CAJones
Member
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2018
- Messages
- 52
- Reaction score
- 2
- Points
- 8
- Location
- Seattle, Washington
- Vehicle Year
- 1997
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Type
- 2.3 (4 Cylinder)
- Transmission
- Manual
- 2WD / 4WD
- 2WD
I noticed oil spots on the ground under the differential a few weeks ago and as I am learning about car repair as I go so I have some basic questions. From the pictures attached, you can see how the entire bottom side of the diff is wet (the diff gasket, pinion seal, and both axles driving the rear wheels). This truck has about 300k miles on it and consumes about as much oil as it does gas. In the three years I have owned it, I have driven it 7,000 miles so not a daily driver.
1) In order to find the leak, should I clean the oil off everything (brake cleaner?) and then check again to see if leak is only from one spot?
2) Do the drive axles (not sure on the correct term) leak oil or is that just a nearby leak confusing me?
3) The owners manual doesn't list what type of oil to use but it seems like it should be 80w90 gear oil?
4) I haven't been able to find torque specs on the diff gasket, anyone know what it should be? I found one site that said ~75 ft-lbs, but that seems like a lot for those little bolts.
5) As this is a slow leak and I don't drive it much, I could just continue to refill the diff to make sure it doesn't run dry until I get a chance to fix all the leaks?
6) On the driver side axle, there is a rubber hose coming out of the top of the axle but it is completely torn off, what is this?
By the way, this forum has been a great help, I put a new head on my engine about 1,000 miles ago with your help!
1) In order to find the leak, should I clean the oil off everything (brake cleaner?) and then check again to see if leak is only from one spot?
2) Do the drive axles (not sure on the correct term) leak oil or is that just a nearby leak confusing me?
3) The owners manual doesn't list what type of oil to use but it seems like it should be 80w90 gear oil?
4) I haven't been able to find torque specs on the diff gasket, anyone know what it should be? I found one site that said ~75 ft-lbs, but that seems like a lot for those little bolts.
5) As this is a slow leak and I don't drive it much, I could just continue to refill the diff to make sure it doesn't run dry until I get a chance to fix all the leaks?
6) On the driver side axle, there is a rubber hose coming out of the top of the axle but it is completely torn off, what is this?
By the way, this forum has been a great help, I put a new head on my engine about 1,000 miles ago with your help!