Diff substance.
Submitted: Thursday, Aug 11, 2005 at 19:49
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Exploder
Just a quick simple question.
I just pulled the filler plug out of the rear diff to check the level as it has a very slight weep from 2 of the bottom diff cover bolt’s (Been meaning to tighten them up or put a hole new gasket on, But you know how it is)
When I pulled out the filler plug there was a big dob of graphite paste or grease on the end. At first I thought the diff oil had turned to sludge but upon checking the oil it was a nice colure and was clean.
The substance was a black/
grey colure.
So what is this stuff on the inside of my filler plug, and what is it there for.
Oh, the diff fluid is original, the diff and the fluid have not been touched since new, maybe it was a factory thing.
Reply By: eerfree - Thursday, Aug 11, 2005 at 20:25
Thursday, Aug 11, 2005 at 20:25
Exploder
I will probably cop flak for this but is the plug magnetic?
Ducking!!!!!
eerfree
AnswerID:
124839
Follow Up By: Exploder - Thursday, Aug 11, 2005 at 20:34
Thursday, Aug 11, 2005 at 20:34
No, but that’s what I though at first as
well, and I was panicking for a second when I first pulled it out and sore it, But it turned out to be a graphite paste or a grease and there were no metal filing stuck to it.
What ever it is, it has been siting there for almost 120,000k’s so it must not be affected by oil or heat too much.
FollowupID:
379707
Follow Up By: Russel & Mary - Thursday, Aug 11, 2005 at 20:44
Thursday, Aug 11, 2005 at 20:44
Even though it looks like graghite paste, it could still be metallic paste.Rubbing it between your fingers will still feel like grease,the particles are so fine that you won't see or feel them. Test to see if the plug is magnetic, if it isn't, then I'll eat my hat. Rus.
FollowupID:
379712
Follow Up By: flashnick - Thursday, Aug 11, 2005 at 23:30
Thursday, Aug 11, 2005 at 23:30
Its a magnetic filter - how else will all the fine metallic particles that wear off - be filtered out - (compare to the oil filter in the motor) seeing that diff oil changes are supposed to be every 20,000 klm (but often go further). There is no other simple way to remove them from the oil.
If you've got big (visible or big enough to feel) metal filings on it you would have problems. Gearbox etc will have the same.
cheers Nick
FollowupID:
379730
Reply By: Russel & Mary - Thursday, Aug 11, 2005 at 20:30
Thursday, Aug 11, 2005 at 20:30
Most likely it is very finely ground metal mixed with diff oil into a paste and held onto the filler plug because the filler plug is magnetic. Most gearboxes have similar methods of trapping metal(not brass or aluminium) on their plugs, as do some engine sump plugs. This allows a visual indication of any excess wear or potential long term harm to your vehicle. But only picks up stuff that's attracted to a magnet. Quite often a plug will have about a half teaspoon full of sludge and in ordinary circumstances this is nothing to get overly concerned about. Rus.
AnswerID:
124842
Reply By: kev.h - Thursday, Aug 11, 2005 at 20:33
Thursday, Aug 11, 2005 at 20:33
without seeing it only a guess
if the diff plug is magnetic (quite common)it will be a mix of very fine metalic particals and diff oil
as the contaminated oil gets sturred up as you drive the plug grabs the metalic bits as they go past and you just wipe the plug when you have it out then the bits of crud are removed from the system
the metalic particals are from normal wear and tear on the moving parts of the diff- not normally a problem unless its excessive or the car has very low milage
hope this helps
regards Kev
AnswerID:
124844
Reply By: Exploder - Thursday, Aug 11, 2005 at 21:03
Thursday, Aug 11, 2005 at 21:03
Thanks for the reply’s everybody.
Rus, don’t go eating that hat just yet mate ( :
AnswerID:
124850
Reply By: Member - Davoe (Widgiemooltha) - Friday, Aug 12, 2005 at 00:35
Friday, Aug 12, 2005 at 00:35
That is normal it is metalic fillings and what not collecting on your magnetic plug
AnswerID:
124867
Reply By: fisho64 - Friday, Aug 12, 2005 at 00:59
Friday, Aug 12, 2005 at 00:59
One thing more to add, CHANGE YOUR DIFF OIL at least once in its lifetime if you care about your car!!
AnswerID:
124870
Reply By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Friday, Aug 12, 2005 at 12:16
Friday, Aug 12, 2005 at 12:16
Yeah, it's NASTY hey. I changed my diff oils after I bought the surf and they obviously had never been done before, OMG are there any cogs left in there!!??
8-O
AnswerID:
124910