Water in front differential Fluid

[Blaze]

HI
I just changed the fluid in the front differential on my 2013 3500 Ram Diesel. Upon draining I found there to be water in with the fluid, I have no idea how water could have gotten in there. The truck is never taken off road and certainly the front differential has never been under water, the only time it would have ever seen water is driving in the rain. Previously when I changed the fluid I have cleaned the factory gasket as well as both the cover and housing surfaces before the application of RTV on reassembly, the factory gasket seems to be in good condition, I am wondering if anyone else has had this problem and what the solutions are.
Thanks For Your Time
Blaze Taylor

 

[kthaxton]

How does the breather vent look? I don't recall if they use the same setup that they've used for decades, but if so, make sure the vent cap is present and in good condition.

 

[Signal73]

Any long term parking in a lot that could of experienced high water?

 

[Ozymandias]

How old was the oil? Last change?
How often is 4x4 used?

 

[Blaze]

How old was the oil? Last change?
How often is 4x4 used?

The last oil change was a couple of years ago, I use Lucas 75/90 synthetic, the 4x4 is seldom used. The truck has spent every winter in Arizona since new. The truck is mainly used to tow our 5th wheel, around 6000 miles return to Arizona.

 

[Blaze]

Any long term parking in a lot that could of experienced high water?

Thanks for your response, no the truck has always been parked in our driveway at home.

 

[Blaze]

How does the breather vent look? I don't recall if they use the same setup that they've used for decades, but if so, make sure the vent cap is present and in good condition.

Thank you for your response I will recheck the vent to make sure it's intact and clear.

 

[Cummins12V98]

FYI, zero reason to use anything on the reusable gasket.

 

[Ozymandias]

The last oil change was a couple of years ago, I use Lucas 75/90 synthetic, the 4x4 is seldom used. The truck has spent every winter in Arizona since new. The truck is mainly used to tow our 5th wheel, around 6000 miles return to Arizona.

Problem is your differential case is always breathing, day and night.
That builds up condensate, but, if you never run it in 4x4 the differential never gets warm* to dry out that build up humidity. So it keeps adding.

*only the spider wheels are turning with the CAD and with no load, that doesn't warm up the oil.

 

[Ozymandias]

You might want to re-check it after 12 month if it still collects water.
The only place where water could enter the differential (without submerging it is the breather assembly.
I've seen trucks where it was attached inside the wheelwell, right in the spray of the wheel. Not from factory, but someone put it there.

 

[Blaze]

You might want to re-check it after 12 month if it still collects water.
The only place where water could enter the differential (without submerging it is the breather assembly.
I've seen trucks where it was attached inside the wheelwell, right in the spray of the wheel. Not from factory, but someone put it there.

 

[Blaze]

Thanks I will keep an eye on it, you are probably right on the non use of the 4x4 since 2013 I doubt it has been used 12 times and then only for a short time around town. Maybe it's best to change the fluid once a year regardless of miles traveled.
Thanks for your time

 

[Ozymandias]

I'd start with twelve months, if it is still fine after that time try with 24 months.
There is no sense in wasting oil but sure we don't want to have water in there.

 

[crazy jerry]

for there to be any appreciable amount of water it would of had to be submerged. perhaps there wasnt nearly as much water as you thought.
if the hose completely fell off the housing nipple you could get some rain splash going in (small amounts over time) .there would be oil spooging out as well

 

[User113]

"spooging"? I'm too old to keep up with all these technical terms!