Oil seal treatment
Discussion
I have a leaking differential pinion oil seal on my motorhome, which I'll replace soon, but I need to use the MH next week.
Are these oil seal treatments, such as this type of thing worth any sort of consideration, as a very temporary option to slow the leak down, or are they just the snakiest of snake oils (pun intended)?
Are these oil seal treatments, such as this type of thing worth any sort of consideration, as a very temporary option to slow the leak down, or are they just the snakiest of snake oils (pun intended)?
I hadn't thought about that. It's a standard solid axle but there will be seals at both hubs of course. I don't need to do much more than about 150 miles before I can replace the pinion seal so I think I'll just top it up and monitor until I can change it.
Edited by CAPP0 on Wednesday 1st September 22:48
CAPP0 said:
I have a leaking differential pinion oil seal on my motorhome, which I'll replace soon, but I need to use the MH next week.
Are these oil seal treatments, such as this type of thing worth any sort of consideration, as a very temporary option to slow the leak down, or are they just the snakiest of snake oils (pun intended)?
All I can add is that I used Forte products professionally for years. I found their stuff very good, it does what it says on the tin.Are these oil seal treatments, such as this type of thing worth any sort of consideration, as a very temporary option to slow the leak down, or are they just the snakiest of snake oils (pun intended)?
I'm running up against a more fundamental issue now, which is to identify the axle type itself and thus the oil type and capacity! I dipped a finger in the filling hole (the oil level is about half an inch below currently, hence the loss through the seal) and what came out on my finger was thin and red - doesn't look, or smell, like any diff oil I've ever seen before! Very difficult to find comprehensive info.
CAPP0 said:
I'm running up against a more fundamental issue now, which is to identify the axle type itself and thus the oil type and capacity! I dipped a finger in the filling hole (the oil level is about half an inch below currently, hence the loss through the seal) and what came out on my finger was thin and red - doesn't look, or smell, like any diff oil I've ever seen before! Very difficult to find comprehensive info.
Could it be automatic trans fluid? 23.7 said:
CAPP0 said:
I'm running up against a more fundamental issue now, which is to identify the axle type itself and thus the oil type and capacity! I dipped a finger in the filling hole (the oil level is about half an inch below currently, hence the loss through the seal) and what came out on my finger was thin and red - doesn't look, or smell, like any diff oil I've ever seen before! Very difficult to find comprehensive info.
Could it be automatic trans fluid? CAPP0 said:
23.7 said:
CAPP0 said:
I'm running up against a more fundamental issue now, which is to identify the axle type itself and thus the oil type and capacity! I dipped a finger in the filling hole (the oil level is about half an inch below currently, hence the loss through the seal) and what came out on my finger was thin and red - doesn't look, or smell, like any diff oil I've ever seen before! Very difficult to find comprehensive info.
Could it be automatic trans fluid? paintman said:
What do the manufacturers recommend for the axle on the vehicle?
This is the problem - I just can’t find a definitive answer to that anywhere. Surely a diff has to run a hypoid oil? I might try calling a Ford truck branch and ask them. I’m 99% sure it’s a Dana S80 axle, which is very widely used in American trucks, but I still keep finding different answers. Re the comment about draining it - me too! But I have to confirm what goes back in!
Mostly sorted now, I managed to speak to the mechanic who looked after it before I bought it. He's confirmed that the oil is 75W140, and that it's red, so that covers that part, and I also talked through changing the pinion seal with him, it's a pretty straightforward job so I'll be having a go at that in the next week or two. Thanks everyone for the input, much appreciated
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