Frount diff broken?

[MiSh]

I have a 91 terrano and there is a fair amount of lightly brown coloured liquiq leaking from the frount diff. WHATS WRONG

[Precise1]

You have a leak...

Sounds like nasty oil gear oil, does it stink ?

Did you hit something with the diff ??

Where exactly is it leaking from ?

 

B

[MiSh]

smell alittle bit. Its leaking right at the bottom in the middle. About how much does it cost to repair (at mecahnics) i just wanna know how much so i dont get ripped off.

Also there a tick,tick,tick noise (like a clock) coming from above it after i take it for a drive. Dont know if that has anything to do with it

[94extreme]

tick, tick is your exhaust manifold leaking..

 

if the fluid doesn't smell strong it's probably not the differential.. look harder to make sure.. the fluid should either be honey like or black (like very used motor oil) and smelling very strong..

Edited October 7, 2005 by mzxtreme

[MiSh]

its not used motor oil cause its not that black. Its sort of honey like

[MiSh]

I guess it could be coming down from the motor (frount) and just building up on the bottom of the diff making it look like its coming from there. Also there is some oil at teh frount of teh diff on the left side

[94extreme]

I guess it could be coming down from the motor (frount) and just building up on the bottom of the diff making it look like its coming from there. Also there is some oil at teh frount of teh diff on the left side

that makes me think even more it's coming from somewhere else.. check around valve covers.. look straight above or a bit towards the front of the location where you're finding oil.. if there is any above any diff gaskets then it's somewhere above..

[Precise1]

I second the 'look for other places'. The center if the diff just may be where it is collecting. To try to isolate, find any area on the motor that seems to be weeping/leaking. Take a rag and clean below the leak as well as possible (some brake cleaner can help) then use a wire brush (screw driver in a pinch) and try to get most of the crud off. That way a leak will run and leave a trail, rather than difuse and blend in. You need to find the true source first, its worth the effort.

 

B

[geordie4x4]

MiSh

Re: Oil leaks from near front diff

I have a spare front diff out of my car at the moment that I am trying to fit a locker into and it is a very solid piece of gear. It is not very likely to leak from damage. The gasket around the front cover is metal and held by about 10 bolts it is not likely to leak.

 

Start by taking off the bash plate, lift the bonnet for some light, get a torch and maybe even a small mirror.

 

1. There is a rubber breather hose at the front of the diff that could possibly split or pull off the metal tube running along the front cross member and up to the engine bay.

 

2. the diff could leak from the axle seal on the side of the diff, shorter shaft close to diff centre (passengers side in Australian version).

 

3. if you have an auto gearbox, check the oil cooler hoses running to the bottom of the radiator (but that oil would be thin red oil)

 

4. As yours is a turbo diesel, you could have a leak from above the diff look at the following areas:

 

a) there is a vacuum pump on the back of the alternator with an oil pressure supply hose and larger diameter return hose below, running down to the sump, Mine was leaking from there

 

the oil filter and turbo are both located above the diff so there could be a leak from a turbo oil hose

 

c) after an oil change it is not uncommon for new clean oil to have been spilled on the top of the diff when re-installing the filter (which should have been pre-filled with clean oil) the filter has to be laid on the side to get it past the heat shield below the turbo and into the space below the oil pump (@!*% of a job on mine). Spilled oil often collects on the ribs at the side of the front diff directly below the oil filter and drips of the back left side of the diff near the exhaust.

 

Have a look with a torch down the turbo-side of the motor before worrying about the diff. You can also remove the left side wheel and lift the rubber inside the fender for a better view (but don’t break the little plastic clips that hold the rubber). Have fun, there is not much room down there.

 

I hope it is nothing too serious, I have had several minor leaks that required nothing other than tightening a hose clamp.

 

If it is a diff, I might have a spare one for sale cheap soon.

 

Oh and the tick, tick could just be the hot motor or turbo cooling down (that is if you hear it when the motor is off and you are underneath looking for a leak).

 

Geordie

Edited October 7, 2005 by geordie4x4

[MiSh]

Thanks alot gerodie