Oil leak is making me crazy!!!

[sport05]

So within the last week I have had my mechanic (who is awesome) change the valve cover gaskets, spark plug tubes, half moons, etc.... Everything that comes in the kit.
Also found the crankshaft seal leaking. Changed that seal also.

Get it home and its still leaking, however not nearly as bad. The oil is dripping off the axle where it bolts up to the front diff (I'm not sure proper name for this). I've tried to trace the leak up but don't see much oil at all. Take a look at this location and see if you have any input. Thanks in advance.

 

[LittleCaesar]

First thing is that the starter in the second picture does not leak oil. Probably is residual from the VC gaskets. Wipe it down and you should be good to go. If you then still see oil you might look over his work.

The leak in the first pic is from the front diff where the CV mates with it. When the CV is changed and one is not careful the seal can tear. It isn't too hard to change out.

 

[sport05]

First thing is that the starter in the second picture does not leak oil. Probably is residual from the VC gaskets. Wipe it down and you should be good to go. If you then still see oil you might look over his work.

The leak in the first pic is from the front diff where the CV mates with it. When the CV is changed and one is not careful the seal can tear. It isn't too hard to change out.

That CV in the picture was changed last week also. The drip is definitely motor oil. How long would you expect old residual oil to drip? I'm hoping that is the case.

 

[sport05]

When you say a seal could rip, are you talking about the CV boots?

 

[LittleCaesar]

Give the oil a day or two to cease moving. I'd wipe down everything as much as possible. Did you change out the cam seal plugs as well?

The seal is in inside the front diff housing and the CV axle rests inside it. No, not the boots.

 

[sport05]

thanks for the help LittleCaesar

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

Get a UV Dye kit for motor oil and use that to trace exactly where the oil is coming from.... http://www.amazon.com/Spectronics-TP8621-LeakFinder-Conditioner-Detection/dp/B0021UXUSQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1438638029&sr=8-2&keywords=UV+Dye+kit

 

[kolelt]

That CV in the picture was changed last week also. The drip is definitely motor oil. How long would you expect old residual oil to drip? I'm hoping that is the case.

When you replace a CV there's a seal inside the differential. It is suppose to be flush with the outside housing of the differential. It's easy to accidentally push the seal in to deep while installing new CV, because it has no grove to stop it from going in to deep. Which could cause little bit of gear oil loss. So it could be gear oil leaking from the front differential. Wipe that CV and front diff clean and drive it around and check. If the seal isn't sealing properly, you will see gesr oil between front diff housing and CV. In this case, you need to remove the CV axle, inspect the seal or replace the seal with new. Brand new seal is about $20-$30. How do I know ? Because it happened to me. If you replace the seal, if that's the problem. Then when installing the new seal you should install it flush with the outside of the front diff. You can use a large socket to push it in evenly. Be careful, take your time because its easy to demage the seal. The seal is also OEM only.

 

[kolelt]

Should add that gear oil looks and smells different then ENGINE oil.

 

[sport05]

It only seems to show signs of leaking after driving. Would you expect to see that leaking if it's just sitting? I'm not super familiar with all of the colors and viscosities of vehicle fluids, but it is pretty similar to engine oil. Pretty light colored and thin. What does gear oil smell and look like?

I think this might be the issue.. I have been cleaning it quite often and couldn't explain why the fluid was only on the bottom part of the axle where it mounts up to the front diff.

 

[kolelt]

It only seems to show signs of leaking after driving. Would you expect to see that leaking if it's just sitting? I'm not super familiar with all of the colors and viscosities of vehicle fluids, but it is pretty similar to engine oil. Pretty light colored and thin. What does gear oil smell and look like?

I think this might be the issue.. I have been cleaning it quite often and couldn't explain why the fluid was only on the bottom part of the axle where it mounts up to the front diff.

Yes it would make sense why it only shows while driving. As the gears move the fluid inside. Good way to check would be losen the fill drain bolt and pump gear oil. After one pump it should be overflowing , if its been leaking it will take more then a pump. Its hard to describe the smell or viscosity of gear oil to me. It's thicker then ENGINE oil. And smells different then ENGINE oil. Myoney is, that you pushed the the CV seal while installing it. If me personally. If buy new seal and replace it. But this involves removing the CV axle and reinstalling it carefully. Make.sure you fox this asap and not run the front diff on low gear oil.

 

[Diezel]

That CV in the picture was changed last week also. The drip is definitely motor oil. How long would you expect old residual oil to drip? I'm hoping that is the case.

Can last weeks to months. Best thing to do if it really upsets you, find a place that does under-chassis steam cleaning.

 

[kolelt]

It only seems to show signs of leaking after driving. Would you expect to see that leaking if it's just sitting? I'm not super familiar with all of the colors and viscosities of vehicle fluids, but it is pretty similar to engine oil. Pretty light colored and thin. What does gear oil smell and look like?

I think this might be the issue.. I have been cleaning it quite often and couldn't explain why the fluid was only on the bottom part of the axle where it mounts up to the front diff.

So did you fix it ?

 

[sport05]

So did you fix it ?

It's definitely gear oil

Not yet, haven't had a chance. I bought the driveshaft oil seal the other day but I'm not sure if that is the fix or not? Does that seal go where I have my arrow pointed or where the far end bolts up in the center of the vehicle?

 

[kolelt]

It's definitely gear oil

Not yet, haven't had a chance. I bought the driveshaft oil seal the other day but I'm not sure if that is the fix or not? Does that seal go where I have my arrow pointed or where the far end bolts up in the center of the vehicle?

It goes where you have the arrow pointed. You simply remove the CV axle, and the seal is right there !! It has to be flush with front differential outter housing. The part that almost touches the CV. You pull out the oil seal, and carefully install the new one. I'd use a big socket, same size as the seal to even push it in. Just don't push it to far. Like I said, there's not grove or anything to stop the seal from being pushed in to far.

 

[sport05]

It goes where you have the arrow pointed. You simply remove the CV axle, and the seal is right there !! It has to be flush with front differential outter housing. The part that almost touches the CV. You pull out the oil seal, and carefully install the new one. I'd use a big socket, same size as the seal to even push it in. Just don't push it to far. Like I said, there's not grove or anything to stop the seal from being pushed in to far.

Sweet man. Really appreciate it. This look like the correct seal if you can remember? I got the part # off here bit when the dealership ran my vin it was wrong.

 

[sport05]

So... Brand new passanger side axle, brand new seal. Brand new driver side axle, new oil seal.

Driver side no leaks, passenger side still leaking. I am about to go crazy. Could it possibly be a problem with axle? It is a new Napa. Before the OEM folks chop me up, I've read a lot of good things about the Napa ones.

 

[Diezel]

It IS possible. I've done quite a few "polish" jobs on new axles, to smooth out some minor machining issues which created leaks. Then again, axle seals can be very easily damaged during install. So my advice is to check it out again. It usually is not something that clears up on it's own.