Diff oil leak

[Thunderroad]

Hi All,
I have been getting a very strong gear oil smell from my cerb after a run, upon investigation it looks like the oil is coming out from somewhere on top of the diff? And dripping on the exhaust. Is there a breather up there or could this be a seal thats failed?



And secondly, i couldn't get the filler plug off to top up due to it being a bit rounded off, does anyone know what is the correct size spanner for this plug? I have been using a 29mm but think it may be too big, so before i go out and buy a 28mm just thought i would ask, perhaps its imperial? Can't get a socket on it due to chassis being in the way.

And finally, does anyone know who sells these filler plugs as i think it may be a good idea to replace it once i get it out.
Thanks in advance,
Simon.

[Thunderroad]

Sorry to be a pain but, could you first read my post, and then do a handstand to look at the pictures!
As it would apear the pistonheads picture downloader has inverted my images!

[ukkid35]

Thanks for reminding me that I really need to check my diff oil - much appreciated.

[gruffalo]

You can probably get a plug from Readman Racing, not sure what size they are though sorry.

[Mr Cerbera]

Hope this helps

[Thunderroad]

Thanks Gruffalo, i will check that out.
Mr Cerbera, you seem to have done it all before!... Great link, answered all my questions. Many thanks.
And Ukkid35........ Well, if my post has Been a positive for you i take that as a great compliment, as you always seem to be on here offering your advice to others!

Thanks fella's.

[TwinKam]

Thunderroad said:

Thanks Gruffalo, i will check that out.
Mr Cerbera, you seem to have done it all before!... Great link, answered all my questions. Many thanks.

...apart from likely cause of leak!
I suffer from the same so will be interested to hear how you get on. I imagine there is a breather up top but haven't managed to find it yet, Does anyone have a good pic of the top of the diff out of the car?

[Boatbuoy]

Breather can be seen in the top right of my before and after diff refurb pic:

[Boatbuoy]

Although the breathers do have a tenancy to allow some oil out, it could be one of your output seals that is causing the leak. In the pics above you can see how much fluid mine had let out. This was traced to the output shaft seals. I replaced mine but they still leaked, which is down to the old seal wearing a groove in the shaft itself. I've just had mine re-sealed by Grantura Engineering/Readman Racing, which involved polishing out the groove, a job which they are very familiar with.

[Thunderroad]

Ok. Firstly, thanks for everyones help with this.

Finally got around to looking at this again with my nice shiny new 29mm spanner! For the fill nut.
After a little persuasion the fill nut was off, which meant i could now drain the diff oil. Eeek! Somebody please tell me this is normal!!!

So, time to pretend i never saw that, and replace the drain plug (which was totally clear of any nasty bits) and fill with new diff oil...... thinking happy thoughts.

My diff took 1.55 ltrs of oil to fill from empty to full, i measured the amount of old oil at 1.35 ltrs. While this supports my suspicions that i had lost some oil (200ml) out of the breather on top of the diff. TVR manual states 1.6 ltrs so 'happy days'.

[Poopdog]

My car has done 37k and my diff oil was that colour so I presume that's about right, where did you find the best place to get your Morrisons diff oil?, your cerb looks the dogs danglies by the way!, have you any pics of the front grill as I want to do that to mine?

[pmessling]

Looks normal to me. Stuff has a very unique smell that is horrible.

[Thunderroad]

Morning guys,

Thanks for you reassurance, yes, looks like there is a bit of wear going on, but nice to know its around about acceptable levels. And yes Peter it 'stinks a very unique stink' thats what alerted me to the leak!...... PoooooooooWeeeeeee! (No smiley for stink).

Hi Poopdog, i got the oil from rectech last year, About £16 per bottle, you can probably get it a couple of quid cheaper online but for the sake of a couple of quid i would rather have someone on the end of the phone thats going to help me out if my order goes wrong, than having to send e-mails to an un-manned e-mail account. Besides if we don't support these independants one company will end up with the monopoly, and that normally ends up with only one result!!!!!

Thanks for the compliment by the way, the grill was on there when i bought it so i'm not sure where it came from. I believe it was a bespoke part, its a bit of a marmite thing, some people hate it but i don't mind it. Like most modifications, if its done well they normally look ok but when not, they tend to look shocking!

I'll take some more pictures of it for you, in fact i think i'll start a new 'modifications' thread and put it on there.

[Mr Cerbera]

Mate, I think you need a few more beers.

You've crossed your answers on at least two threads

Keep up the good work

[Thunderroad]

Mr Cerbera said:

Mate, I think you need a few more beers.

You've crossed your answers on at least two threads

Keep up the good work

Always room for more beer!

Hmmm i can't see where you mean? Pray tell? So i can correct it!

Thanks for the 's' by the way, spent ages trying to change that can't edit titles!!!!