Differential overflow?

[grincon]

Driving to Disneyland earlier this month---On my first pit stop I noticed fluid coming from somewhere--upon further investigation, I realized it was coming from the -differential overflow?(overflow tube leading from differential up to passenger side inside wheelwell). Approx a few ounces had overflowed. Continued driving-nothing else to do-and stopped at next city with a Dodge dealer--ShowLow,AZ. No more leaking at that point, just remnants of fluid coming out. Mechanics at dealer stated that was normal, sometimes the fluid (foams?) slightly and overflows.

Same answer from local dealer-but it won't overflow much if level drops below safe level. No more overflow since. 7700 miles on truck. Is their explanation about right?

 

[TowPro]

I can't tell if this is a front or rear dif. I remeber reading a TSB or something about differentials ******* a little fluid, I think they changed the level or something to stop this. My 96 4wd 1500 did this.

Originally posted by grincon

Driving to Disneyland earlier this month---On my first pit stop I noticed fluid coming from somewhere--upon further investigation, I realized it was coming from the -differential overflow?(overflow tube leading from differential up to passenger side inside wheelwell). Approx a few ounces had overflowed. Continued driving-nothing else to do-and stopped at next city with a Dodge dealer--ShowLow,AZ. No more leaking at that point, just remnants of fluid coming out. Mechanics at dealer stated that was normal, sometimes the fluid (foams?) slightly and overflows.

Same answer from local dealer-but it won't overflow much if level drops below safe level. No more overflow since. 7700 miles on truck. Is their explanation about right?

 

[ftb87]

Mine did that (only one time). I live in Denver and I think it puked because I went to altitude to sea level (different pressures).



Frank

 

[BV]

Seems Normal

I guess it's normal since a lot of use have it happen when new or after a fluid change.

Kind of scary when your away from home up to your rims in muck and you notice oil where mud should be.



I'm getting ready to change out the fluid and will get it too full so I can spend a day cleaning again .

 

[BK]

Mine did the same thing last summer while going up and down some large steep hills in NH.

Seems the the breather tube is plumbed to the axle tube instead of the top of the diff house (which is more usuall) . Dont know why dodge did this, but it's the reason the breather tube will puke a bit of 90weight every once in awhile.



I'm told, but don't know 1st hand, that dodge changed the breather location and moved it to the diff housing because of the breather tube puking issue.



Easy to check your diff level, just remove the large nut in the front cover housing. with the truck on level ground the gear oil should be very close to the or at the bottom of the hole.