jjaaam

My 2003 has developed a case of leaky butt, but it seems to be fairly sporadic. I've gotten to the point where I check the garage floor every time I take it out. Sometimes it looks like a drop or two, and other times it can go for over a week or two without leaking at all.

At what point should I bite the bullet and get it fixed?

One thing I'm wondering about is if it's leaking at all when I'm driving. Will pressure cause it to leak? The amount of leaks in the garage isn't extreme, but it's there. My concern is that it's leaking while I'm driving and that there may be a lot less fluid in the diff than I think there is. I don't have a lift so I really don't have an easy way to check the fluid level.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and opinions.

gimp

Where's it leaking from?

jjaaam

Not sure if it's coming from an axle seal or from the diff cover. I haven't put it up on jack stands to shimmy under it to see.

gimp

My 2c: Get underneath, see if you can figure out where it's leaking; good chance you won't be able to tell for sure, in that case, clean the diff and trans to be fairly shiny, then wait a couple weeks, and you'll really see where the leak is.

Oh, and before you clean it, top it off with fluid to make sure you've got enough.

Chances are (caveat emptor) it's not gonna suddenly dump fluid. Chances are that if you wait a month, you'll have a better idea of the leak location and cost to repair.

Alternatively, just bring it right in to the shop and have 'em freshen up everything that wants freshening, and don't worry about it for another 15 years.

lunaticfringe007

Have you noticed how you were driving before the leaks? I was talking to a mechanic and they told me that there is a vent tube on these and when people drive hard or long distances at high speed they do tend to lose a little fluid out of that tube.

jjaaam

Yeah, I’ve heard that too. Problem with that is I’ve had it for five years now and it’s never leaked a drop on my garage floor until this year. No change in how I’ve been driving it.

Simtech

The vent tube is actually a vent cap and they have a tendency to get stuck shut. When they get stuck it can cause pressure inside the diff and cause leaks. If you can reach up on top of the diff and move/jiggle(technical term) it then it can vent and your problem might go away. Google for a pic that will help you find it. Good Luck, mine leaked only when it was cold ( well in south Alabama 40 degrees is cold) until I did this.

jjaaam

Good to know - I’ll give that a shot. Thanks!

laurent_zo6

Corvette differential vent and sensor by froggy