Leaking Differential Fluid

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Jan 4, 2004
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Texas
On Saturday, I had my limited-slip differential serviced at the dealership. Upon leaving for work this morning, I noticed differential fluid on my garage floor and driveway. I contacted the dealearship and explain the problem. I also ensured the car was safe to drive because I already put 175 miles on the car since service and it looked as if I lost a least a teaspoon of differential fluid on the garage floor alone.

I arrive at the dealership and watch the tech lift my car and inspect the differential. In the course of his inspection, he removes the differential drain plug and completes a digit check for fluid level. Then, he replaces the drain plug and lowers my vehicle.

I speak with the service advisor and he states the drain plug was not secured properly, gives his apologies, and offers a free 3,750 service for my inconvience. I humbly decline the free service. I ask was the lost fluid replaced. The service advisor stated "Yes, but it only required a little fluid." I get in my car ready to depart and look at the two quarts of Amsoil Series 2000 75w-90 gear oil and find neither has been opened. I ,then, go back to the Service Advisor and rephrase my previous question by asking, "Did the differential not require any additional fluid because the gear oil I provided has not been opened. The Service Advisor goes and speaks with the technician. Upon returning, he states the diff level check out fine. I depart the dealership with a concerned confidence. Confident in the impeccably customer-oriented and no problem service I normally receive, but concerned about the following:

1. The discrepency in the Service Advisor's original and subsequent statement regarding the fluid level.

2. The fact, I did not get the problem analysis and resolution documented in case of future problems with the differential. Due to the low fluid level and elapsed time period before discovery of the leak,could the differential have suffered damage?

3. At the time of the original service, the differential was filled to a specific level, but I did not see the tech use any type of oil dispenser to return the fluid to the serviced level. I know it would have incurred a small labor charge but I supplied the replacement fluid. However, why would the tech not replace the fluid if he felt it was necessary? Should I should have requested the differential service be performed again?

Please tell me how you would handle this problem? Should I further pursue my concerns!!!
 
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Just relax. The tech checked the level and it was OK. A few spoon fulls of fluid looks like a lot. Just watch it the next week or two to make sure the leak indeed stops.

Are you by chance an accountant?
 
If you want something done right do it yourself. If you don't do it yourself don't be surprised when it's done wrong. If they checked the level and then put the plug back in everything must be fine, otherwise they would have been more than happy to top it off for you and charge you for it. If you're THAT worried about it go out and check it yourself. It's not hard to do...
 
quote:

he removes the differential drain plug

I think you probably meant the fill/inspection plug.

If the fill plug was not tight, some fluid probably leaked past the fill/inspection hole.

However, as the guys previously said, it did not require any of your Amsoil topoff fluid, which is why the bottles weren't opened.
 
Like myself,they probably slightly overfilled to begin with.Since gear oil is so thick,I dont wait for it to stop draining out of the fill hole once it starts to flow back out I replace the plug,I'm sure many do this.
 
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