I've been noticing a small oil spot in the driveway recently; turns out it's coming from the differential. I did change the fluid a couple of months ago but this just started. This morning, while it was still cold, I pulled the fill plug and it spewed out air and oil.
It drained some oil out, and I replaced the plug. So, what made the pressure buildup? Too much fluid from when I changed it out? It's not heat, cause the Miata had been parked a couple of days.
As level as possible on my driveway, which is downhill and sideways. Really sucks for working on a vehicle.
You're asking me if I filled it up on a different incline angle versus the one I checked it on today? (I think?)
It was on the same spot, besides it has been leaking no matter what angle I've had it parked on.
Actually, it started right after the road trip to Mad Merv's in Granbury.
Is there supposed to be a crush washer on the diff. filler plug? I can't remember.
There should be a pressure breather vent in the housing somewhere... It's probably clogged. Sorry to be vague, but I've never actually seen it.
Maybe 4 wheels aren't so bad after all... wickett.org
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Most cars have pressure equalizing vents in the tops of the diffs and transmissions. If there is a temperature change, or barometric pressure change, the pressure in the gear housings will need to have vents to stay equalized. Check for clogged vents. The recent rain, followed by heat, will cause atmospheric pressure to change. It can possibly force fluid past the seals, and will surely cause the spewing that you experienced when you pulled the fill plug.
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Where is it leaking from??
Front Seal?? Side seals?? Drain Plugs?? Breather on the top of the Diff??
The breather is just north of the fill plug, see the little cap deal in the picture.