Unsolved Mystery!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 12
Likes: 1
From: Southern IL
Unsolved Mystery!
I just bought my first Corvette. I drove 6hrs for it. I read endlessly on what to look for when buying a C5 Corvette and the common problems they have. I even checked for current codes. Nothing serious. This one seemed perfect, so I bought it. After sitting in the hotel parking garage I noticed some fresh drips from around the rear end. I though here we go, “leaky butt” already. I took it to the only shop open on a Sunday in the area (Pep Boys in Hixson TN, great bunch of guys). I had them check the rear diff and trans fluid. The rear diff took very little, a bit low. Most likely the common failure of the trans axle seal right? Everything was messy and hard to tell. I was advised it should be ok to finish my trip back home 320miles away. Praise God we made it home!
Here comes the mystey: The next morning after the long trip home with it, I put the car up on my QuickJack lift, bought degreaser and brake cleaner and cleaned up the messy rear undercarage. (Even had spatter all over the back of the car around the plate and taillights from it leaking at highway speed). Ok, now EVERYTHING is clean and like new. I check the rear diff, it’s level. I check the trans fluid (burning my hand in the process) and it seems to be level (yet almost milky and very foamy). Ok, trans and diff are full. I take it on a short drive (10min tops and low speed). Bring it home, sits in the clean garage over several hours...not a drip from anywhere! So today I take it out and drive it for 30min and for a short stretch I get up to 70mph...take it home, park in the garage....not a drip anywhere and nothing appease to be leaking!
Now I do believe in miracles, but unless the Lord has performed one on my 97 C5, these kind of issues don’t just go away! So I would like the thoughts of this forum on this mystery! What say you?
Here comes the mystey: The next morning after the long trip home with it, I put the car up on my QuickJack lift, bought degreaser and brake cleaner and cleaned up the messy rear undercarage. (Even had spatter all over the back of the car around the plate and taillights from it leaking at highway speed). Ok, now EVERYTHING is clean and like new. I check the rear diff, it’s level. I check the trans fluid (burning my hand in the process) and it seems to be level (yet almost milky and very foamy). Ok, trans and diff are full. I take it on a short drive (10min tops and low speed). Bring it home, sits in the clean garage over several hours...not a drip from anywhere! So today I take it out and drive it for 30min and for a short stretch I get up to 70mph...take it home, park in the garage....not a drip anywhere and nothing appease to be leaking!
Now I do believe in miracles, but unless the Lord has performed one on my 97 C5, these kind of issues don’t just go away! So I would like the thoughts of this forum on this mystery! What say you?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 461
Likes: 122
From: Ozark Alabama
Differential vent was sticking closed and allowing pressure to build up in the diff. Eventually it broke loose and spewed diff fluid. Somewhat well known issue with the diff vent on the C5:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...d-removal.html
Vent is on the top of the Diff more toward the drivers side of the diff.......
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...d-removal.html
Vent is on the top of the Diff more toward the drivers side of the diff.......
You may have unstuck the vent when cleaning the diff. Hopefully its that simple and you will have many miles of enjoyment. Remember cars like to be driven so drive the wheels off of it. Oh ya Congrats on the new car and welcome to the asylum.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 12
Likes: 1
From: Southern IL
Differential vent was sticking closed and allowing pressure to build up in the diff. Eventually it broke loose and spewed diff fluid. Somewhat well known issue with the diff vent on the C5:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...d-removal.html
Vent is on the top of the Diff more toward the drivers side of the diff.......
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...d-removal.html
Vent is on the top of the Diff more toward the drivers side of the diff.......
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 12
Likes: 1
From: Southern IL
The car Car was early driven, so it makes since that would be the issue.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 461
Likes: 122
From: Ozark Alabama
My rear end would leak a few drops every year when it would get cold (South Alabama so it never gets really cold, 30s at night for a few days). This year I changed the fluid and clean everything really good, including the vent cap. It has not leaked since so I will have to see how it does this winter.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 15,678
Likes: 1,097
From: birmingham Alabama
St. Jude Donor '09 and '13
Differential vent was sticking closed and allowing pressure to build up in the diff. Eventually it broke loose and spewed diff fluid. Somewhat well known issue with the diff vent on the C5:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...d-removal.html
Vent is on the top of the Diff more toward the drivers side of the diff.......
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...d-removal.html
Vent is on the top of the Diff more toward the drivers side of the diff.......
