4 Motion Rear Diff Leaking

[Nick Swan]

Hi all,

We've got a T5 4 Motion 180 (out of warranty) that has had oil leaking from the rear diff. I've taken it to our local garage (not VW) on 2 occasions:

1, First time they said there was a VW advisory that the bolts holding the rear diff together need tightening, and seem to every so often. Tightened and topped rear diff with oil.

2, Second time - only 3 weeks later as it was still leaking, they sent it off to a gear box specialist who re sealed the rear diff.

Apparently (got them to visually check it again last week) a little bit of oil is still seeping from the top of the rear diff, so it is going back in on Friday again. Have any other 4Motion owners had similar issues with a leaking rear diff? So far this has cost about £650 - am hoping the Friday visit is covered by warranty of the second repair.

Thanks
Nick

 

[Loz]

Does it have a breather on the diff, check its not blocked and causing a pressure buildup when hot.

 

[bvddobb]

Does it have a breather on the diff, check its not blocked and causing a pressure buildup when hot.

It has. There are breathers on the gearbox, the L-coupling and on the Haldex differential.

We have not had to have anything done on our Haldex diff yet, apart from scheduled oil changes. Knock on wood. Ours is 8 years old.

 

[briwy]

Our previous one had a leak. Sorted under warranty and I think it was the propshaft oil seal that was replaced.
Are you sure there isn't too much oil in it?

 

[Nick Swan]

The previous owner had an oil seal related to the rear diff replaced under warranty, so I assume it was the prop shaft one. I will ask about it being over filled and the breather pipes - thanks everyone so far.

Nick

 

[WelshGas]

The previous owner had an oil seal related to the rear diff replaced under warranty, so I assume it was the prop shaft one. I will ask about it being over filled and the breather pipes - thanks everyone so far.

Nick

What milage has the vehicle done?

 

[Nick Swan]

It has done about 19k miles.

 

[WelshGas]

I was anticipating that answer. I think one of the problems manufacturers have is that their vehicle testing is based on high milage testing not low milage / high time testing and unfortunately it would seem that a substantial numbers of Californias are High time - Low milage vehicles. Mine has done 33,000 in 19 months and touch wood no leaks. Also looking on the WWW this does not seem to be a common problem on commercial vehicle versions.
If this is a manufacturing fault, in your case, it could be difficult to sort out long term and I very much doubt VW would be of any help.
Oils and seals are designed for dynamic use.

 

[Nick Swan]

It is going to get more regular use now as we have sold our other car - so it will be our only mode of transport. I'm just hoping the garage can sort it out without having to fork out for a new rear diff!

 

[Loz]

It is going to get more regular use now as we have sold our other car - so it will be our only mode of transport. I'm just hoping the garage can sort it out without having to fork out for a new rear diff!

If it has been replaced before you could suggest a manufacturing fault causing premature seal failure?

Do you have any vibration whilst driving, I have known unbalanced propshaft to cause a diff shaft seal to go?

 

[Nick Swan]

There was a vibration while driving down the motorway - so I went and got the wheels balanced. They were all quite out - and it is a lot smoother now. If I look in the drivers rear mirror I can still see the back seat headrests wobbling around a bit - but hopefully that is just the bumps in the road :-S

Van is back at the garage tomorrow... will mention breather pipes, prop shaft seal and unbalanced prop shaft and see what they say.