Oil leak - rear diff !!!

Submitted: Saturday, Jan 02, 2010 at 21:01
ThreadID: 74825 Views:6604 Replies:8 FollowUps:5
This Thread has been Archived
Hi all.

Just noticed an oil leak on the concrete where the rear diff is on our mazda bravo.
Any ideas why this would happen ?

Lynz
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Member - mazcan - Saturday, Jan 02, 2010 at 21:18

Saturday, Jan 02, 2010 at 21:18
hi
is it leaking from the front shaft seal or the plugs
check the plugs with a spanner they may be loose
mud may have got into the front shaft seal and cut it out
done any mud driving?
have you done any rock driving?
look for a bash mark or crack in the housing
check to see how much oil is in it the plug thead level is the correct oil level with plug out
i've done 137000km with out any diff problems in all kinds of terrain including a lot of rocky outcrops
AnswerID: 397359

Reply By: Wherehegon - Saturday, Jan 02, 2010 at 21:18

Saturday, Jan 02, 2010 at 21:18
How Old ?? How many klms ?? They usually start with a bit of seepage then start dripping as it gets worse. They usually start to leak from around where the diff gasket goes around the diff centre. Worse case is if you have taken off road and whacked the diff centre and has a possible crack in it, but that would be more then a drip. Regards Steve
AnswerID: 397360

Follow Up By: Wherehegon - Saturday, Jan 02, 2010 at 21:24

Saturday, Jan 02, 2010 at 21:24
also as menioned above could be leaking from the pinion seal which is where my hilux leaked from but it did have 300k on it, muddy crap is the worse thing for your seals, rear main, even the new/old prado (120 series) have clutch issues after they have been through the mud, alternators (my old prado). Is it still under warranty or too old ??
0
FollowupID: 666203

Reply By: Member - Andrew L (QLD) - Saturday, Jan 02, 2010 at 21:20

Saturday, Jan 02, 2010 at 21:20
Somebody with a Landrover has parked on your driveway..?

How old is the Bravo...15 months or 15 years...?

Is it wet at the pinion..?.., is there oil flung under the body..?..is it wet at the fill plug, the drain plug or the breather..?

Plenty of questions that may need a look under the vehicle to help ascertain where the leak is from.
AnswerID: 397361

Follow Up By: Mudripper - Saturday, Jan 02, 2010 at 21:44

Saturday, Jan 02, 2010 at 21:44
"Somebody with a Landrover has parked on your driveway?"

=)
0
FollowupID: 666205

Follow Up By: Bob of KAOS - Saturday, Jan 02, 2010 at 22:20

Saturday, Jan 02, 2010 at 22:20
Most Toyotas crash because the driver only has one hand free for driving.
0
FollowupID: 666210

Reply By: Member - Nathan & Lyndsey (WA) - Saturday, Jan 02, 2010 at 21:31

Saturday, Jan 02, 2010 at 21:31
Hi again...

I'm not sure exactly where it is leaking from as I am work and just noticed it when leaving tonight.
It's a 2003 model, 129,000kms.
We went camping at the beach a few weeks ago but no mud driving.

Lynz
AnswerID: 397363

Follow Up By: Wherehegon - Saturday, Jan 02, 2010 at 21:49

Saturday, Jan 02, 2010 at 21:49
Sure its not some one elses oil and you managed to line it up dead over it by any chance ??
0
FollowupID: 666206

Follow Up By: Member - Nathan & Lyndsey (WA) - Saturday, Jan 02, 2010 at 21:59

Saturday, Jan 02, 2010 at 21:59
Nah it's defenatley from the bravo, just spoke to the other half and hes going to have look now.
It would be about 10-15cm in diamater, so can't be good aye.

0
FollowupID: 666207

Reply By: Cliveg - Saturday, Jan 02, 2010 at 23:52

Saturday, Jan 02, 2010 at 23:52
depends on where ist leaking from, mine came from the pinion drive, turned out to be a collapsed pinion bearing chewed the seal out.

big bucks to fix,

Ozzie
AnswerID: 397379

Reply By: Member - Bucky - Sunday, Jan 03, 2010 at 06:48

Sunday, Jan 03, 2010 at 06:48
Lynz

Get the overalls on and under you go !

Where on the diff, is the oil coming from ?
May only be a seal, at the filling or drain plug...if so it's a cheap fix.

Just how much oil is leaking ?.......just a drip or heaps.. ?

Cheers Bucky



AnswerID: 397388

Reply By: kev.h - Sunday, Jan 03, 2010 at 11:37

Sunday, Jan 03, 2010 at 11:37
Check the bolts around where the diff centre bolts to the housing occasionally they can vibrate loose from rough roads and cause a leak
AnswerID: 397425

Reply By: Member - RobnJane(VIC) - Sunday, Jan 03, 2010 at 19:28

Sunday, Jan 03, 2010 at 19:28
G'Day Lynz,

Once you've identified the source of the leak you may still need to do a little checking to find the cause of the leak.

It is entirely possible that a leak from the pinion seal, or wheel/hub seals for that matter could be caused by a blocked diff breather.

As well as the possibilities noted in earlier comments check the breather is clear, and if remote mounted confirm the hose to the breather is free of restrictions.

Good luck.

Rob.
RobnJane

Member
My Profile  Send Message

AnswerID: 397489

Sponsored Links