2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Axle vent tube

[WTBurke]

Axial vent tube

Why would the vent tube on the front axial puke lube out of the top of the little plastic check valve. (it dribbles down the inner fender liner and drips on the frame)



It occurs only when I'm on Interstate 5 going over the pass from Kalifornia into Oregon. My speed is usually less than 70 mph.



I've made this trip several times over the last year and it has occurred twice in the last two trips but not before?



I'm empty and not towing. The first time it occurred the vomit mess was ugly. I'd guess it puked about three ounces of dino.

The second time(just last week on Thursday) it was minor but puke on my frame drives me nutz.



William

 

[illflem]

William, it seems that every 4wd does it at least once for reasons unknown. Mine has done it once in 200k, still haven't figured out why it did it when it did.

 

[WTBurke]

Bill, Thank You

I just got out from under the front end as I thought I should check the level of lube and it is just a fraction below the bung hole not low enough to warrant even filling it. This is odd... perhaps an "air-pocket" trapped and my high speed driving and cornering on the mountain pass just at the right moment it decided to "burp"... . Just a thought perhaps. I'm so picky I notice anything abnormal right away.



William

 

[Mundgyver]

I think your answer will be altitude. Remember that the axle has a sea level pressure in it and as you climb the air will get thinner. The axle is going to vent out air to match the outside pressure. ad to this that the oil is warmed up and thin and I can easily see a little oil being vented up the tube. Of course this works in reverse also. As you come down in altitude, denser air will want to seek its way back into the axle through the vent and if you are in rainy conditions, maybe a little moisture.

It is probably a good idea that when you change out your oil in the pumpkins to go ahead and check the vents tube for clear breathing.

 

[Bob4x4]

A couple of things we have found eliminates this condition of puking out the vent tube are 1, to add an anti foaming additive (Jeep product) or 2, changing to a good quality synthetic fluid,



Bob

 

[larryshew]

Same problemo!

Was going to start a topic on this till I saw this. Had the same problem first time in 30,000 miles. Going up White Pass here in Washington State about 5,000 ft. I had my front lube puke out the vent tube too. Checked temp of front Diff and everything up there and it was all cold to touch. Mag-Hy tech. says level is right on the nuts! Well it was a problem but now I know I am not suffering in silence anymore I fell a lot better Thanks!

 

[satmike]

Me too

I just drove up from California to Utah and just north of Las Vegas I stopped to water the dog and I saw a bunch of drops in the rear fender well. I went forward and saw oil on the front mud flap and control arms. then followed it up to the vent tube. The truck has 26,000 miles on so I guess it's time to change to synthetic. I'll clean up the mess and hope it dosen't do it again.

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

My truck did it about 5k miles after I changed to synthetic. I lost a good amount too, about half an inch below fill plug. My truck also did it with stock fluid when towing heavy in 4x4, but that was understandable. The time it happened with syn. , I was Sunday driving in the country doing a whopping 40 to 45mph, and I live in the flatlands as well. Go figure.



After this happened, I called Bluementhals(sp. ) and their tech. told me to raise the vent tube. I raised it about three inches and so far so good.



Dan

 

[illflem]

I've always filled differentials to the bottom of the fill hole but while helping a friend change his '97 this weekend he took the time to read the manual. It said to fill to a half inch below the fill hole. Then in bold it said DO NOT OVERFILL

Could this be the cause of the problem?