Help with rear diff leak on Volvo S60R! Pictures.

[Chris B.]

I recently bought my 1st R. It is a 2004 model and is in excellent condition. I had a local indy Volvo shop flush and fill all fluids including all the AWD gear boxes and Haldex fluids. The car's rear differential was bone dry on the outside(no leaks) and it was in storage for a year before I started to drive it. Not a single drop on the garage floor.
After the Volvo shop flushed and filled the rear diff it started leaking badly. I took it back and they said it was just some oil that spilled and was dripping off the suspention parts and such. They cleaned it and told me it was 100% full and all was fine for about 4 days. Today I noticed some small drips on the garage floor. My wife drove the car and when she got home I rechecked it and they is oil all over the rear diff area and the bottom of the truck area. I can not access it to see where it is leaking from.
I called the shop back and they want me to bring it in again to check it over. Do you guys have any idea where it might be coming from and why it is now leaking when it was fine before doing a drain and fill. Here are some pictures I took less then 5 minutes after my Wife go home with it. Thanks for any help!:

 

[TTK]

My guess is that it is over filled. Some of these rear gear units have an air vent and from the pics it appears to be flying vertically. Either that or the wrong fluid.

 

[bdcardinal]

What fluid did they use? Do you have the heatshield on the DEM yet?

 

[Gabe]

Originally Posted By: TTK
My guess is that it is over filled. Some of these rear gear units have an air vent


I agree.

 

[Chris B.]

This Volvo shop is highly regarded and has a good reputation. They told me they use factory Volvo fluids.

 

[SatinSilver]

See if your neighbor will let you park in their driveway or park in the street. Or place some cardboard under it.

Maybe the NuFinish caused the leaks since it's so abrasive, hmmmm....

 

[michaelluscher]

Originally Posted By: satinsilver
See if your neighbor will let you park in their driveway or park in the street. Or place some cardboard under it.

Maybe the NuFinish caused the leaks since it's so abrasive, hmmmm....


OHH! OHH SNAP! That's cold man...
Coming from a person who rags on Cooper's, then buys them....

 

[michaelluscher]

Originally Posted By: Gabe
Originally Posted By: TTK
My guess is that it is over filled. Some of these rear gear units have an air vent


I agree.


+1 on that, and politely inquire and seek proof that they used correct fluids.

 

[heynow]

It's very difficult to tell where it is leaking from your pictures. I also doubt that the wrong fluid would cause a leak. Overfilling, loose or missing plug, or leaking seal/gasket are all possibilities.

 

[Astro14]

Agree with Howard on XC.com - right side is flinging the oil. So, three possibilities exist: 1. the differential itself is leaking on the right side. 2. the differential was overfilled and is venting onto the right axle.

or 3. the right axle CV boot has failed, and you're flinging CV joint grease...

 

[artificialist]

Is there a vent tube somewhere? It might get clogged, and then blow oil out of the weakest seal.