had 24,000 miles on the clock at the time.
Last fall I was telling him that my 5,400 mile 2003 Corvette had dampness around the left axle seal and that this is a common C5 problem, regardless of mileage. Upon inspection, he found evidence of a slight leak, so he had the seal replaced. I told him to expect at least $600.00, so he was pleasantly surprised to pay $300.00.
We both have lifts and I offered to help him replace the seal at his house or mine, but he was leaving on a Corvette road trip the following week and didn’t want to tear into it.