Differential leak

I own a 2003 XLT Explorer, AWD with 42K. For about 2 weeks I've had a spotting
type differential leak which drips to a spot the size of a silver dollar then
stops. Any thoughts on what this is, how serious and whether it needs attention
immediately? I've got a 150 mile trip coming up Monday and have no chance to get
it looked at before then. Also are there any advantages taking it to a
transmission place vs a dealer or private garage? Any help, advice suggestions
appreciated.

Warren

There are several places that a differential can leak from.... If it from
the rear cover... check the bolts for torque. If they are tight, there is
litle chance of the leak getting worse in a short space of time. If the leak
is from the pinion seal, it *may* be an indication of bearing concerns.. or
it may be an axle seal..... Seal failures are difficult to gauge.... The
leak may remain as a minor incovenience or it could get very bad, very
quick. There is just no way to predict with any accuracy. In any of these
cases, it is wise to checked the differential case breather for obstruction.

At the same time, I feel it worth mentioning for all the lay people reading
this.... Foon has fallen into that all too common consumer trap.... Every
summer..... every Thanksgiving and every Christmas, shops all over North
America get the pre-holiday "treat"....

"Hello, Joes Garage...".

"You gotta help me.... you just gotta help me!!!!! I leave for <insert name
of distant destination here> this afternoon and my car is leaking/making
noise/not running right".

"How long has it been doing this?".

"Ohhh, about 6 months or so.....".

And of course, I'm an ass because I have a family and the exact same holiday
but my car runs (I'm anal about my machines... they may not be clean, but
they are mechanically "perfect"). I even had one frustrated traveller
threaten to sue me because all I would do at 7PM on Xmas Eve was drive him
to the bus depot.

Sorry for the digression.... I just felt the need to rub that in everyones
face....

Anyway.... 150 miles isn't a vast distance.... Without the opportunity to
have repairs made, I would at least ensure that the differential oil level
is correct before embarking on the trip... have the area inspected to be
sure that there isn't a lot of oil clinging to the under-carriage - a sign
that the leak may be worse than we suspect. And, have the breather inspected
for obstruction since a plugged breather will exacerbate the situation.
About midpoint in the drive, get down on hand and knee to check for any
signs that the leak is getting worse - again once you reach your destination
and again midpoint on the return trip. There is no sense in exchanging a
$100 or so seal repair for a $2000 diff repair.

My way might sound anal to some, but I refuse to subject myself to the
frustration of a breakdown.....

"Foon" > wrote in message
...
>I own a 2003 XLT Explorer, AWD with 42K. For about 2 weeks I've had a
>spotting
> type differential leak which drips to a spot the size of a silver dollar
> then
> stops. Any thoughts on what this is, how serious and whether it needs
> attention
> immediately? I've got a 150 mile trip coming up Monday and have no chance
> to get
> it looked at before then. Also are there any advantages taking it to a
> transmission place vs a dealer or private garage? Any help, advice
> suggestions
> appreciated.
>
> Warren
>

Thanks Jim.
All very good advice and diagnosis. I don't usually wait to last minute before
holidays or trips for checkups. In fact, I usually wait until none critical
times to take my ride in or in the case of simple repairs, do it myself when I
can. Although I have more than a few friends who do exactly as you describe and
do not get their cars serviced regularly. I've got a good relationship with my
dealer Service Manager since I've owned Explorers since 1993. This little leak
has been spotting my parking space for awhile now and I thought I'd ask the
group their opinions. Since my trip is a return trip home I can have the vehicle
in the shop the next day. I'm just conflicted as to whether the Dealer or Trany
shop would be better. It may come down to whose price to look it over is better.
Thanks again.
Warren

Looking at the year and the mileage, I'm unsure.... depending on the
warranty start date, this could be warranty.... if you are over the date,
your relationship with the SM might get you an AWA (After Warranty
Adjustment) claim.

As far as which shop is the best for the repair (after the warranty
considerations), I can only say that any of your three original choices
"should" be more than capable of performing this sort of repair..... but
there is always that "however"..... if your dealer has been delivering
repairs that are traditionally good, I might be a little reluctant to visit
another shop... even if there is a cost savings..... Everything is going to
depend on the talents and abilities of the tech performing the repair as
well as the shop foremans need or ability to "micro-manage" (there are days
that I seem to change a LOT of diapers).


"Foon" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks Jim.
> All very good advice and diagnosis. I don't usually wait to last minute
> before
> holidays or trips for checkups. In fact, I usually wait until none
> critical
> times to take my ride in or in the case of simple repairs, do it myself
> when I
> can. Although I have more than a few friends who do exactly as you
> describe and
> do not get their cars serviced regularly. I've got a good relationship
> with my
> dealer Service Manager since I've owned Explorers since 1993. This little
> leak
> has been spotting my parking space for awhile now and I thought I'd ask
> the
> group their opinions. Since my trip is a return trip home I can have the
> vehicle
> in the shop the next day. I'm just conflicted as to whether the Dealer or
> Trany
> shop would be better. It may come down to whose price to look it over is
> better.
> Thanks again.
> Warren
>

Since the OP didn't say if it was the front or rear axle, I'll guess it's
the front, since both of my old '98 and the present '02 both leaked from the
front pinion seal. Have the dealer fix it....I wouldn't want anybody else
reapplying the correct torque to that nut on the pinion gear. If it's to
tight or too loose, you will end up replacing just about everything in that
axle housing, except the 2 shafts.
wth

"Foon" > wrote in message
...
>I own a 2003 XLT Explorer, AWD with 42K. For about 2 weeks I've had a
>spotting
> type differential leak which drips to a spot the size of a silver dollar
> then
> stops. Any thoughts on what this is, how serious and whether it needs
> attention
> immediately? I've got a 150 mile trip coming up Monday and have no chance
> to get
> it looked at before then. Also are there any advantages taking it to a
> transmission place vs a dealer or private garage? Any help, advice
> suggestions
> appreciated.
>
> Warren
>

Good point. It was the rear but with something that critical I'm wondering if
the Dealer mechanics might be more skilled. This dealer has been in business for
over 40 years and has done repairs for me correctly, on time, and for reasonable
costs. I guess I'm just a little tweaked this is showing up at just over 40K
miles. My previous Explorer was a '93, manual stick that I traded in with 114k
and not a mechanical problem in 11 years of ownership.


In article <K0PRg.987106$084.402880@attbi_s22>, wth says...
>
>Since the OP didn't say if it was the front or rear axle, I'll guess it's
>the front, since both of my old '98 and the present '02 both leaked from the
>front pinion seal. Have the dealer fix it....I wouldn't want anybody else
>reapplying the correct torque to that nut on the pinion gear. If it's to
>tight or too loose, you will end up replacing just about everything in that
>axle housing, except the 2 shafts.
>wth
>
>"Foon" > wrote in message
...
>>I own a 2003 XLT Explorer, AWD with 42K. For about 2 weeks I've had a
>>spotting
>> type differential leak which drips to a spot the size of a silver dollar
>> then
>> stops. Any thoughts on what this is, how serious and whether it needs
>> attention
>> immediately? I've got a 150 mile trip coming up Monday and have no chance
>> to get
>> it looked at before then. Also are there any advantages taking it to a
>> transmission place vs a dealer or private garage? Any help, advice
>> suggestions
>> appreciated.
>>
>> Warren
>>
>
>

Front or rear differential? Does the leak stop after it's warmed up and
driven, or randomly?

Foon wrote:
>I own a 2003 XLT Explorer, AWD with 42K. For about 2 weeks I've had a spotting
>type differential leak which drips to a spot the size of a silver dollar then
>stops. Any thoughts on what this is, how serious and whether it needs attention
>immediately? I've got a 150 mile trip coming up Monday and have no chance to get
>it looked at before then. Also are there any advantages taking it to a
>transmission place vs a dealer or private garage? Any help, advice suggestions
>appreciated.
>
>Warren