Diff Leak
#21
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
OK, thank you for the reply.
A friend of mine is a mechanic so I will watch as he does it, and take pictures along the way
so that I can document this and hopefully it can act as a guide for those who may be facing a similar predicament.
I'm hoping to bring it to his garage sometime next week. I've already warned him that he may have a 'fun' time accessing the breather because of the sway bar. If for some reason it proves too difficult, I will just fill it up with more axle fluid as I'm starting to worry about it's level. I will likely drain and refill both the Supercharger and the Power Steering fluid resevoirs while he's under the car, and clean the MAFs, too.
I only bought the car in July 2012 and I could smell something from under the car. Of course, it didn't happen until a few weeks after I bought the car lol. When I looked underneath I could see it was wet around the differential. I'm hoping its the breather thats plugged and forcing fluid through the seals as was suggested it usually is. I only drive the car on the weekends, and now that it is Winter and it won't be on the road at all I can take my time.
A friend of mine is a mechanic so I will watch as he does it, and take pictures along the way
so that I can document this and hopefully it can act as a guide for those who may be facing a similar predicament.
I'm hoping to bring it to his garage sometime next week. I've already warned him that he may have a 'fun' time accessing the breather because of the sway bar. If for some reason it proves too difficult, I will just fill it up with more axle fluid as I'm starting to worry about it's level. I will likely drain and refill both the Supercharger and the Power Steering fluid resevoirs while he's under the car, and clean the MAFs, too.
I only bought the car in July 2012 and I could smell something from under the car. Of course, it didn't happen until a few weeks after I bought the car lol. When I looked underneath I could see it was wet around the differential. I'm hoping its the breather thats plugged and forcing fluid through the seals as was suggested it usually is. I only drive the car on the weekends, and now that it is Winter and it won't be on the road at all I can take my time.
Thanks
#22
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Just an update to those still subscribed to this thread.
I will be taking the car in this Thursday or Friday to my friend's garage to hopefully change out the diff breather and add more fluid, and a few other maintenance tasks if time permits.
Full documentation in the form of photos & video with accompanying write-up to follow.
I will be taking the car in this Thursday or Friday to my friend's garage to hopefully change out the diff breather and add more fluid, and a few other maintenance tasks if time permits.
Full documentation in the form of photos & video with accompanying write-up to follow.
#23
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Just an update to those still subscribed to this thread.
I will be taking the car in this Thursday or Friday to my friend's garage to hopefully change out the diff breather and add more fluid, and a few other maintenance tasks if time permits.
Full documentation in the form of photos & video with accompanying write-up to follow.
I will be taking the car in this Thursday or Friday to my friend's garage to hopefully change out the diff breather and add more fluid, and a few other maintenance tasks if time permits.
Full documentation in the form of photos & video with accompanying write-up to follow.
I am very curious to see if the breather is removed by simply removing the circlip from outside, or whether it's required to remove the finned differential case in order to remove the breather from behind the case.
Looking forward to your findings
![Smile](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#24
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'm all ready to go as you can tell from the pic below, just waiting to hear when there will be an empty hoist to bring it in. I bought 2 litres of gear oil (second one has the gloves hanging off it) and some degreaser to clean the oil off the rest of the diff. so it will be easier to determing if it's fixed properly. I hope to have time to clean the throttle body and replace the Supercharger fluid, too.
![](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/attachments/xj-xj6-xjr6-x300-26/29750d1357768030-diff-leak-maintenanceitems.jpg)
#25
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
looks like you are all set ![Smile](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I have never read the specs on that oil,.. is it GL5 spec and does it have the "extreme pressure" rating on it?
my best guess is that the breather fits like the ascii drawing below .. (but I have to emphasize, this is a guess at best and not meant to provide instructions or directions)
+---|]
|
|
|
|
where "]" is the cap, "|" is the lid and "---" is the short part of the breather, and "+" is the O ring. The 4 "|" lines are meant to show the long part of the breather that ends in the angel cut.
The long part with the angle cut end would be inside the differential housing but I am not sure if it points up/down/sideways/in an angle, etc
If this theory is correct, I am not sure if the breather assembly would come out if you remove the circlip.. if anything, it may just fall inside, so be careful.
this has become the most exciting shared investigative topic on this forum
![Smile](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I have never read the specs on that oil,.. is it GL5 spec and does it have the "extreme pressure" rating on it?
my best guess is that the breather fits like the ascii drawing below .. (but I have to emphasize, this is a guess at best and not meant to provide instructions or directions)
+---|]
|
|
|
|
where "]" is the cap, "|" is the lid and "---" is the short part of the breather, and "+" is the O ring. The 4 "|" lines are meant to show the long part of the breather that ends in the angel cut.
The long part with the angle cut end would be inside the differential housing but I am not sure if it points up/down/sideways/in an angle, etc
If this theory is correct, I am not sure if the breather assembly would come out if you remove the circlip.. if anything, it may just fall inside, so be careful.
this has become the most exciting shared investigative topic on this forum
![Smile](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Last edited by 97x306; 01-09-2013 at 08:34 PM.
#26
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
looks like you are all set ![Smile](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I have never read the specs on that oil,.. is it GL5 spec and does it have the "extreme pressure" rating on it?
my best guess is that the breather fits like the ascii drawing below .. (but I have to emphasize, this is a guess at best and not meant to provide instructions or directions)
+---|]
|
|
|
|
where "]" is the cap, "|" is the lid and "---" is the short part of the breather, and "+" is the O ring. The 4 "|" lines are meant to show the long part of the breather that ends in the angel cut.
The long part with the angle cut end would be inside the differential housing but I am not sure if it points up/down/sideways/in an angle, etc
If this theory is correct, I am not sure if the breather assembly would come out if you remove the circlip.. if anything, it may just fall inside, so be careful.
this has become the most exciting shared investigative topic on this forum![Smile](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Smile](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I have never read the specs on that oil,.. is it GL5 spec and does it have the "extreme pressure" rating on it?
my best guess is that the breather fits like the ascii drawing below .. (but I have to emphasize, this is a guess at best and not meant to provide instructions or directions)
+---|]
|
|
|
|
where "]" is the cap, "|" is the lid and "---" is the short part of the breather, and "+" is the O ring. The 4 "|" lines are meant to show the long part of the breather that ends in the angel cut.
The long part with the angle cut end would be inside the differential housing but I am not sure if it points up/down/sideways/in an angle, etc
If this theory is correct, I am not sure if the breather assembly would come out if you remove the circlip.. if anything, it may just fall inside, so be careful.
this has become the most exciting shared investigative topic on this forum
![Smile](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#27
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
It's making more sense to me that if it's positioned on the top like it is on the XJ8, then once [the new breather] dropped into place the circlip really cannot hold it tightly (without removing the finned part and using circlip inside as you suggested), of course, it may be orientated on the side of the diff such that the capped 'exhausting/spraying' section might actually be aimed sideway toward the driveshaft's U-joint.
Hmmm, then what is the other smaller cap that came with the new breather for?
Oh, I know, it's an extra, I always have extras after putting things back together
![Icon Mrgreen](https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
#28
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I think the lid may act as a 1 way valve to let the pressure out but not let anything back in...if the lid sits in the ribbed opening, the cap snaps on the ribbed part of the breathe piper, preventing the lid from falling off... I don't have the part here, just trying to decipher the best way this thing would fit together based on the pictures.. looking at the part, do you think it makes sense?
#29
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The lid came in the Jaguar bag fitted on the non-ribbed part while the little cap was plugged into the ribbed section.
Not saying thats how it goes back together though.
That makes better sense and is likely the case. Didn't even try dry-fitting that way only because of the way it came but I'll try after work.
Not saying thats how it goes back together though.
if the lid sits in the ribbed opening, the cap snaps on the ribbed part of the breathe piper, preventing the lid from falling off
#30
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
that's how it was fitted on my car when I tried prying the cap off (then the lid fell off).. but that's not to say it was installed correctly from the first place.. I didn't buy my car brand new, so I am not sure if it has been touched/changed/modified previously, that's why I am curious to learn the correct and proper way
#31
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Sometimes the pictures posted on ebay can be quite clear. If there is a X300 diff for sale, then it might be helpful to all of you.
If the cap can be pried off without damage, then perhaps it would be possible to push a pipe cleaner through the passage and clear it out. That would certainly be easier than replacing the breather.
If the cap can be pried off without damage, then perhaps it would be possible to push a pipe cleaner through the passage and clear it out. That would certainly be easier than replacing the breather.
#32
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
That time frame didn't work out. Aiming again for this week.
If I were in a hurry I would just request an indy to do the job but he likely wouldn't appreciate me over his shoulder saying jaguarforums say to do this...do that...and then this...(if he'd even let me on the floor with him as most do not allow that citing insurance rules) lol not to mention the extra money I'd be spending versus having a mechanic friend do it.
If I were in a hurry I would just request an indy to do the job but he likely wouldn't appreciate me over his shoulder saying jaguarforums say to do this...do that...and then this...(if he'd even let me on the floor with him as most do not allow that citing insurance rules) lol not to mention the extra money I'd be spending versus having a mechanic friend do it.
#33
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Well we finally changed the diff fluid today. Just a hair over 1L of old fluid came out. We put in just under 2L of 80/90 gear oil, and a 4oz bottle of GM limited slip axle lubricant additive as per Doug's suggestion in an old XJS post I came across, and we also cleaned up the diff breather as good as possible as per Plum's suggestion (we didn't put my new one in as it will require a lot more work, we'll save that for a day that's not like the -10°c weather of today)
Because I don't drive this car in the Winter I doubt I'll have the opportunity anytime soon to take the car out for a long enough drive to see how good or bad of a job was done, and if the leak persists.
I feel much better now that I know the fluid is new, there's an extra additive in there, and most importantly, a full amount of fluid. All I need to do now is clean the old diff fluid residue with engine degreaser and then monitor for leaks.
Extra thanks go to Doug, Plums, Motorcarman, and Jaguarforums.com for providing the venue.
Because I don't drive this car in the Winter I doubt I'll have the opportunity anytime soon to take the car out for a long enough drive to see how good or bad of a job was done, and if the leak persists.
I feel much better now that I know the fluid is new, there's an extra additive in there, and most importantly, a full amount of fluid. All I need to do now is clean the old diff fluid residue with engine degreaser and then monitor for leaks.
Extra thanks go to Doug, Plums, Motorcarman, and Jaguarforums.com for providing the venue.
#34
#35
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Well we finally changed the diff fluid today. Just a hair over 1L of old fluid came out. We put in just under 2L of 80/90 gear oil, and a 4oz bottle of GM limited slip axle lubricant additive as per Doug's suggestion in an old XJS post I came across, and we also cleaned up the diff breather as good as possible as per Plum's suggestion (we didn't put my new one in as it will require a lot more work, we'll save that for a day that's not like the -10°c weather of today)
Because I don't drive this car in the Winter I doubt I'll have the opportunity anytime soon to take the car out for a long enough drive to see how good or bad of a job was done, and if the leak persists.
I feel much better now that I know the fluid is new, there's an extra additive in there, and most importantly, a full amount of fluid. All I need to do now is clean the old diff fluid residue with engine degreaser and then monitor for leaks.
Extra thanks go to Doug, Plums, Motorcarman, and Jaguarforums.com for providing the venue.
Because I don't drive this car in the Winter I doubt I'll have the opportunity anytime soon to take the car out for a long enough drive to see how good or bad of a job was done, and if the leak persists.
I feel much better now that I know the fluid is new, there's an extra additive in there, and most importantly, a full amount of fluid. All I need to do now is clean the old diff fluid residue with engine degreaser and then monitor for leaks.
Extra thanks go to Doug, Plums, Motorcarman, and Jaguarforums.com for providing the venue.
#36
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I did take a few pics although they're not very flattering.
Hope this works from cell phone and Dropbox, if not I'll go on the PC to edit.
http://db.tt/uIVFE3uY
http://db.tt/XcXMCzM7
http://db.tt/y0xPjW1J
The breather cap pulls off so we just used a rag to clean it up.
You can see by the one photo that there was fluid coming from the breather
as only that part of the diff has residue.
Once the weather gets better I'll put it on a hoist and do a proper cleaning.
Hope this works from cell phone and Dropbox, if not I'll go on the PC to edit.
http://db.tt/uIVFE3uY
http://db.tt/XcXMCzM7
http://db.tt/y0xPjW1J
The breather cap pulls off so we just used a rag to clean it up.
You can see by the one photo that there was fluid coming from the breather
as only that part of the diff has residue.
Once the weather gets better I'll put it on a hoist and do a proper cleaning.
Last edited by shaune; 01-27-2013 at 06:48 PM. Reason: .
#38
![Default](/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
These cars don't have limited slip differentials so not sure what good the additive will do you. The breather is the little screw-in 'plug' with the loose fitting cap as pictured further up in this thread. It's easily removed with a short spanner/wrench and can just be cleaned and re-installed. I did it while under there changing the fluid. I suppose dexterity and flexibility are your best tools to do the job.