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leaking differential vent

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Old Aug 6, 2007 | 09:30 PM
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Default leaking differential vent

I have a reaccurring differential leak and it seems to be coming from the top of the unit. I read that this may be a vent problem. Hard driving on the track really got it going and it went away when back on the street. Took a 1500 mile trip with no leaks. It now has come back slightly. Is it possible to replace the vent with the differential in the car or do I just live with it?
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Old Aug 7, 2007 | 02:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Bobtam
I have a reaccurring differential leak and it seems to be coming from the top of the unit. I read that this may be a vent problem. Hard driving on the track really got it going and it went away when back on the street. Took a 1500 mile trip with no leaks. It now has come back slightly. Is it possible to replace the vent with the differential in the car or do I just live with it?

Sounds like the vent is working as designed. Of course when on the track the oil level will get higher due to much more heat in the diff.

I'd check the level first. There was a few threads that said the level should be slightly below the bottom of the fill hole. Do a search for more info.
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Old Aug 7, 2007 | 02:56 AM
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Not sure if this is worth suggesting or not - as I'm not sure what the vette guys do....and I'm not sure how the diff breather is installed on the vettes - so take this as a grain of salt...

(but thought I'd be an azzhat and mention it anyway)

What about extending the breather a bit (with a hose)??
You'll be less likely to lose the fluid - which could extend up into the hose and drain back into the diff when cooled.

This is something I've done with offroad vehicles to keep the water out of the diff......and I used to have problems with a front differential that leaked through the breather on a 4wd truck.

Other than that...just ignore me.
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Old Aug 7, 2007 | 07:11 PM
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The vent feels like a spring activated valve when feeling on top of the diff. Don't think you can atttach a tube.
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Old Aug 8, 2007 | 12:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Bobtam
The vent feels like a spring activated valve when feeling on top of the diff. Don't think you can atttach a tube.
That's because you need to remove the OEM breather fitting (that you describe) and screw in a barbed hose fitting in its place.
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Old Aug 8, 2007 | 01:59 AM
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If you've never changed the fluid, I'd check the level. It seems many early cars were over-filled from the factory, an old thread.
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Old Aug 8, 2007 | 09:38 AM
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The fill plug was leaking due to a bad gasket when I first got the car and I had to refill it. I filled it to be level with the plug. It took about a half pint. After the track day it took another half pint to be level with the plug. did I overfill it?
sounds like the vent is screwed in from Jansters post. I have seen other posts that it is pressed in.
When I went to fill it after the track day there seemed to be pressure inside when I opened the fill plug. The vent was free to move down but that would keep in pressure. Does anyone know how the vent is supposed to work?
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Old Aug 8, 2007 | 10:29 AM
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Originally Posted by striper
If you've never changed the fluid, I'd check the level. It seems many early cars were over-filled from the factory, an old thread.
I took mine in for a leak. Dealer drained a little oil out of the diff. and charged me $75! No more problem though.

Edit - Mine is an '03.
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