Topic: Mystery leak at rear of car (Read 5813 times)

tunnie · « **on:** 06 September 2006, 17:13:20 »

Big thanks to Pete for suggesting TFR to clean up the back diff, came up a treat.

Problem is, i don't think that is the leak. - After cleaning wiping the diff clean, the oil was jet back and very thick and encrusted.

The fluid leaking from the back last night was a very clear orange / browny colour, which is very strong if you smell it. Its very hard to describe but its very pundgent and has a 'burnt' smell to it. It does not smell like regualar engine oil, or brake fluid. Its colour suggested it might have been, but the smell is very different.

What colour would the oil be in a diff, thats very old? - I suspect mine has never been changed, but I can't imagine it being a very clear organge / brown.

The leak seams to be comming from the rear drivers side almost directly under the back seat area, i suspect its not my diff thats leaking but what else could it be?

Oh btw, the diff itself seamed in great shape, the prop itself and were it enters the diff was all fine and dry as a bone. As were the axel studs which went out to drive the rear wheels. The moved back and forth but not side to side, all the rubber seals going into the diff were dry and looked in good conidtion.

Any ideas on the mystery leak?

Thanks

CaptainZok · « **Reply #1 on:** 06 September 2006, 17:14:44 »

Might be a daft idea Tunnie but could it be something coming from inside the car?

tunnie · « **Reply #2 on:** 06 September 2006, 17:19:27 »

Quote

Might be a daft idea Tunnie but could it be something coming from inside the car?

Possible, the smell of the leaking fluid is very strong so i think i would notice it inside the car.

I have not carried any liquids in the car for ages, got my active sub in the boot. Various bottles of water and other bits in the boot, but they are in a blue stacker.

I guess its possible, but can't think what it would be.

nixoro · « **Reply #3 on:** 06 September 2006, 17:26:37 »

It wouldn't be rear shock fluid as its in that general area.

Just a guess.

Scrap that Idea just looked at the piccy in your other thread.

tunnie · « **Reply #4 on:** 06 September 2006, 17:48:37 »

Quote

It wouldn't be rear shock fluid as its in that general area.

Just a guess.

Scrap that Idea just looked at the piccy in your other thread.

Acutally, don't. I thought that was the area before i left the tray under the car.... but it seams to drip away from the diff.

Something i did't think of... thanks nixoro.

Something to take another look off, and thats smack bang on the area it could be. Also Jaime mentioned that my rear shocks were on their way out...

nixoro · « **Reply #5 on:** 06 September 2006, 17:51:39 »

Quote

Quote
It wouldn't be rear shock fluid as its in that general area.

Just a guess.

Scrap that Idea just looked at the piccy in your other thread.

Acutally, don't. I thought that was the area before i left the tray under the car.... but it seams to drip away from the diff.

Something i did't think of... thanks nixoro.

Something to take another look off, and thats smack bang on the area it could be. Also Jaime mentioned that my rear shocks were on their way out...

You've got me thinking too now, could you let us know if it is this, only I shall be checking mine tonight what with the MOT tomorrow.

tunnie · « **Reply #6 on:** 06 September 2006, 17:55:12 »

Hehe.... made me wonder as well.

It would explain why the leaking oil is so clear, its also not comming from the diff area which was all black.

Its defo in the right area to be that, might take another look tonight.

nixoro · « **Reply #7 on:** 06 September 2006, 17:58:47 »

I think I maybe lucky as the diff was coated in black stuff but I cleaned it off and haven't seen anymore from it but will be checking to be on the safe side

CaptainZok · « **Reply #8 on:** 06 September 2006, 18:01:54 »

How about bouncing the rsend of the car, may generate some more oil to give you a chance of spotting the leak.

tunnie · « **Reply #9 on:** 06 September 2006, 18:06:34 »

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How about bouncing the rsend of the car, may generate some more oil to give you a chance of spotting the leak.

Good idea!

CaptainZok · « **Reply #10 on:** 06 September 2006, 18:42:46 »

Anyone else got a vision of Tunnie jumping about like a loonie in his boot trying to generate an oil leak?

tunnie · « **Reply #11 on:** 06 September 2006, 18:48:46 »

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Anyone else got a vision of Tunnie jumping about like a loonie in his boot trying to generate an oil leak?

Maybe i should make a video with some silly music in the background....

And a Mirror angled down to look underneath the car

zoltron · « **Reply #12 on:** 06 September 2006, 18:49:25 »

I would give the rear shocks careful consideration, that why I replaced mine last week. I had a wierd leak coming from the back but could not find it then when removing the rear wheel, to check the brake pads I found the shock was well knackered, the oil coming from it smelt foul. So I changed em both. Leak stopped..

http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1154032385/0

check that out that is my knackered shock, and if you look at the road you can see the oil leak from it when I sometimes park the wrong way round on the road.

STMO123 · « **Reply #13 on:** 06 September 2006, 18:52:24 »

Might be the hypoid oil from the diff

tunnie · « **Reply #14 on:** 06 September 2006, 18:55:05 »

Quote

I would give the rear shocks careful consideration, that why I replaced mine last week. I had a wierd leak coming from the back but could not find it then when removing the rear wheel, to check the brake pads I found the shock was well knackered, the oil coming from it smelt foul. So I changed em both. Leak stopped..

Sounds like my problem, foul smelling leak too.

STMO what colour is really old hypoid oil? - Also it seams like the leak is not from the diff, its inbetween the diff and the drivers side rear wheel. Which would suggest the shocks

tunnie · « **Reply #15 on:** 06 September 2006, 18:57:01 »

just checked out your thread zoltron, don't think mine is that bad.... but i'll investigate that.

STMO123 · « **Reply #16 on:** 06 September 2006, 19:00:21 »

I dont know exactly which oil is used in differentials these days BUT...when I worked in the rear axle section of Vx at ellesmere port(a long time ago) the oil we used was thick, dark brown and very smelly!

TheBoy · « **Reply #17 on:** 06 September 2006, 19:39:30 »

Fuel filter of fuel line leak? Picking up old grime on the way, causing it to go a bit oily?

zoltron · « **Reply #18 on:** 06 September 2006, 21:22:32 »

Quote

just checked out your thread zoltron, don't think mine is that bad.... but i'll investigate that.

Mine wasn't that bad to start, then all suddenly it was everywhere. I thought my leak was my diff and took no notice until one day i saw loads and thought oh s**t, my diff is dead by it was the shocks all along

tunnie · « **Reply #19 on:** 06 September 2006, 22:54:49 »

Quote

Fuel filter of fuel line leak? Picking up old grime on the way, causing it to go a bit oily?

Fuel filter is dry, I saw that underneath the car when i was inspecing it. (remember seeing one that you replaced)

Tonight i have put the tray between the back drivers side wheel and the diff, so see what happes in the morning..

CaptainZok · « **Reply #20 on:** 06 September 2006, 23:08:02 »

Did you get a look at the shock in question see if there were any drips around it?

STMO123 · « **Reply #21 on:** 07 September 2006, 07:25:25 »

Quote

Quote
Fuel filter of fuel line leak? Picking up old grime on the way, causing it to go a bit oily?

Fuel filter is dry, I saw that underneath the car when i was inspecing it. (remember seeing one that you replaced)

Tonight i have put the tray between the back drivers side wheel and the diff, so see what happes in the morning..

In the morning? This is the morning Tunnie, not when you get up

Allenm · « **Reply #22 on:** 07 September 2006, 10:14:03 »

Quote

The fluid leaking from the back last night was a very clear orange / browny colour, which is very strong if you smell it. Its very hard to describe but its very pundgent and has a 'burnt' smell to it. Any ideas on the mystery leak?

Thanks

Come on Tunnie... orange, pungent .... did you get a bit nervous when Theboy was driving!

tunnie · « **Reply #23 on:** 07 September 2006, 11:18:50 »

Quote

Quote
The fluid leaking from the back last night was a very clear orange / browny colour, which is very strong if you smell it. Its very hard to describe but its very pundgent and has a 'burnt' smell to it. Any ideas on the mystery leak?

Thanks

Come on Tunnie... orange, pungent .... did you get a bit nervous when Theboy was driving!

It probably all slid to the back when he got a wiggle on a S bend on some country lanes near here

nixoro · « **Reply #24 on:** 07 September 2006, 11:28:43 »

Had a look at mine and could'nt see how it could be shock fluid although I was thinking could it be a cracked brake line weeping. again another guess but I think they run above the Dif unit.

TheBoy · « **Reply #25 on:** 07 September 2006, 11:37:48 »

Good point, seeing as tunnie did bleed brakes recently. Are the nipples properly done up?

tunnie · « **Reply #26 on:** 07 September 2006, 11:49:43 »

** Update - Found the drip point **

Well.... i cleaned all the diff area up as best i could yesterday. I also did 2 late night runs picking relatives up and put a tray under it as soon as i got back, I can now see were its dripping down, but not really the cause.

On the drivers side of the diff I can see what looks like a bracket, which supports the weight of the diff. It has 3 nuts which hold it in place, its dripping from the corner of this bracket:

The Leak:

The Diff:

nixoro · « **Reply #27 on:** 07 September 2006, 11:57:27 »

Perhaps a gasket under the bracket has deteriorated causing the leak.

Not sure why it would leak from here if its just a bracket attached to take the weight of the dif unit.

tunnie · « **Reply #28 on:** 07 September 2006, 12:18:00 »

not sure myself were its comming from

nixoro · « **Reply #29 on:** 07 September 2006, 12:24:56 »

As mentioned earlier is there any brake lines above the dif might be worth checking if there is for any leaks.

STMO123 · « **Reply #30 on:** 07 September 2006, 12:29:05 »

It,s probably not actually leaking from there, just that that's the lowest point so will drip from there.

tunnie · « **Reply #31 on:** 07 September 2006, 12:43:28 »

ok just had another look, can't see any brake pipes.

It i can now see a similar drip comming from the bottom of the diff itself

Its almost dripping at the point were i drew that arrow, the oil is still an orange colour, and very smelly

mr des · « **Reply #32 on:** 07 September 2006, 18:43:41 »

engine degreaser will actualy clean the diff back to clean metal and make it much easier to see whats goin on

it could be run off from somewhere else. have you tested it compared to the diff oil ie taken out bung?

tunnie · « **Reply #33 on:** 07 September 2006, 19:34:11 »

Quote

engine degreaser will actualy clean the diff back to clean metal and make it much easier to see whats goin on it could be run off from somewhere else. have you tested it compared to the diff oil ie taken out bung?

Not yet, I did see the bung when underneath the car but too scared to take it out!

I tryed some of that Traffic Film Remover on the diff, it took some of the oil off. But some of the incrusted stuff is still on it, i need a presure washer with one of those angeled jets to really clean it up.

Also noticed today its dripping directly off the buttom sump of the diff

How worried should I be? It seams a very slow leak, only noticed it due to my grandparents shinny new drive. - It was parked in the same place for 3 days and got about 3 spots each about the size of a 5p coin.

There are no noises from the diff, or odd sounds. The ride in the back is still very smooth, and no vibration though the seat on accerleration or general driving.

TheBoy · « **Reply #34 on:** 07 September 2006, 19:43:09 »

Whilst it still has sufficient oil in, shouldn't be a prob. When it runs low, BIG prob...

TheBoy · « **Reply #35 on:** 07 September 2006, 19:43:52 »

btw, as you know, I have some gunk in garage...

GaryB · « **Reply #36 on:** 07 September 2006, 19:44:14 »

It sounds as though it is hypoid gear oil from the diff - it does smell much as you described - if no nasty noises yet, then probably a seal on the way out and hopefully not too expensive yet. A few years ago I needed a recon diff fitted to my 2 litre carlton - not too much (~£200 iirc) :-/, but you probably want to check your oil level first, top up if necessary and adopot the old brithish bikers' trip of taking the drip tray around with you

.

I don't know how much pain is involved in refitting seals to the meega diff (probably some quite high torque values), a swap might be easier, and I am sure that somebody else would know better......

GB

tunnie · « **Reply #37 on:** 07 September 2006, 19:54:26 »

Quote

btw, as you know, I have some gunk in garage...

Yeah cheers, might try some of that to clean it up some more.

I think Gary and others are going to be right, and its a diff seal.

The 2 stub axels that come off to drive the wheels look good, i can see the rubber seals and they all look fine.

So it might be the seal that has the prop going into it.

How easy a job is replacing the seal?? - I hope you can get one from Vaux withouth buying a whole new diff!!

Matchless · « **Reply #38 on:** 07 September 2006, 21:49:16 »

From the photo I think it is the pinion (input) shaft seal. The oil will be thrown outwards by the rotation of the propshaft and will coat the floor pan and exhaust in line with the prop shaft - diff flange.

Give the whole area a really good clean and you should be able to see where it is coming from.

I will try to post the guide to changing the seal tomorrow.

tunnie · « **Reply #39 on:** 07 September 2006, 22:31:33 »

Quote

From the photo I think it is the pinion (input) shaft seal. The oil will be thrown outwards by the rotation of the propshaft and will coat the floor pan and exhaust in line with the prop shaft - diff flange.

Give the whole area a really good clean and you should be able to see where it is coming from.

I will try to post the guide to changing the seal tomorrow.

Cheers for that, might borrow some JUNK of Jaime and see if that brings it up.

Matchless · « **Reply #40 on:** 08 September 2006, 14:43:48 »

Pinion shaft seal replacement now covered in the Maintainance section.

tunnie · « **Reply #41 on:** 08 September 2006, 17:34:58 »

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Pinion shaft seal replacement now covered in the Maintainance section.

Cheers for that, although it looks way past my skill level

Auto Addict · « **Reply #42 on:** 08 September 2006, 17:42:12 »

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Quote
Pinion shaft seal replacement now covered in the Maintainance section.

Cheers for that, although it looks way past my skill level

At your age it shouldn't be, at my age yes.

But I understand what your saying, it's always nice to have some support on a job like that.

tunnie · « **Reply #43 on:** 08 September 2006, 22:09:53 »

Quote

Quote
Quote
Pinion shaft seal replacement now covered in the Maintainance section.

Cheers for that, although it looks way past my skill level

At your age it shouldn't be, at my age yes.

But I understand what your saying, it's always nice to have some support on a job like that.

I wonder if anyone has changed a diff seal in the camping area of Santa Pod

Auto Addict · « **Reply #44 on:** 09 September 2006, 08:16:35 »

Quote

Quote
Quote
Quote
Pinion shaft seal replacement now covered in the Maintainance section.

Cheers for that, although it looks way past my skill level

At your age it shouldn't be, at my age yes.

But I understand what your saying, it's always nice to have some support on a job like that.

I wonder if anyone has changed a diff seal in the camping area of Santa Pod

There you are then, the perfect solution.

tunnie · « **Reply #45 on:** 09 September 2006, 11:23:31 »

should be enough experts from up norf to advise

Also the leak is very slow, so should be ok to last until then.

Just depends what parts i need?

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Author Topic: Mystery leak at rear of car (Read 5813 times)

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