Rear Diff Oil Leaking

[Andrew.Y]

Hi guys,

When I was changing the wheels today I found a quite noticeable amount of oil leak from the rear diff unit. It was not there before. 3 days ago I did a trackday in Winton and ran about 30 laps. Haven't done much to the car since.

My mechanic told me it needs a new gasket.

After I drove the car home I heard the ATTESA hydraulic pump working at a much shortened internals. I start to think whether it's a rear diff leak or a ATTESA hydraulic fluid leak.

I took a few photos of the leaking area and seems the it's leaking from the top. What is the problem and where can I go and fix it? Much appreciated.

[turboedsloth]

that looks like red oil, which is power steering. Can you verify if it red power steering or green diff oil, if its green it should stink

[Andrew.Y]

that looks like red oil, which is power steering. Can you verify if it red power steering or green diff oil, if its green it should stink

yeah it's red. also at the engine bay there are same power steering oil leak as well. are these normal?

[GTRPowa]

Try and locate the 'top' of the leak. Like, if it goes up the rear of the housing, follow it. It'll either come the diff seal, or it'll from nowhere, which in that case it's probably the rack. I dunno if R34 electrical hicas racks have fluid, someone else can answer that

Gearbox and diff fluid smell the same, if you're familiar of the smell. Inspect the whole rack for leaks.

[GTRPowa]

yeah it's red. also at the engine bay there are same power steering oil leak as well. are these normal?

No, powersteering isn't supposed to leak at all. Have it serviced soon, unless you know what you're doing. I generally let minor power steering leaks happen. My commy used to do it, it'd use 500ml every month or so, but it wouldn't leave a horrific patch on the ground so meh.

If my GTR was doing it, I'd get it serviced/fixed.

Or it could be the ATTESA leaking.. See if there are any hoses/pipes up above.Check the fluid level in the ATTESA reservoir.

Edited January 30, 2011 by GTRPowa

[Andrew.Y]

No, powersteering isn't supposed to leak at all. Have it serviced soon, unless you know what you're doing. I generally let minor power steering leaks happen. My commy used to do it, it'd use 500ml every month or so, but it wouldn't leave a horrific patch on the ground so meh.

If my GTR was doing it, I'd get it serviced/fixed.

Or it could be the ATTESA leaking.. See if there are any hoses/pipes up above.Check the fluid level in the ATTESA reservoir.

Thank you! called my mechanic and will take the car down tomorrow. It's definitely leaking, spots of oil stain everywhere.

[SteveL]

3 days ago I did a trackday in Winton and ran about 30 laps

This is the clue. More than likely you have oil coming out the diff breather, which is at the top of the diff cover. It's not uncommon during hard cornering/breaking, etc. If the oil smells strongly of sulphur, it's from the diff.

Best thing to do would be to degrease the entire area, drive the car normally and see if the oil reappears.

[Andrew.Y]

Bad news. Opened the drain hole, no oil. You can hear the diff is really weared out. Damn.

[Andrew.Y]

Ills it worth to put a new LSD on the car while doing the diff work?