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(This is the first of a couple of threads I'll be starting -- I just got my new QuickJack and was able to get under my car for the first time since I bought it a few months ago...)
'03 Convertible, 100% stock. 24k miles.
Since purchasing about 3 months ago, I've always noticed a "hot" "burning" smell after driving. I was able to get under it today and look around. It seems very wet on the driver's side of the differential - and seems to be where the smell was coming from, as there's a lot of burned oil on the exhaust pipe in that area. The (limited) service records I got with the car indicate "Degrease oil pan and rear differential maintenance" just prior to my purchase of the vehicle about 3000 miles ago.
Here are some photos of the area (and one of the passenger side of the differential for comparison) - appreciate any advice as to where the leak might be coming from and whether it's something that requires my immediate attention or not.
I found that the differential could have bene overfilled and diff oil can be forced out of the vent on the top of the differential after "spirited driving". Not my words but the bulletin phrase.
There was a technical bulletin concerning this problem. It involved removing the top part of the vent and placing a rubber hose on the remaining nipple and run it up higher on the body and securing it.
I found that the differential could have bene overfilled and diff oil can be forced out of the vent on the top of the differential after "spirited driving". Not my words but the bulletin phrase.
There was a technical bulletin concerning this problem. It involved removing the top part of the vent and placing a rubber hose on the remaining nipple and run it up higher on the body and securing it.
Seems to me like the appropriate fix to that would be... to put the correct amount of fluid in the differential
If you end up needing an axle seal or to even reseal the side cover to the case, it should be a fairly easy job on your lift. Just drop the cradle and slide it out of the way to work while the trans/diff is supported by a stand
Mine looked like that and It turned out to be tranny fluid...It looked dark and dirty on the floor of the garage but I discovered it was actually dirty pink fluid. It was dirty because the dirt had built up on that area and caused the almost black appearance. I thought it was diff fluid also at first.
Last edited by lunaticfringe007; Sep 12, 2019 at 12:30 PM.
...It seems very wet on the driver's side of the differential - and seems to be where the smell was coming from, as there's a lot of burned oil on the exhaust pipe in that area...
Difficult to tell from the angle the pictures were taken, but the "usual suspects" are the output axle seals, the side cover o-rings and the differential vent on top of the driver's side (shiny cap in picture).
Differential is Oily...
