Found leaking oil on 1st day in Moab

[bimrunner]

Right after unloading everything at the rental house, saw a drip underneith the runner. Thinking it's condensation I headed out for a quick run on gold bar rim. What a blast despite not sleeping the prior 30+ hours. Get back and see that the spot is still there and more... Get down underneath and see skids a covered. I did have the oil changed and diff oil changed prior to the trip from a reputable shop and I know they took the skids off. Checked diffs, full, oil is reading full and clean. Oil filter is clean and nothing. Front crossmember has oil in it. Clean it out. Reach up and feel that the front pinion seal is wet/oily. I'm thinking I have a bad seal... I cleaned it all up and nothing more is dripping yet. Going to take it in and have a shop here see if the pinion seal is bad... Not what I wanted to do on my first whole day! Anybody else have a similar thing happen? I haven't seen drops yet now that original was cleaned up. I did just get in from 900 miles towing a light utility trailer. Nothing on driveway or skids prior to this trip. No hits taken on Gold bar rim.

 

[EasylyConfused]

Would it be more likely to leak when in 4wd and moving? I am far from having knowledge in this area. Alternatively, is there any fluid left to leak?

 

[chmura]

Could be the people that charged your oil did a messy job and leaked oil on the skid plate and now it's slowly leaking.

 

[rigtec]

"... I did have the oil changed and diff oil changed prior to the trip from a reputable shop and I know they took the skids off. Checked diffs, full, oil is reading full and clean..."

Hi bimrunner,

Perhaps immediately after the diff oil change some residual spillage continued to run-off of the casting into the skids; which may explain why there was quite a bit in the skid plates before, but nothing showing now... still full!(?) Hoping that's all.

 

[Ducmonsta]

I doubt you have an oil leak. Just check fluids and make sure they're at the right level. If they are, then you're good to go and this particular time at the shop they were sloppy.

Or, they overfilled the front diff and it's blowing by the seals now.

 

[bimrunner]

Going to check again this AM. High probably they were sloppy. Everything was full. Just wondering why it only started visibly leaking after the long drive. I had it back for about 5 days before the trip and nothing was on my driveway. I guess a 900 mile trip with lots of heat and grades might make it move... Hope it's all that is wrong. Just disconcerting.

 

[bimrunner]

Would it be more likely to leak when in 4wd and moving? I am far from having knowledge in this area. Alternatively, is there any fluid left to leak?

Everything is full.

Hi bimrunner,

Perhaps immediately after the diff oil change some residual spillage continued to run-off of the casting into the skids; which may explain why there was quite a bit in the skid plates before, but nothing showing now... still full!(?) Hoping that's all.

This is highly possible and what I hope is going on.

I doubt you have an oil leak. Just check fluids and make sure they're at the right level. If they are, then you're good to go and this particular time at the shop they were sloppy.

Or, they overfilled the front diff and it's blowing by the seals now.

This is kinda something I think might have happened. I guess I'll know if there is anything leaking this AM. If nothing dropped out overnight, I'm thinking it was probably just messy work and I'm good to go?

 

[bimrunner]

AM report: no new oil on the ground! When the thunderstorm goes away, I'm bolting the skids back on! Moab Rim is back on the morning agenda for the runner! Thanks guys for the help!!

 

[Rtar]

Power steering Cooler

Ben, Check your power steering cooler - the threaded connections on either side. It wouldn't cause that much oil to leak, but you should still check it. Mine started leaking on the inlet side after a few days.

 

[Jimmy_D]

Moab Rim is back on the morning agenda for the runner

Have fun. Moab Rim is probably my favorite run in Moab. I don't even remember how many times I've done it. Lots of terrific photo ops.

 

[bimrunner]

Ben, Check your power steering cooler - the threaded connections on either side. It wouldn't cause that much oil to leak, but you should still check it. Mine started leaking on the inlet side after a few days.

Mine is dry as whistle so far.

Have fun. Moab Rim is probably my favorite run in Moab. I don't even remember how many times I've done it. Lots of terrific photo ops.

Kinda changed at the last min since our spotter who was going to join us couldn't at the last min. Did Cliff Hanger instead... If only you had come to show me the way!!!

 

[Jimmy_D]

Did Cliff Hanger instead

My personal opinion is that Cliff Hanger has gotten noticeably tougher than Moab Rim over the last few years. If you know the right lines on the major obstacles on Moab Rim it isn't particularly difficult (big IF). I've gotten newbies with little experience up it before without incident. I've also seen a couple of heavily modified rigs roll on it. How was Cliff Hanger?

 

[bimrunner]

My personal opinion is that Cliff Hanger has gotten noticeably tougher than Moab Rim over the last few years. If you know the right lines on the major obstacles on Moab Rim it isn't particularly difficult (big IF). I've gotten newbies with little experience up it before without incident. I've also seen a couple of heavily modified rigs roll on it. How was Cliff Hanger?

It was unbelievable! Such a great trail!!! Pics in my build.