Back bumper wet with something
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Pasadena California
Back bumper wet with something
I have a 98 vert with about 72K on it. It was very hot like 99 degrees outside. I drove probably 150 miles on the interstate in that heat and when I got home there was, I think, rear end oil droplets on the back bumper and a wet spot between the exhaust under the car. Any ideas?
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Pasadena California
The diff vent is on the front side of rear end so I can't see it. There are two steel hoses comming over the back of the differential, both have wire (like a spring) wrapped around them. One of those pipes has what appears to be rear end fluid on it, I wiped it off. Now there is no new oil on the ground.
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From: Dyer, IN
The diff vent is on the front side of rear end so I can't see it. There are two steel hoses comming over the back of the differential, both have wire (like a spring) wrapped around them. One of those pipes has what appears to be rear end fluid on it, I wiped it off. Now there is no new oil on the ground.
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Another thing to check is your power steering pump. When a seal blows fluid dumps in the left front wheel well, blows underneath the car and leaves a very wet diff and rear fascia that is wet from one side to the other. You could have a seal that is starting to go. I have blown the seal on 2 pumps on the track. On my cars the whole back of the car was soaked with oil. When I saw your description that is the first thing I thought of since the diff doesn't really blow a lot of fluid out of the vent tube.
Bill
Bill
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From: Kannapolis NC
I'm betting that if you find the problem, you'll have either a leaking rear axle seal or blowing the fluid out the vent. As it heats up and you're moving, the air blows it out and up on the back, just like it does dust and pollen. It all sticks to the rear bumper. It may not ever do it again, or maybe if you drive when it's really hot only. Please post what you find if you ever pin it down. If it's power steering fluid, it'll be under the car all the way to the back. Look to see where it starts and eliminate the stuff forward.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Pasadena California
I took my Vett to my mechanic which is about 25 miles on the freeway from my house. Several times hitting well over the speed limit. When I got there and we looked there was no oil dripping from anywhere, but it did look dirty like there might have been some leaking for some time. He checked the rear end fluid level and it was perfect. So I decided to not do anything that day and drive the car to the Long Beach Grand Prix. It's about 38 miles from my house again on the freeway, still no evidance of oil after the round trip. I don't know what to do, maybe clean the area and look for evdance of leaking. I am open to any ideas,
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From: Kannapolis NC
I don't think you need to do anything. You can't fix a leak that isn't. After long drives on hot days, just look at the back bumper, if you see spots, look at the rear cross member under the rear axle for evidence of fluid. It may never leak again. Mine sat for a couple of months and then I drove it 200 miles and I saw some spots on the rear bumper and on the cross member from the seal. I dried it off and have never seen it again, two years now.