Differential leak
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,942
Likes: 7
From: Gaffney, S.C.
Differential leak
Well, it looks like I have my first problem with my 2003 at 9000 miles. There is a small puddle to the left of the rear end. This subject has been over here before but nowhere do I find a definate fix for the problem. New seals will not fix a car with new seals in it. Does anyone know the answer for a positive cure. I will be doing the repairs myself. Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Re: Differential leak (irfgt)
The problem I had with mine was the driver's side differential housing cover. A new o-ring seal (with GM's red anaerobic sealant) was installed. While everything was apart I also had the axle seal replaced too although it was not the cause of the leak.
If you've only got 9K miles and it's an '03, why don't you let the warranty take care of it?
If you've only got 9K miles and it's an '03, why don't you let the warranty take care of it?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,799
Likes: 10
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: Differential leak (irfgt)
Actually, new seals will fix the problem. For whatever reason, the factory just doesn't install the seals correctly. I've had this fix on 2 of mey C5's, both at about the 7,000 mile mark. New seals were installed and the problem was fixed.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,942
Likes: 7
From: Gaffney, S.C.
Re: Differential leak (LoneStarFRC)
Since I am A Master Technician and don't trust Dealerships, I will do the work myself. I do not care about warranty, what I want is a cure not a band aid. I was hoping that by purchasing a 2003 new that some of the older problems people were having had been cured. Aparently not. People are posting on other threads of replacing seals again and again. This is BS! There has to be a cure for the problem.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 10,976
Likes: 21
From: FL
St. Jude Donor '13
Re: Differential leak (irfgt)
I have had 2 this week (and it is only tuesday),and have done at least 50-60+ over the past few years :yesnod: Unfortunately,it is quite clear that GM is not going to address this issue :rolleyes: 1st,check the fluid level.If it is overfilled,some spirited driving will push the fluid out the vent on the left side...
I add a slight bead of anerobic sealer (for aluminum machined surfaces) to the left cover mating surface along with a new o-ring and output seal.Out of all of them,about 3-4 returned with a reaccuring leak.In those cases,I installed a new left cover,along with the sealer...My theory is that the housings or the covers are not machined properly because the fluid always takes the same telltale path...
http://www.vetteshop.cc/
I add a slight bead of anerobic sealer (for aluminum machined surfaces) to the left cover mating surface along with a new o-ring and output seal.Out of all of them,about 3-4 returned with a reaccuring leak.In those cases,I installed a new left cover,along with the sealer...My theory is that the housings or the covers are not machined properly because the fluid always takes the same telltale path...
http://www.vetteshop.cc/
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Re: Differential leak (C-5 TECH)
I have had 2 this week (and it is only tuesday),and have done at least 50-60+ over the past few years :yesnod: Unfortunately,it is quite clear that GM is not going to address this issue :rolleyes: 1st,check the fluid level.If it is overfilled,some spirited driving will push the fluid out the vent on the left side...
I add a slight bead of anerobic sealer (for aluminum machined surfaces) to the left cover mating surface along with a new o-ring and output seal.Out of all of them,about 3-4 returned with a reaccuring leak.In those cases,I installed a new left cover,along with the sealer...My theory is that the housings or the covers are not machined properly because the fluid always takes the same telltale path...
http://www.vetteshop.cc/
I add a slight bead of anerobic sealer (for aluminum machined surfaces) to the left cover mating surface along with a new o-ring and output seal.Out of all of them,about 3-4 returned with a reaccuring leak.In those cases,I installed a new left cover,along with the sealer...My theory is that the housings or the covers are not machined properly because the fluid always takes the same telltale path...
http://www.vetteshop.cc/
Robert
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,942
Likes: 7
From: Gaffney, S.C.
Re: Differential leak (LoneStarFRC)
Thanks, I am going to get it up in the air tomorrow so I can evaluate exactly where the leak is coming from. I do not drive it hard so Spirited driving is definately not the problem. I will post the exact leak location as soon as I can. It seems unbelieveable that GM would allow a problem to occur for 6 years without a cure at the source. It has to be costing them a fortune in Warranty claims.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Louisville KY
Re: Differential leak (LoneStarFRC)
My 2002 has been at the dealer for 4 straight days, and they say that the leak is coming out the differential overflow valve. Their theory is that a seal between the transmission and the differential has failed and is causing pressure to build up in the differential and force the fluid out. They are getting ready to do an 8 hour procedure to drop the transmission in order to get to the seal. This worries me a lot, particuarly if it is a simpler fix, as noted above.
HELP! Has anyone had the problem with the fluid coming out the overflow? Will the "O ring" fix noted above resolve this, or is major surgery required? She goes under the knife on Wednesday if I don't intervene.
:confused:
HELP! Has anyone had the problem with the fluid coming out the overflow? Will the "O ring" fix noted above resolve this, or is major surgery required? She goes under the knife on Wednesday if I don't intervene.
:confused:
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 0
From: Grants Pass OR
Re: Differential leak (irfgt)
"It has to be costing them a fortune in Warranty claims."
________________________________________ _______
Not really. Most Corvette owners don't even know they have a leak and if they do, consider it normal.
Quality Chevrolet in Escondido, CA told me they would not fix my leak under any circumstances. The whole episode left a bad taste in my mouth for GM, Chevrolet, and their dealers. One thing for sure, they will never get me to buy another GM branded car EVER! "All GM cars leak oil," I was told. I complained by writing letters, email, and called the numbers in the back of the owner’s manual all to no avail. I was basically told by GM Detroit that they rely on their dealers for all warrantee work and there was nothing they could do. As far as I’m concerned, the car should be fixed under a recall.
Because of this, my love for the car diminishes a little bit with each passing day. J.D. Powers asked if I had known about the oil leak before I bought the car would I have still have purchased the car? My answer was emphatically NO.
We always have to remember that GM serves its shareholders ahead of their customers.
:sad:
________________________________________ _______
Not really. Most Corvette owners don't even know they have a leak and if they do, consider it normal.
Quality Chevrolet in Escondido, CA told me they would not fix my leak under any circumstances. The whole episode left a bad taste in my mouth for GM, Chevrolet, and their dealers. One thing for sure, they will never get me to buy another GM branded car EVER! "All GM cars leak oil," I was told. I complained by writing letters, email, and called the numbers in the back of the owner’s manual all to no avail. I was basically told by GM Detroit that they rely on their dealers for all warrantee work and there was nothing they could do. As far as I’m concerned, the car should be fixed under a recall.
Because of this, my love for the car diminishes a little bit with each passing day. J.D. Powers asked if I had known about the oil leak before I bought the car would I have still have purchased the car? My answer was emphatically NO.
We always have to remember that GM serves its shareholders ahead of their customers.
:sad:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 929
Likes: 1
From: West Palm Beach FL
Re: Differential leak (VETFVER)
I to have a leak from my rear differential. Not having a lift makes it very hard for me to see where it's coming from though. I think I'm going to try to squeeze a jack in the rear-end today to see if I can lift it up. It is a light colored fluid coming out.
How would I tell if it is overfilled? Is there a fill window with a fill line or something like that?
How would I tell if it is overfilled? Is there a fill window with a fill line or something like that?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 455
Likes: 2
From: manahawkin,nj
Re: Differential leak (jdetar)
My differential leak was noticed by me yesterday 42 mon. old 9000 miles.
Myadvice to everyone is to check the oil level in the diff.TODAY.
Just checked mine and found it to be overfilled 4 to5 oz. thats 7 to 8.5 % if I had done that sooner maybe I would not have a leak today. You need a 10mm hex wrench. Park on level ground no need to raise car fill plug is on back side of diff. at about 3 0clock remove plug oil should be even with the bottom of the hole. Note best if diff. is cool. If I had done this when the car was new maybe I would not have a leak today.
Jerry
Myadvice to everyone is to check the oil level in the diff.TODAY.
Just checked mine and found it to be overfilled 4 to5 oz. thats 7 to 8.5 % if I had done that sooner maybe I would not have a leak today. You need a 10mm hex wrench. Park on level ground no need to raise car fill plug is on back side of diff. at about 3 0clock remove plug oil should be even with the bottom of the hole. Note best if diff. is cool. If I had done this when the car was new maybe I would not have a leak today.
Jerry
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Re: Differential leak (LoneStarFRC)
The problem I had with mine was the driver's side differential housing cover. A new o-ring seal (with GM's red anaerobic sealant) was installed.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: New Smyrna Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'11
Re: Differential leak (MARK's_C5TT)
Had seal replaced three times and failed Chev. authorized dealer to replace complete carrier,replacement carrier imploded in Tenn. on my way to 50th, replaced again. Now I keep getting shocks inoperable and service magnetic ride codes new actuators insalled so far so good. The reason the seals would not seat properly.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,942
Likes: 7
From: Gaffney, S.C.
Re: Differential leak (DONZ06)
I was able to inspect the area today and there was so much oil blown around the area that I could not make a definate judgement as to the location of the leak. It definately is from the left side and it is either the axle seal or the side cover or both. I cleaned off the entire area with spray Brake Cleaner and will drive the car this weekend and see if the leak will show up in order to pinpoint the area. Is is strange that there was oil all over the place yet it only started dripping this past weekend on my garage. What really ticks me off is that I have been reading on this site for over a year before I purchased the car and knew of the potential of a differential leak but had every reason to expect that the problem had been cured on a 2003 model car. Had I known that the potential was there, I would have never purchased the vehicle. I feel that GM knew of this problem and I was sold a vehicle with a known defect. I intend to see an Attorney about this situation. 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?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 929
Likes: 1
From: West Palm Beach FL
Re: Differential leak (irfgt)
I do feel there were some definite known problems by reading on the history of the C5 problems and how there is such neligence as the differential problem, fuel gauge problem, among other smaller problems. It is quite annoying how GM continues to diesregard these known problems and don't have them fixed from the factory.
However, it will cost a lot of time and money to do a proper lawsuit and I wouldn't expect anything more than a settlement out of it because GM would not let this tarnish their big name in the media. I will stand beside you if you choose to go forward with this as I too am experiencing this problem first noted at 3,000 miles and yet to be fixed. But, I will not be able to help much in the funds department. I wish I could say try talking to someone at GM but the only way to make a company this big listen about these recurring issues is by someone fronting a TON of money to fund a well investigated class action lawsuit with some media backing it up.
However, it will cost a lot of time and money to do a proper lawsuit and I wouldn't expect anything more than a settlement out of it because GM would not let this tarnish their big name in the media. I will stand beside you if you choose to go forward with this as I too am experiencing this problem first noted at 3,000 miles and yet to be fixed. But, I will not be able to help much in the funds department. I wish I could say try talking to someone at GM but the only way to make a company this big listen about these recurring issues is by someone fronting a TON of money to fund a well investigated class action lawsuit with some media backing it up.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Jamestown NY
Re: Differential leak (irfgt)
My 99 is at the dealer as we speak to replace new seals. I had 9500 miles on it when I noticed the leak. The car is out of warranty, but contacted GM anyways for support to a known problem. Got no where fast. Obviously they are not concerned about the situation and know that this is a common problem. My concern is will it start to leak again after another 9000 miles is put on? If you do a search on this you will see there are numerous postings in this regard, and unfortunately reoccurence of the leak develops afterr time! :boxing
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: New Smyrna Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'11
Re: Differential leak (bellomo)
I failed to mention in my previous post I have filed a complaint under the Florida Lemon Law also have filed complaints with NHTSA and BBB and have been contacted by both. GM is to call me back Friday the 18th with some sort of resolution. My firm position is Buy Back.
[Modified by DONZ06, 8:55 PM 7/16/2003]
[Modified by DONZ06, 8:55 PM 7/16/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,133
Likes: 144
From: Ex-SF Bay Area; now happily Denver area
Re: Differential leak (DONZ06)
The dealer worked on mine twice under warranty and must have gotten it done the second time because it's been fine for about the last 20K miles.
