Turbooo2u

Just picked up a 01' vert. A couple days after purchase, I found a small oil leak at the rear. Waited a few days to mention to the dealer. My 3000 mi., 60 day warranty apparently doesn't include any kind of seal leak. What is the worst/best case scenario here? I know a rear main seal ain't cheap. Car has 28k miles on it but hadn't been used much before I bought it. Thanx.:cheers

Turbooo2u

At the rear of the car, seems to be slightly towards the driver's side but well ahead of the rear sway bar.

Turbooo2u

Thanx for your input. It's going back to the dealer Tuesday. If it's a serious issue, I'm trading the car in. Keep you updated.

guido7834

Why would you trade it back? Make them fix it.

baxsom

very common problem.

DonP1

Cost me $600 on my recently purchased 2000 with 93K on it.

Cybermind

Did the dealer or previous owner perform a differential fluid change recently, by chance? If so, you can be 90% sure that the leak is caused by diff oil spewing out of the vent due to an overfill situation. Nothing to worry about.

If you determine it comes from the half shaft O-ring, that is a simple fix. But, I have this feeling that it's coming from the vent which is situated way ontop of the diff on the drivers side. You can stick your hand up there and see if the vent is wet with oil.

DonP1

On mine, the car had been neglected and I took it in to have fluids changed (oil, radiator, tranny, and diff). Also had the mechanic go though and find any issue. He found the rear end and a messed up ball link. The car did steer "fishy" before, now it's solid (alignment done too).

vettenuts

Could be vent or seal, very common issue on any C5. Unless its real bad, first thing to do is make sure the differential is no over filled. This can cause what you see. Second, if it is the seal and the dealer won't help you out, then call Don at Slowhawkperformance.com to get it fixed. At least when he is done it won't leak and he won't over charge you for the work.

Turbooo2u

Hey, going to our show Sunday? I actually got a call from the OWNER of the dealership today. He said I sounded reasonable and would tyake care of everything. Hope this happens.

Garyd2001C5

Any suggestion as to instruction to repair the leak myself if it is the differential?

Bill Curlee

Here are some differential post to chew on... (see below)

The output shaft seals are not difficult to replace and can be done with the rear in the car.

I AGREE! you have to clean everything up and make sure that you are not over filled and the vent isnt spewing out oil.

Also,,,if the vent is STUCK SHUT, it will cause the differential to pressurize and leak from the seals when it shouldnt. The vent is on top drivers side:




- C5 Differential Seal replacement: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...on-photos.html
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Some Stuff for future up-grades!



- C5, ragtopws6 , Upgrading your C5 rear with C6 Z06 guts, : http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...-z06-guts.html
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- C5, Its_Go_Time, Output Shaft Install - Left and Right: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...post1573407966




Bill

Garyd2001C5

Great Information!!! Thanks very much Bill. Is there a way to get to the vent and check it without dropping the rear end?

Shylor

The rear end on my 2003 Z06 just started leaking oil. And it only has 3,800 miles on it! Didn't need this repair expense right now.

Bill Curlee

A few things to check:

Get the car in the air LEVEL

Open the fill plug and if there is ANY excessive oil, it will drain out;

There is a VENT on the top of the case. Drivers side. It seals using a rubber disk If the disk is stuck OPEN or SHUT,, it can cause abnormal leakage.
There should be a slight VACUUM inside the case when its cool/cold. The vent allows air out but seals air back in.
When you remove the FILL plug, you should hear a slight IN RUSH of air back into the Diff.

If the OUTPUT SHAFT seals are bad,, you may never acheive the vacuum and the leak will continue.

Some light reading:

- C5, ragtopws6 , Upgrading your C5 rear with C6 Z06 guts, : http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...-z06-guts.html
-

- C5, Its_Go_Time, Output Shaft Install - Left and Right: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...post1573407966

- C5 Differential Seal replacement: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...on-photos.html



Hope this helps

BC

Shylor

Then why hasn't there been a recall to fix it?

Quicksilver Vert 01

It's not considered to be a vehicle safety issue.

Bill Curlee

LOL

The only time GM will recall something is if the GOVERMENT makes them. Look at that ignition switch failure. They hid the fault and it went on for YEARS until it was traced back to several DEATHS..

I don't see a CV Joint seal causing death or bodily harm.

Socko

You can pretty easily see both seals with a flashlight without jacking the car.

From there you can tell if the leak is from one of the sides.
Assuming its the passenger side you can then look up higher and see if there is oil coming from the top of the diff or just from the seal where the cv shaft goes in.

If there is oil all the way from the top its the vent which means its overfull. You can pull the fill plug with the car on the ground and get that dealt with.

If it is the seal, they are around $30 at the dealership. You can get the axle out pretty easy by getting the car in the air, pulling the strut, upper control arm, and toe link. The axle will just pop out. Then replace the seal and put it back together and get the car aligned.

It is also possible the diff cover can leak.I never did one so I have no specifics. It doesn't look too hard with the diff out. With it in the car might be pretty rough.

Shylor

Looks like this is going to cost me over $500. Thanks GM!