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oil gone from differential
Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 12:31 am
by tonflo
I finally checked my center diff oil today (I've noticed a whirring noise from transmission area on long hilly rides lately). It was a half quart low. There have never been any leaks on the bottom of the car or drips on the floor. Where the hell could it have gone? The only crud I've ever noticed was a lot of black gunk down the driver's side of the tranny when it was on a lift ~5mon. ago. I degreased that then and haven't seen any since, but it is tough to get under there w/o a lift. Tranny is an auto if that matters. Please advise, guesses ok
Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 1:54 am
by vrg3
Do you mean front differential fluid? The center "differential" in a 4EAT is operated by ATF pressure.
When did you last check the fluid before today? It's possible that it's been a little low for a long time...
Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 2:59 am
by tonflo
Front, center, whatever. The one that takes gear oil with the short dipstick on the passenger side.
Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 4:35 pm
by vrg3
Yeah, that's the front differential dipstick.
When did you last check the fluid?
Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:43 am
by tonflo
Haven't checked it in a few yrs. Last time it was touched was ~3 yrs ago when the dealer chaned both diff oils & trans fluid. I don't check unless I see wet spots under car or drips on the ground. Either it is going somewhere realy slowly or it never got topped up last time.
Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 5:05 am
by vrg3
Hmm, it seems to me that half a quart could easily leak out over 3 years almost completely unnoticed. It probably seeps out around one of the seals at the axles or at the drain plug.
I wouldn't be worried about such a small loss... Just check the fluid every couple months if you want to be super safe.