Differential is leaking - United Bimmer Community

**Numark318i** · 08-18-2007, 07:10 PM

Every fucking week...something new.

gonna buy a 1989 honda civic and drive myself off a bridge.

ok so the rear differential is leaking. I think its the gasket that has gone out, cause the drain plug is sealed and clean. Seems to be leaking from teh gasket. any idea how much this is gonna cost me? Dont think i want to take apart my rear end at home.

**xsperf** · 08-18-2007, 07:16 PM

330 or 318? LSD upgrade maybe? (sorry i know this post is of absolutely no help)

**Numark318i** · 08-18-2007, 07:31 PM

heres a pic, not my car but after searching some forums i got a simliar thread.

Im gonna try to wipe evrythign down, buy some diff fluid and change it.

then see where the leak may be coming from. Ive read five threads so far that say their diff leaked once after not driving the car for a while(i didnt drive it for a week) and never did it again. Im hoping this is the case.

**Dudesky** · 08-18-2007, 08:03 PM

I've heard elsewhere that there's a pressure vent hole that will sometimes leak fluid out, which is supposed to be normal. It would also make sense that it might leak after not driving it for a while; the seals may harden and shrink a little, allowing fluid to get past?? Hopefully it's nothing serious.

**94bmw325i** · 08-18-2007, 08:34 PM

my 325 open diff leaks also, solution, LSD when I do my auto to manual swap in the next few months

But seriously try cleaning it off and driving the car a fair amount for a few days and see what happens.

**Numark318i** · 08-18-2007, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94bmw325i

my 325 open diff leaks also, solution, LSD when I do my auto to manual swap in the next few months

But seriously try cleaning it off and driving the car a fair amount for a few days and see what happens.

I would do lsd..except its 1000$ an i think with this car i would run myself into a wall with a LSD..heh. Im happy it doesnt hold me sideways.

I just gave it a degreaser bath and then scrubbed it. looks like new for now. Ill see what happens.

Dudesky that would make sense. I did read about the vent hole. Maybe driving the car harder than usual the night i stopped driving it might have made it worse?

**Numark318i** · 08-19-2007, 12:35 PM

ok so update, the differential cover bolts were loose. only on one side, which seems odd. Tightened them back down, well 7 out of 8. the 8th one cant be reached without removing the differential. I hope one is not loose. If it is, and the leaking persists I will have to remove the differential, replace the gasket and tighten everything back down. There is a differential shop in my area, so maybe they have a lsd for cheap..if i take it out..heh idk.

**Numark318i** · 08-27-2007, 01:22 AM

Final update.

took the car to Bavarian Tunning in Santa Rosa. $400 for parts and labor.

Changed the gasket, cleaned everything off and swapped my Differential bushing with a new one. (figured a new bushing wouldnt hurt since they were already back there)

they quoted me $850~ for new control arms and front bushings and labor. Gonna have that done next month hopefully.