Advice on leaking differential on C class 202

[GlenH]

Gents,

Whilst replacing the rear shocks on my c class (202) CDI220 this weekend I noticed oil around the rear differential. Sods law is that the end plate from where it seems to be coming is half obscured by a cross member or something like that, does anybody know how easy it would be to remove the end plate so that I could reseal it?

Many thanks for any info.

 

[BlackC55]

Are you sure its is the end plate and not the breather leaking?

To seal the end plate the diff will have to come out. Not impossible but bloody heavy

 

[recycled]

how do you oil the differential.
does it have to come out?

 

[BlackC55]

There is a filler bung.

 

[recycled]

Told the garage to change the diff oil at the next service and they are reluctant. saying it does not need to be done. so i am thinking of doing it myself

 

[Will]

It's a (17mm?) hex drain plug.

Make sure you remove the filler plug first, in case you drain it and cant undo the filler plug to refill it

BTW, it will be very tight!

Personally, with regards to the leak, check the breather isn't blocked and clean all the oil up. Check the oil level is correct and then monitor it.

It's probably not a big leak and might not be worth the hassle of changing the seals unless you're really keen.

Will

 

[GlenH]

Cheers for the replies - If the breather is blocked where does the oil come from - is it forced past the seal or something due to higher pressure in the diff?

thanks again

 

[BlackC55]

The breather is unlikely to be blocked. It is more likely to have been over filled and the excess oil comes out of the breather.

 

[GlenH]

Cheers again for the replies - I'll give the diff a wipe over tonight and leave it a day or so to see if I can work out where it's coming from.

All advice as always much appreciated

 

[c240yaz]

See this post for Diff breather.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=42062&highlight=diff

 

[Ian B Walker]

It's a (17mm?) hex drain plug.

Make sure you remove the filler plug first, in case you drain it and cant undo the filler plug to refill it

BTW, it will be very tight!

Personally, with regards to the leak, check the breather isn't blocked and clean all the oil up. Check the oil level is correct and then monitor it.

It's probably not a big leak and might not be worth the hassle of changing the seals unless you're really keen.

Will

14mm Will and bloody tight too. Get a really good hex socket tool.

 

[GrahamC230K]

Search. I think most w202 diffs weep. Can look really bad. My diff was covered in oil that always felt wet but never dropped all it's life, but the level was never actually low.

 

[television]

Search. I think most w202 diffs weep. Can look really bad. My diff was covered in oil that always felt wet but never dropped all it's life, but the level was never actually low.

It is a known fact that Hypoid oil does foam when hot and the foam will come out through the breathers, it will do it more if the car has done a lot of motorway work, the 124 did it as well, this is only a misty coating after 10 years and many miles. keeping the breathers clear does help a little but as Graham says the level never really changes.