Help with Differential leak (NOT the normal issue)
Thread Starter
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Republic of Texas
Help with Differential leak (NOT the normal issue)
In October, I had a used 3.15 diff installed with all new seals. Everything looked great. Over the past month (limited driving) I've noticed a leak under the differential. I finally had some time to get under the car and see what was going on.
The output shafts are clean as is the front end to the trans. The drain plug also appears to be clean. The leak appears to be coming from the large gasket that joins the two halves of the pumpkin together.
The color of the leak doesn't make sense: It appears the color of motor oil.
Any ideas on what is going on?
The output shafts are clean as is the front end to the trans. The drain plug also appears to be clean. The leak appears to be coming from the large gasket that joins the two halves of the pumpkin together.
The color of the leak doesn't make sense: It appears the color of motor oil.
Any ideas on what is going on?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 763
Likes: 45
From: Long Grove IL
Is it coming from the side cover on the drivers side? That's a common leak point and there was a TSB regarding installing a new O-ring and using anaerobic sealant on the cover. I had to do this on my '04.
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Republic of Texas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
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From: OK
If I remember right... someone that was having a similar issue just used some sealant on the outside of the case over the gap.... and it stopped the seeping...pretty simple.
I'd clean it good with something that will get you to bare metal and use some good anaerobic sealant and put a nice neat bead as far around the bottom of the case as I could.. not a by the book fix, but no one will know it but you... if it doesn't work your sure not out much
I'd clean it good with something that will get you to bare metal and use some good anaerobic sealant and put a nice neat bead as far around the bottom of the case as I could.. not a by the book fix, but no one will know it but you... if it doesn't work your sure not out much
Thread Starter
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,550
Likes: 903
From: Republic of Texas
If I remember right... someone that was having a similar issue just used some sealant on the outside of the case over the gap.... and it stopped the seeping...pretty simple.
I'd clean it good with something that will get you to bare metal and use some good anaerobic sealant and put a nice neat bead as far around the bottom of the case as I could.. not a by the book fix, but no one will know it but you... if it doesn't work your sure not out much
I'd clean it good with something that will get you to bare metal and use some good anaerobic sealant and put a nice neat bead as far around the bottom of the case as I could.. not a by the book fix, but no one will know it but you... if it doesn't work your sure not out much
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
that's the right color fluid. I agree its probably that ring gasket leaking and I would pull that side off and install a new gasket and really inspect the cover for cracks. might as well put a new cv axle seal in at the same time. not that hard if your a bit of a tech mind. if not I would spray that area with brake or carb cleaner and find out exactly where its coming from if possible. then decide if you want to rig or do a permanent fix. Not a lot of corvette guys believe in rigging.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
Actually I'd probably just get some black silicone, just make sure you get the surface REALLY clean with some brake cleaner or something to get rid of ALL oily residue before applying the silicone... I bet it works!
Last edited by 73Corvette; Jun 5, 2015 at 12:56 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 763
Likes: 45
From: Long Grove IL
Here ya go...
As far as the anaerobic sealant, it's basically a sealant that dries when no oxygen is present. Usually used where you don't want any chance of excess sealant harming anything it got inside of. My local Chevy dealer stocked the Loctite brand sealant for this instead of the much more expensive GM equivalent.
As far as the anaerobic sealant, it's basically a sealant that dries when no oxygen is present. Usually used where you don't want any chance of excess sealant harming anything it got inside of. My local Chevy dealer stocked the Loctite brand sealant for this instead of the much more expensive GM equivalent.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Miami FL
Thread Starter
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,550
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From: Republic of Texas
Here ya go...
As far as the anaerobic sealant, it's basically a sealant that dries when no oxygen is present. Usually used where you don't want any chance of excess sealant harming anything it got inside of. My local Chevy dealer stocked the Loctite brand sealant for this instead of the much more expensive GM equivalent.
As far as the anaerobic sealant, it's basically a sealant that dries when no oxygen is present. Usually used where you don't want any chance of excess sealant harming anything it got inside of. My local Chevy dealer stocked the Loctite brand sealant for this instead of the much more expensive GM equivalent.
I found no indication that the leak was coming from the top and dripping down the sides.