Member Since: 21 May 2018
Location: Adirondacks
Posts: 38
Differential overfilled?
I am changing my LR3's rear differential fluid (routine service). I'm on level ground. When I loosened the fill plug (before removing the drain plug) a LOT of fluid started pouring out. I immediately replaced the fill plug. Is this normal? Should I assume it was previously overfilled? The fluid looks new. Rear diff has had no problems. The truck is cold.
17th May 2019 9:20 pm
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4400
Had you driven it recently before opening the file plug? Diff oil can get quite 'fizzy' when it being used. Might account for the excess.Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
17th May 2019 9:23 pm
CoopLR3
Member Since: 21 May 2018
Location: Adirondacks
Posts: 38
Nope, haven't driven it since yesterday. Didn't get to it till this afternoon. My best thought is maybe I'm off level a couple degrees? I can't imagine how someone could overfill above the fill plug. It wasn't just a drip either, it poured several ounces before I got the plug back in!
18th May 2019 12:46 am
CoopLR3
Member Since: 21 May 2018
Location: Adirondacks
Posts: 38
OKay, so I put some carpenter's levels on the tailgate and console, and they show it's off level by half a bubble. I wouldn't think it's that far off, but guess I'll see if I can jack it perfectly level or maybe try to find a more level spot.
18th May 2019 1:03 am
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
The angle of the dangle doesnt matter as you are filling by quantity as its not fill until it spills.
18th May 2019 1:24 am
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13629
Hi
Just a thought , Ur axle diff breather isn’t blocked is it accounting for the pressure in the diff
18th May 2019 6:15 am
jetmech
Member Since: 22 Feb 2016
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 269
I have just changed the oil in the rear diff. Car on level garage floor normal ride height over a pit. When the fill plug was removed oil came out. I refilled it using the fill and spill method. I wouldn’t be surprised if the quantities quoted are for manufacturing reference.Simon.
2008MY Dicovery 3 TDV6 SE Manual
18th May 2019 8:12 am
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13629
Hi
May i ask , do u think the quantity that Land Rover specify for the front and rear diff are virtually at the level plug plse or is there a lot of difference
Many thks
18th May 2019 9:39 am
eightfoot
Member Since: 12 Apr 2015
Location: sunny essex
Posts: 762
I have a year 14 d4 that I did the diff's on last week 0.6 ltr came out of front 1.2 ltr came from rear these are the quantities I put back however the l/r quantity is 0.6 front and 1.1 rear cant confirm if these are filled from new but see no reason why they had been changed already
how much did you get out when you drained the diff ??please excuse any grammer/punctuation mistakes,i'm thick,thankyou
current vehicles 2005 d3 2013 d4
18th May 2019 9:48 am
jetmech
Member Since: 22 Feb 2016
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 269
I didn’t measure the oil that came out exactly. Drained the gearbox and the rear diff. into an empty 5L oil bottle, it had a sight glass guide on the side. About 2L came out of the gearbox and a further litre out of the diff. The gearbox took 2 1L bottles to fill and spill, the diff 1 and a bit.Simon.
2008MY Dicovery 3 TDV6 SE Manual
18th May 2019 1:03 pm
eightfoot
Member Since: 12 Apr 2015
Location: sunny essex
Posts: 762
as said previously the levels are on quantity not spill over and since ive owned a l/r I have got into the habit of measuring any fluids I remove just for my own knowledge of how much has been used especially the engine oil,i also measure what comes out of a 5ltr oil can rather than just putting it in as ive not yet has 5ltrs come out of a can there mostly over by .3-.5 ltr maybe im just too anal but it helps me to monitor usage p/s over fill is just as bad as under fillplease excuse any grammer/punctuation mistakes,i'm thick,thankyou
current vehicles 2005 d3 2013 d4
18th May 2019 1:16 pm
Wyn
Member Since: 15 Jun 2015
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 56
I have changed the front and rear diff oils a couple of times and the quantity quoted by land rover pretty well brings the oil levels up to the filler holes.
18th May 2019 1:56 pm
jetmech
Member Since: 22 Feb 2016
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 269
I agree that over filling would be bad, but I also think that the bottom of the fill plug more or less corresponds with the required quantity. At least that’s what I found when I put a measured amount in the transfer box.Simon.
2008MY Dicovery 3 TDV6 SE Manual
18th May 2019 2:39 pm
CoopLR3
Member Since: 21 May 2018
Location: Adirondacks
Posts: 38
Thanks for all the replies and the ensuing great discussion! I moved to more level ground but when I removed the fill plug, fluid leaked out the fill hole again. I removed the fill plug before the drain plug to ensure good draining and avoid problems in case I couldn't get the filler plug out.
I'm assuming it's normal to lose fluid from the fill plug when removing it. So I went ahead and removed the drain plug. All empty now. Fluid looks good, and minimal sludge on the magnet! Unfortunately, the kit I bought has the wrong drain plug in it. Mine is the large 14mm allen head. The kit has a small 3/8 drive head. I have no choice but to re-use the old drain plug.
My new question is... what should I seal the threads with? Teflon tape? Ultra grey? Right Stuff?
18th May 2019 5:19 pm
jetmech
Member Since: 22 Feb 2016
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 269
It should be fine without tape, but Teflon tape won’t hurt, IMO.Simon.
2008MY Dicovery 3 TDV6 SE Manual
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