Axle breather leaking
 

Has anyone else noticed the rear axle breather leaking oil? I've got a 2011 GT with 373's.

Tracked the car a few times - wondering if that is the cause? Should these breathers be leaking oil though? It's starting to collect quite a bit on the axle..

I suppose it's better than not breating at all, and blowing out the axle seals..but what has everyone else noticed on their axles?

I believe that there is a TSB out for this.

My thread on a different forum... Check out Post #10 and below. ;)

http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-foru...ml#post8415288

Holy crap I'm glad I posted this! Never imagined a leaky breather could lead to a blown diff :confused: I've got just over 13,000 km's (about 8,000 miles) on her tho..you would think that diff would have blown out a long time ago. Someone had one go on them during a test drive?? Yikes!

Thanks so much for the link, i will be following up with my dealer as soon as the car is out.

You rock Mustang Source :nice:

Managed to grab a few photos... what a mess. At least its keeping the rust away..:p

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...d/IMG_2451.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y21...d/IMG_2456.jpg

Does anyone have access to the TSB regarding the blown diffs/oil level? I would like to get my hands on a copy.

Well, I don't think a "leaky breather" is actually the "cause" of the problem. I suspect there will sometimes be some seepage out of there. :dunno:

The real issue was too much oil in the axle, which (I guess) caused too much pressure or something, that caused the seal to go. Mine blew with 530 mi. on it, so if you're at 8k, you're probably okay by now. ;)

someone mentioned a TSB on this. do we now what years/models this is affecting (5.0's only or build date in 2010 only, etc.) ???

Checked my axle last night and it looked ok, but curious to see how widespread this may be.

Wondering if it's worthwhile to have Ford check these seals anyway, just to be proactive. But i don't think they like taking the proactive approach, they like the "let it blow up, then come see us" approach. Which I can also understand..they can't go around pulling diff covers off every car that has a slight leak.. Then again, what defines "slight"

Norbred, are you seeing oil on the pumpkin or just at the breather? If it's just the breather you are probably Ok. Get your oil level checked and make sure it's not over full. While your at it the pumpkin seal and pinnion can be checked. You don't have to take anything apart, unless their is a leak.

The pumkin is free of oil. No evidence of any leaks except right at the breather.

Hi Norberd,

This is Deysha with Ford Customer Service. Has this issue been resolved? If not, I would like to escalate it for you. Could you message me with your contact info, dealer, VIN, and mileage?

Deysha

Bit of an Update for everyone.

Took the car in this weekend to have the breather looked at. Pulled the plug on the diff and a ton of air came out, then the oil started. Probably leaked for a good ten mins or so. Nothing major, but it was for sure overfilled. Metal shavings on the plug, and the oil had a hint of metallic to the colour.

At this point all they will do is change the fluid, and I'm not even sure they will do that under warrenty.. My way of thinking is, if Ford does not reccomend you change your diff fluid, and mine turned out looking like that, it's the fault of the manufacturer that I have to swap my fluid out. We'll see how that goes next time I'm in there. (I took the car in on a Saturday and they didn't have a Tech that was capable warranty work).

One thing I would strongly suggest everyone do is check your rear diff fluid, and from the looks of mine, I would change it as well!

Thanks for the update, I'm going to get mine checked as well.
(Considering the issue I had... ;) )

Another update for everyone.

They aren't changing the diff fluid, and won't change the axle breather, as the TSB is for 2005-2010 mustangs only. 2011's have not been included in this TSB.

This was a note I got regarding the color of the oil..

"The appearance of Milky or Grey oil is most likely discoloration caused by marking compound used at the factory to check gear tooth patterns"

So in short, all they will do is clean off the axle.

Hmmmmm.... I always kinda thought gray oil ment there might be some moisture in there. I would swap it out with some royal purple or some other good syn oil.

yay... :shame:


:banghead:

Got the same problem too.

Update:

Took it to another dealer and they changed the breather for me last friday.