Leaking...

[RTanguy]

I'm totally new to all this so sorry if there is a very simple and obvious answer to this!

Every time I take the car out (which is daily) when I get back a blob of nasty smelling oil drops out of the diff casing. It seems to be a fairly steady one drop every time the car is driven so not huge amounts but it is definately annoying! How long can this continue before the oil gets low enough to do damage? And how can I stop it, is there a dodgy seal somewhere?

I also seem to have a small oil drip from the engine area.. from what ive managed to see one drip seems to be coming out of what my very useful haynes manual tells me is a fume vent? Or it could be dripping of something else onto this then the floor, any suggestions where its actually coming from/how to stop it would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

[Alex'n'Ane]

Both drips are nothing major to worry about, you just have to make sure you park your car in the same place, so u get 2 oil patches instead of lots of tiny ones Most used daily not great condition classics seem to have the same 2 drips.

[RTanguy]

Thats ok then! I wasn't too concerned about the engine one as I figured that was normal plus I know how to check that oil level!
Just out of interest how and with what can I top the diff/axle/wherever thats coming from up?

[dalebrignall]

if you look under the car in the middle of the axel is the diff,the round thing .on the diff there is a leval plug undo it .it will be a small square head which you will need a spanner to fit or it will a plug that requires a key to undo it rather like a radiator in the house.you can get a drain plug remover from halfords .anyway whichever you have undo it ,if oil comes out then the laval is fine if not top up with ep90 till the oil comes out or just before ,its that easy .

[bmcecosse]

ALL Minors leak to some extent - your's sounds better than most......

[RTanguy]

Thanks! I will so that just so I know whats in there. I was expecting constant leaks from the engine end just didnt know about the other bit so thought I should check!

[bmcecosse]

But do make sure the rocker cover breather pipe is connected to the carb inlet - or possibly (but less effective) to the air cleaner. This should minimise engine leaks and smells - possibly your 'burning smell'?

[simmitc]

For the diff, my experience is that they do not and should not leak unless there is something wrong. What is the year of the car? The casing and diff units varied over time. Use Jizer to thoroughly clean the whole thing and then determine where the leak originates -from the vent, filler, drain plug (where fitted), casing gasket, This will determine what action is required. A very slow leak can just be topped up regularly (hypoid SAE 90 oil) but should not be there.

Sometimes, a leak from the engine or gearbox will be carried by the slip stream until it hits the axle, making it appear that the axle is leaking when it isn't.

Engine / Gearbox leaks are common, and covered in a multitude of threads.

[RTanguy]

The drip seems to be coming off the very bottom centre of the diff.. sorry I'm not sure what its called! And the car is 1961 if that helps. I'm pretty sure its not coming from the engine and as the oil is bit of a different colour and smells nasty.

[bmcecosse]

Probably the front seal is weeping - the nut on the flange may even be slightly loose. Best left well alone - just make sure there is some oil in the axle......worry about it if it stops dripping.........

[dalebrignall]

i think thats standard with most moggys dont worry about it just cheek every once in a while .