Differential Vent/Breather

[WIL35]

Hello all! A quick question if I may:

Does the diferential have a vent or 'breather' on it? If so, is it possible to access it, to give it a clean with the diff in situ?

I used to get a film of oil over the exhaust box which gave off the burning oil aroma, this stopped recently so I checked the diff oil level and had to top it up with a 1/4 of a litre. Now the oily film has returned, as has the smell!!

[N1CERB]

I can only reply with reagrds to an Atlas axle which when fitted with remote breather can easily be cleaned out. They will be very obvious to see and at the top of the diff casing. Not had a look under the Cerb yet, so cant be more specific.

I need to get my hands on one of these manuals I hear talk of?

Cheers

[brummiewedge]

Check your rear diff mount bolts if they are loose they leak..Bin there.

[WIL35]

brummiewedge said:

Check your rear diff mount bolts if they are loose they leak..Bin there.

Hmmm, funny you should say that, I'm getting a bit of 'clunking', which I thought may be down to worn diff mounts.

Are the mounts most accessible from underneath or through the wheelarches?

[brummiewedge]

Underneath. Allen bolts, you will need to get her on ramps at least, i put a bit of sealant/locking goo on them, now fine.

[Chimjunkie]

Got the same diff leak you speak of! Very annoying because of the smell. Taking the car back to a dealer for the 3rd time on this issue. Proving difficult to fix it would seem...

[WIL35]

The dealer I went to said that if it was the propshaft oil seal, the diff would have to come out and be sent somewhere for it to be replaced! Not sure if that is right, but I want to try all other options first.

Looks like I'll have to get it in the air this weekend, although nothing looks particularly accessible in that area.

Would be interested to know how you get on chimjunkie.

[MackemPete]

I was told by an indie that if the diff oil is filled too high it gets thrown out of the breather. They modified my breather when they were replacing a diff seal and the top bush, to prevent it happening.

[Chimjunkie]

The dealer first though it was the drive shaft seal. This was changed but made no difference. The annoying thing is that the diff was taken off for new gaiters and top bush at the same time. Got to come off again now for the breather mod...

[brummiewedge]

What is the so called mod? I am having my diff out to change the gearing, so while i'm there....

[TooTall Paul]

Mine has a oil pump and radiator to cool the oil, from what i understand it used to spray oil out all over the backend of the car when pushing it hard.

[abishop1]

I have the same problem . I have just had the seals replaced on the diff by austec and i am still getting oil dripping on the exhaust.

[jesfirth]

mine too-I keep it topped up and it drips oil but what do you expect its british

[Cyclone1]

jesfirth said:

mine too-I keep it topped up and it drips oil but what do you expect its british

Australian.

Overfilling causes it to escape via the breather. Although a lot of diffs have slight leaks, in which case you need to keep an eye on the level and top up when required.

Replacing or having it refurbed doesn't always result in a leak free diff either. One of those quirks worth putting up with as a new diff is over £1k and a refurbed unit is around £600, then there's the labour to remove and refit them and don't forget that whilst it's out you need to replace the bushes......the top one being a b*tch to remove.

Jules.

[_Neal_]

How do you check the oil level of the diff? - done a search but can't find anything other than that the driver's side wheel needs to be jacked up - what's the procedure for actually checking and for topping up if required?
Cheers
Neal

[WIL35]

_Neal_ said:

How do you check the oil level of the diff? - done a search but can't find anything other than that the driver's side wheel needs to be jacked up - what's the procedure for actually checking and for topping up if required?
Cheers
Neal

I got to mine from underneath, there's a large (>20mm) bolt on the driver's side of the diff. Undo that, if nothing dribbles out then it probably needs a top up.

Found it quite tricky to get the diff oil bottle in the right position with all the chassis tubes in the way. Used an older gear oil bottle with a longer filler pipe. Squeeze the bottle until the oil starts running out of the hole, then try and get the bolt back in while oil drips everywhere!

[_Neal_]

That's great - thanks