I need a little help with oil leak...

[upallnight]

The old fashion Hypoid gear oil in days gone bye stunk really bad, but the new synthetic oil doesn't stink as bad.

[Scott ZHP]

Originally Posted by upallnight

The old fashion Hypoid gear oil in days gone bye stunk really bad, but the new synthetic oil doesn't stink as bad.

Hmmm... every synthetic GL5 gear oil I've ever used (Mobil 1, Redline, Amsoil, Royal Purple) smells foul. The difference between motor oil and gear oil in terms of smell should be obvious. If it doesn't reek, it's motor oil.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by Scott ZHP

Hmmm... every synthetic GL5 gear oil I've ever used (Mobil 1, Redline, Amsoil, Royal Purple) smells foul. The difference between motor oil and gear oil in terms of smell should be obvious. If it doesn't reek, it's motor oil.

Typically been my experience as well. Not a HORRIBLE smell... but definitely not the same as regular motor oil.

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by Sundevil

I am also having a "mysterious" leak in the same location. Over the weekend I cleaned everything off and then let the motor run for a while and rev'd the engine. did this a couple times and no leak. Then drove the car a little and the leak was on the garage floor. Mine is dripping off the housing and through the first opening in the metal skid plate. My only concern is that I thought differential oil is incredibly smelly and me and my wife (she was very pleased when I asked her to smell my finger) thought it didn't smell. I pulled the dip stick and we both concluded that the oil smelled completely different. Is there any other way to verify motor oil vs. differential oil? Or am I over thinking this and should I just replace the seals?

The fact that the oil is leaking from the same location as in the picture and the fact that both you and your wife were able to determine that the engine oil was not the same smell as the oil on the floor, that will leave you to the obvious conclusion that it is differential (Gear Oil) oil.

There's a procedure in Bentley in which the cv joint is not removed from the spindle/upright, but the entire upright and axle is removed from the car. The differential seal and the leaky o-ring can then be changed.

[Sundevil]

Thanks Upallnight,

I already went to the dealership and picked up the seals you recommended. The guy at the parts department also concurred with your diagnosis and said that he has seen this specific leak before and was not surprised. I am confused by the last part of your previous post (about how to fix it). My plan was just to pull the entire passenger axle, unbolt the upright and replace the seal. Is there a different way to do it?

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by Sundevil

Thanks Upallnight,

I already went to the dealership and picked up the seals you recommended. The guy at the parts department also concurred with your diagnosis and said that he has seen this specific leak before and was not surprised. I am confused by the last part of your previous post (about how to fix it). My plan was just to pull the entire passenger axle, unbolt the upright and replace the seal. Is there a different way to do it?

That is the correct way to replace the o-ring and seal. Most people would pull the axle out of the spindle/upright and remove the axle, but if you leave the axle bolted to the spindle/upright you don't need to mess with the axle nut that holds the CV joint to the hub.

[Sundevil]

Originally Posted by upallnight

That is the correct way to replace the o-ring and seal. Most people would pull the axle out of the spindle/upright and remove the axle, but if you leave the axle bolted to the spindle/upright you don't need to mess with the axle nut that holds the CV joint to the hub.

I thought the axle on the Passenger/rightside was long so it could go through the oil pan? Are you saying I can pull it with out removing it from the wheel hub?

[upallnight]

Yes, you will have to remove the entire upright/spindle from the strut, but the axle can still be bolted to the hub. The procedure is outlined in Bentley for replacing the differential seal.

[Sundevil]

Hi guys,

I put the new seals in over the weekend and drove around and it appears my small leak is gone (fingers crossed). I also noticed that when I pulled the axle out I lost a lot more differential fluid. When I finished and removed the fill plug for the front differential a lot more fluid came out. I think that part of my problem was that the differential was over filled (from previous owner).

Thanks for the help.

[upallnight]

Thanks for coming back and reporting on your results and fix. So you replaced the o-ring and differential seal, correct? Was the differential oil really smelly like the old Hypoid gear oil of the past?