Differential leak
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,942
Likes: 7
From: Gaffney, S.C.
Re: Differential leak (FunDriver)
After cleaning off the housing and driving the car 40 miles today, I had two silver dollar spots under the rear after sitting a couple of hours. After inspection I have determined that it is leaking not at the axle seal, but the side housing cover where the O ring lives. Probably removing the cover and applying a bead of RTV is all it will take to seal it. Since GM was one of the first Manufacturers to use RTV you would think they would have thought to use a dab since the O rings have not sealed in 7 years. I am glad GM did not design the Space Shuttle, we would have to recruit Astronauts at gun point. I am going to do the repair myself since my local Chevy Dealer Service Dept has never seen a Corvette and their oldest Technician is not properly weened yet. If someone is going to do a repair for the first time I had rather it be me and if it fails again we all know who did it. :thumbs:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 0
From: Grants Pass OR
Re: Differential leak (irfgt)
This is Class Action material to me. I am usually one that is very passive when it comes to Law suits but I feel as though I purchased a vehicle with a known potential defect with a sketchy repair result record. Anyone else feel this way?
:iagree:
What about having the car recalled?
:iagree:
What about having the car recalled?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,942
Likes: 7
From: Gaffney, S.C.
Re: Differential leak (VETFVER)
I have am appointment with an attorney and will advise when I find out something. His preliminary advice was to keep quiet about it especially on a public forum. Meanwhile, I have a $54,340 car that I need as transportation oozing oil that I need to get back on the road. Looks kinda bad with the Vette parked beside my 1965 Corvair and the Corvette leaks more than the Corvair! :chevy
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 455
Likes: 2
From: manahawkin,nj
Re: Differential leak (irfgt)
irfgt Please keep me/us advised about details of your repair I read the shop manual & it looks like a big job e.x. remove rear spring,ball joints,left drive shaft,LH muffler assembly,damper/tuned absorber & then wheel alignment when you are done there are other things that need to be disconnected but I believe I named major ones. I am not real happy thinking about some dealer tearing the @ss out of my car to fix this freakin leak.
Jerry
Jerry
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Jamestown NY
Re: Differential leak (bellomo)
Just an update and a Big Thank-you to all those postings on the Forum that saved me about $600.00. I went to a second dealer about an hour away for the repair. The leak was fixed and done at about half the cost. They replaced several seals while they had it all a part. So far so good! The Vette Tech was very Knowledgeable, coueteous, and friendly. In Western New York ask for Mike at the West Herr Dealership,my new service center of choice! :party :chevy
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 947
Likes: 1
From: Lake Worth. Fl.,USA Fl
Re: Differential leak (irfgt)
I found my leak after 35k miles and repaired it myself. Not a bad job but you must use a sealant on the mating surfaces. I replaced the "o "ring and axle seal at the same time and used high heat RTV sealant. Dry as a bone. The sealant is the key.. If I ever have to do it again, I think I will make a thin gasket and maybe even skip the O ring as it would not serve any purpose. This problem could be easily solved by GM if they would design a gasket instead of using an "O ring. But the differential is German made, and communication overses may be a problem??a gasket? Hmmm might be insulting to someone these days..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 954
Likes: 0
Re: Differential leak (irfgt)
quick question on these diff leaks...
'03 z06 - 2500 miles.
i saw for the first time today that there was a few drops of something on the garage floor from the rear of the car. never noticed a drop before.
i looked underneath as best i could and noticed that there is a fluid that *looks and feels* kind of like new engine oil, around the left side of the diff/trans.
i can't see exactly where it is coming from but is definately on the left side and seems to start, from feeling underneath, just beyond the rear crossmember (ie, towards the front of the car side of the rear xmember) again on the left side.
i am curious what this fluid is.
it must have started somewhat recently and noticed that whatever is dripping is dripping on the crossmember, is splashing on the left exhaust pipe from driving and i also noticed some that must have sprayed onto the lower part of the rear facia.
i'll definately take it to the shop next week but am wondering what this fluid is and if this sounds like the diff leaks that others have seen.
any thoughts???
thanks for the help!! :)
:confused:
'03 z06 - 2500 miles.
i saw for the first time today that there was a few drops of something on the garage floor from the rear of the car. never noticed a drop before.
i looked underneath as best i could and noticed that there is a fluid that *looks and feels* kind of like new engine oil, around the left side of the diff/trans.
i can't see exactly where it is coming from but is definately on the left side and seems to start, from feeling underneath, just beyond the rear crossmember (ie, towards the front of the car side of the rear xmember) again on the left side.
i am curious what this fluid is.
it must have started somewhat recently and noticed that whatever is dripping is dripping on the crossmember, is splashing on the left exhaust pipe from driving and i also noticed some that must have sprayed onto the lower part of the rear facia.
i'll definately take it to the shop next week but am wondering what this fluid is and if this sounds like the diff leaks that others have seen.
any thoughts???
thanks for the help!! :)
:confused:
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,942
Likes: 7
From: Gaffney, S.C.
Re: Differential leak (fast4vette)
It sounds as though you have the typical left side cover leak. I repaired mine this past week and will post the repair proceedure this weekend. It is a fairly easy repair if you know what to do and have the tools to do it and can save you a wad of money. :chevy
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,079
Likes: 98
From: York PA
Re: Differential leak (irfgt)
Me too.......so, if we are mechanically challenged and are not capable of fixing this ourselves........what is the going rate on the repair by the dealer? What a pain.... :sad:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 954
Likes: 0
Re: Differential leak (irfgt)
great. thanks for the reply. since it is under warranty, i'll let chevy take care of it. i am on the vette tech's schedule for wednesday. they said it might be a cover or a seal and that it sounds (per my description) like gear oil leaking.
i will repost with what they found and what it would have cost if i had to pay.
i DO appreciate the help and replies. :)
have a great weekend!
:cheers:
i will repost with what they found and what it would have cost if i had to pay.
i DO appreciate the help and replies. :)
have a great weekend!
:cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 53
From: Houston, TX
Re: Differential leak (fast4vette)
I have just noticed the leak on my 2003 Z06 with 7600 miles and 9 months. It didn't take me too long to realize the problem. I had a 2000 coupe with the rearend leak at around 15,000 miles, and the problem was the left/driver side o-ring. The new leak is about 1 inch away from the old leak on the garage floor. At least GM is consistent...... makes diagnosing your own car easier. :mad
I'll clean the whole area off with Simple Green and check the fluid level. I'll drive nice and slow for a few weeks and see if just by chance it was fluid out the vent. I doubt it.
And no, GM has not fixed the problem on the new C5s. :(
*** For those that have had this repaired in Houston....... can you recommend a Chevy place to go?? Mac Haik? Munday?? Thanks :) ***
I'll clean the whole area off with Simple Green and check the fluid level. I'll drive nice and slow for a few weeks and see if just by chance it was fluid out the vent. I doubt it.
And no, GM has not fixed the problem on the new C5s. :(
*** For those that have had this repaired in Houston....... can you recommend a Chevy place to go?? Mac Haik? Munday?? Thanks :) ***
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,326
Likes: 523
From: home
Re: Differential leak (1 BAD C5)
I would look realy close when you remove the left axle seal. I usually find the bearing that supports the drive axle has walked out of its bore and is laying inside the rear. We replace the cover but stake the bearing in place.
To whoever was going to have the trans removed to replace the seal between the transd and diff becaude of a pressure buildup, I don't think that is your problem. The seal (o ring) keeps the gear oil in the rear from leaking out. The trans itself is sealed against leakage. Are you seeing any signs of gear oil and trans fluid mixing?
Mark
To whoever was going to have the trans removed to replace the seal between the transd and diff becaude of a pressure buildup, I don't think that is your problem. The seal (o ring) keeps the gear oil in the rear from leaking out. The trans itself is sealed against leakage. Are you seeing any signs of gear oil and trans fluid mixing?
Mark
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,942
Likes: 7
From: Gaffney, S.C.
Re: Differential leak (3X2)
I placed the differential cover removal proceedure on my business web site since it would be a lot easier to post pictures. Click on the photos icon and then click on each picture for text. http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/commun...pid=109615&ck=
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,326
Likes: 523
From: home
Re: Differential leak (Fast98)
Nice and clear pictures. Some suggestions: instead of removing the two bolts holding the park brake cable to to the backing plates- use a 13mm 12point box wrench. Slide the box end up the cable. It will depress the metal fingers allowing the cable to be removed from the bracket. Quicker and easier than removing the bolts. Also, instead of disconnecting the upper ball joint- in which case you need a 5mm allen wrench, just remove the two 18mm headed bolts that hold the upper a-arm to the car.
Mark
Phoenix Performance
Mark
Phoenix Performance
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 1
From: Cerritos/Mooresville CA/NC
Re: Differential leak (irfgt)
I had this same problem with my car. Chevy fixed it......no problems. I was told at the time that this usually occurs on cars that sit for extended periods (month or two). Anyway, I haven't leaked a drop since and the car still sits for extended periods.
Vinny
Vinny
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Re: Differential leak (irfgt)
I had the leaking diff problem too. It started the day I took delivery of the car, and dripped all over my garage floor. The dealer fixed it and it seems to be ok now. My questions are: if this is such a big problem, why does my Chevy dealer act like they've never heard of it before (large dealer), and why did they have to order the parts (and keep my car for 3 days), and why don't they fix this problem during the PDI process to eliminate customer aggravation and down time?
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge LA
Re: Differential leak (irfgt)
I have a 2003 50th AE with 2000 miles on it. I noticed a small leak at the rear end about a month ago. It leaked a spot about the size of two silver dollars in two weeks. I took it to the dealer and they said the left differential side cover seal was leaking. They replaced 2 seals and refilled the rearend. The next morning there was a puddle the size of a saucer on the floor of the garage. I took it back to the dealer and they checked it out. They could not find a leak and said it was slightly overfilled and that was the only problem. They drained and refilled the rearend. They also retorqued the bolts and added some dye to make future leaks easier to spot. It has been a week and so far no leaks. They told me they had five new Vettes in that week for the same problem. It looks like Chevrolet needs to address this problem. :D :D
[Modified by C5FrankC5, 4:17 AM 7/28/2003]
[Modified by C5FrankC5, 4:17 AM 7/28/2003]