Steelheading365 Posted May 7, 2014 Report Share Posted May 7, 2014 I was driving on the freeway today and noticed a burnt gear oil smell. I was close to my work so I got off and pulled into the parking lot. Inside my left front wheel well was a small amount of gear oil that has splattered up there. I popped the hood and there was more gear oil that had sprayed out of the black line that comes off the front diff and rests on top of the wheel well. I got underneath and saw that there was a small amount of gear oil that had seeped out of the center of the diff where is bolts together in multiple spots. Also saw evidence of seepage around the drain plug. I drained the fluid out, it was black with a silvery metallic sheen. The drain plug had a small amount of metal shavings on it, no chunks of metal came out with the fluid. A piece of debris about the size of half a penny came out, it crumbled when I picked it up, maybe a deposit of some sort or burnt up gear oil. Can anyone giver some advice on what happened and what my next step should be? I've seen all sorts of threads on front diffs leaking from the sides where the axles go in, but none on it leaking from the center seam. I appreciate any help/advice you all can offer. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blown 346 Posted May 7, 2014 Report Share Posted May 7, 2014 Sounds like normal wear from what you described. The fluid being black also indicates that fluid hasnt been changed in a long time. Thenormal servie interval is I believe every 50K. The diff leaking from the center gasket happens. I would wipe off what is wet and check it again after a few days of driving. Leaks normally happen after things cool down from being warm while sitting. If its still leaking, you can put it off until its bad enough to replace that center seam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steelheading365 Posted May 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2014 (edited) Any idea what would make it come out the black line in the engine bay? Also, for an 03 what's the best fluid to refill with. I'm at 109k. I was going to do synthetic 80W 90. Thanks for responding so quickly, I've been stressing on this all night and my truck is sitting at my work with an empty front diff. Edited May 7, 2014 by Steelheading365 (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blown 346 Posted May 7, 2014 Report Share Posted May 7, 2014 80/90 synthetic is perfect. Thats what I used. The black line is a vent tube. Make sure to clean off the drain plug well. I had to use a clear rubber tube ( you can buy them at Lowes Walmart etc) and put that over the bottle of gear lube to fill the diff. make sure when you fill the diff that you fillit until diff fluid dtarts to seep out of the fill hole. Once that happens, plug it and your done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downeast Johnny Posted May 7, 2014 Report Share Posted May 7, 2014 I got an outboard lower unit gear oil pump to aid in the refill process. The pump end screws into a bottle on Mobil 1 full synth gear lube. Push the hose end into the top hole in your diff housing and pump till the gear oil overflows slightly. (This is not the exact pump that I bought, but they are all similar) http://www.amazon.com/Plews-Edelmann-55-005-Marine-Lower/dp/B000PDIBF8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1399456567&sr=8-2&keywords=marine+lower+unit+pump Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsm110 Posted May 7, 2014 Report Share Posted May 7, 2014 Mine leaked on that center seam as well. I used Gear oil RTV and made a bead along the seam. That rtv is designed for diffs and resisting gear oil. Has been about 9 months and no leaks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianVRss Posted May 7, 2014 Report Share Posted May 7, 2014 Some 03 front diff seals are non synthetic compatible. All later years got synthetic compatible seals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blown 346 Posted May 7, 2014 Report Share Posted May 7, 2014 Correct, check your vent tube, mine was black so it doesnt take synthetic, if its white it does Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steelheading365 Posted May 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2014 Thanks again blown346, I am grateful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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