leaking differential?

[alexg]

so i took my car for a check up and the guy said i had differential leaking and i should have somebody look at that... i looked under the car and i dont see a single drop after it standing in one place for 5 hours. Differential itself is somewhat obstructed from the view, but i'm not seeing anything that looks wet at all.

can differential be leaking only during driving? what would be a recommended course of action?

thank you.

[Noisy Crow]

so i took my car for a check up and the guy said i had differential leaking and i should have somebody look at that... i looked under the car and i dont see a single drop after it standing in one place for 5 hours. Differential itself is somewhat obstructed from the view, but i'm not seeing anything that looks wet at all.

can differential be leaking only during driving? what would be a recommended course of action?

thank you.

The 3 doesn't have a differential, it has a transaxle. So if it was the mechanic that told you the word "differential"... find someone else to look at the car!


In any case, there is a plastic shield under the car that might be catching any drips. If it is a small quantity it would probably blow out and end up smeared along the bottom of the car when driving, so you wouldn't see any drips show up on the ground. I wouldn't worry about it too much, but keep an eye on the oil and gearbox fluid levels. Loosing a bit of oil is normal (sneaks by the piston rings and gets burned) but the tranny fluid level should stay constant. For slow leaks it's usually cheaper to just add a bit now and then....

[alexg]

thx for the tip :) i don't really have a 3 any more unfortunately... a tree hit it :complain

but i was wondering more in general sense. i guess without lifting the car up it's a bit of a tough tell then :whoa

[Noisy Crow]

thx for the tip :) i don't really have a 3 any more unfortunately... a tree hit it :complain

Gotta watch out for those trees, they are damn agile and jump right out at you!


but i was wondering more in general sense. i guess without lifting the car up it's a bit of a tough tell then :whoa

If you truly have a differential, it's at the back end of the car, the big ball-like thing in the middle of the rear axle. They are only used on rear-wheel and all/four-wheel drive cars (actually if you have an four-wheel drive vehicle there may also be a center differential). If that is leaking... you should have it looked at as there is no dipstick, and no way for you to top it up.

[alexg]

got a volvo s60 awd.

just found this, the damn differential isn't even visible when the car is at the ground level :bang guess i have to take it in :flaming:flaming

http://www.sae.org/automag/techbriefs/02-2002/14.htm