or the vent on top, driver's side 
Differential oil leak
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Omaha NE
Differential oil leak
I just purchased a 2001 C5. The previous owner said it has no issues but it does have a little oil leaking from the differential. Will this end up being a major repair. This is my first experience with Corvettes.
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 228
Likes: 13
From: Northern Illinois
Before everyone has you freaking out, you need to determine where the leak is. A common leak is the side seals for the half shafts. That's a pretty easy fix for a DIYer and the cost is way, way less than $600.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 590
Likes: 134
From: Hanover Maryland
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
First thing that you should do is check the differential fluid level. Just to make sure that it isn't LOW from the leak. If it is low, just top it off for now. Make sure that the car is LEVEL when you check and top off. Fluid should be at the bottom of the fill hole.
Next: Clean/wipe down the diff/trans and monitor the leak. Hell,,, If its just a seep and not bad, live with it till you can get the parts and courage to do the job your self. It really isn't that difficult. At that time you can drain the diff, fix the seals and refill with fresh lube (75/90 GL5)
If you have specific questions on how to do a side cover seal job, we are here for ya.
Review the following post to get an idea what the job consist of:
- C5 Differential Seal replacement: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...on-photos.html
Here are some post on improvements that can be performed to make the C5 Diff a little more solid:
- C5, ragtopws6 , Upgrading your C5 rear with C6 Z06 guts, : http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...-z06-guts.html
-
- C5, Its_Go_Time, Output Shaft Install - Left and Right: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...post1573407966
Bill
Next: Clean/wipe down the diff/trans and monitor the leak. Hell,,, If its just a seep and not bad, live with it till you can get the parts and courage to do the job your self. It really isn't that difficult. At that time you can drain the diff, fix the seals and refill with fresh lube (75/90 GL5)
If you have specific questions on how to do a side cover seal job, we are here for ya.
Review the following post to get an idea what the job consist of:
- C5 Differential Seal replacement: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...on-photos.html
Here are some post on improvements that can be performed to make the C5 Diff a little more solid:
- C5, ragtopws6 , Upgrading your C5 rear with C6 Z06 guts, : http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...-z06-guts.html
-
- C5, Its_Go_Time, Output Shaft Install - Left and Right: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...post1573407966
Bill
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
LOL!! After you review the seal replacement post, you are most likely thinking " This Guy is crazy! I cant do all of that!
If its just the seal leak and not a side cover leak, you can just pop out the old output shaft seals and pop in new seals. You don't need to remove the differential from the trans or even remove the side cover on the diff. Hell, you can even leave the diff connected to the trans and do side cover removal and reinstallation if you need to.
Hope that helps.
Bill
If its just the seal leak and not a side cover leak, you can just pop out the old output shaft seals and pop in new seals. You don't need to remove the differential from the trans or even remove the side cover on the diff. Hell, you can even leave the diff connected to the trans and do side cover removal and reinstallation if you need to.
Hope that helps.
Bill