LZH

Wondering if any of you guys have had this prob...I'm pretty sure it's not a leak or a blown seal, although I need to get it on a lift to see. I've got dif fluid dripping on the exhaust as the exhaust runs right next to it (right side). I know there is an overflow hole at the top of the dif and I'm pretty sure that's where it's coming from as it did it once before last time the fluid was changed - but, it's been months since I had the fluid changed. The overflow is also there if the fluid gets too hot it'll come out there. But yesterday I smelled burning (fluid hitting hot exhaust/small amount of white smoke) and checked it out and sure enough I could see a slight drip.
Anyone else every have this happen ? I'm not too worried...if the dif does destroy itself I get a new one under warranty

DFW01E55

Thankfully I haven't seen that.
If you toast it maybe you can get them to install a Quaife.
Maybe not.

Jim Brady

Luke,
I think JDB had the same problem. I've seen it on the track in Germany and it turned out to be a diff oil cooler line which was blown on the hot exhaust.
I've also seen a "holed" oil cooler from a rock that caued the same issue you discribe.

Frankster

keep us posted. Was it recently serviced?

JDB

Jim,
Regarding my prior posting. I noticed an odor of what I believed to be the smell of heated differential oil whenever I drive the car a little harder than I normally do. I took the car to the dealership and the shop foreman and I thoroughly inspected the underside of the car, while it was up on a lift.

We couldn't find any evidence of any leaking fluids, anywhere. The next time we have it up in the air, I will double check the exhaust system to see if there is any evidence discoloration from fluid, but right now, I think that all that I was noticing was the smell of the fluid being warmed up a little more than what is normal for my car.

I'll post more, if I learn more.
JDB

TTMotorsports

Luke-
Were you romping on the car or cruising it? The overflow is also there to let any built up pressure when you are spinning the rear in high RPM runs. Possibly aeration?

A lift should answer your questions immediately. Let us know what you find!

LZH

Thanks guys - I've done the best "visual" that I can without a lift. All the cooler lines seem to be intact. My last service was almost a year ago so the overfilled dif scenario isn't really a concern.
TT could be right, but when this happened I wasn't driving it hard at all...I guess gettin'er on a lift needs to happen sooner rather than later.
I'll keep you guys posted.

LZH

Well I went by the shop today and we put'er up on the lift...no leak, just seemes to be a bit of seepage coming from the top overflow hole. The entire right side of the dif was however wet so we cleaned it off and I guess I'll just keep an eye on it as per the shop foremans instructions.
Just thought I'd fill you guys in....

DFW01E55

Thanks, I'll check mine in the next few days and let you know if it's a match.

LZH

U bet, although if yours is/was doing the same....you'd smell it pretty quickly.

jrcart

Luke, mine started leaking that day we were at Willow in January. It was indeed the seal and not an overflow. If I recall it took several days to obtain the part because they were on back order and it had to come out of Germany.

LZH

Thanks Jim....We poked around mine when it was on the lift and it was pretty apparent it was coming from the overflow valve. Strange....

DFW01E55

Checked mine last night, same thing, Not an active leak, just overflow seepage.

LZH

That's good to know. Was the passanger side of your diff all wet ? Mine was and the drivers side was dry...

DFW01E55

It was only the passenger side but it was just oil covered with dirt/dust.

LZH

Thanks for the info. Sounds like this is normal for these cars.

isellbenz

My E55 is doing this very same thing... Anything ever come of it?