Bustamatic Posted May 11, 2019 Report Share Posted May 11, 2019 2012 DJ RT 3.6L AWD. Am I right that this is the rear differential leaking? No oil on ground, just what's visible under car. Should I refill the lube if its leaking to prevent damage until I can figure out how to fix it?? I'm getting to the point of not wanting to even look at my car anymore... seems everytime I do there's a new issue... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summer Solstice Posted May 11, 2019 Report Share Posted May 11, 2019 Look under any car past a few years old and you are likely to see at least one point of a very minor leak. It is a fact of life and not related to any particular brand. As I usually buy a newer vehicle around 3 years old, this is one of the things that I look for. Even then, it is somewhat difficult to find a perfectly clean vehicle underneath. As long as it is very minor, with no indication of even a drip on the floor, leave it IMO. If everything is operating correctly, just check the level, add any if necessary, and keep on driving. There is a very good chance that it is down barely at all. Consider it part of routine maintenance of an older vehicle to monitor any known leaks and address them when needed. You may never need too before the time comes to replace it. Just keep an eye on it periodically, depending on the amount of leakage. 2late4u, mechanical-idiot and Bustamatic 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bustamatic Posted May 12, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2019 Yeah, I checked all other seal and no leaks. Seems like very light seepage. I am going to check the vent as well (if possible, it's on the top)and make sure its clean to help lower the pressure when it's hot. Thanks for the advice. Summer Solstice 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingPiper Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 My journey has oil leaking from the same place and it is dripping a bit on garage floor. Is there a gasket that needs replacing or is more serious of a problem going on once those 4 bolts come out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2late4u Posted January 8, 2021 Report Share Posted January 8, 2021 would run it by a local transmission shop for their advice, if its dripping it will run out sooner or later doing a lot ,ore damage, probally just a seal but get it checked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John/Horace Posted January 9, 2021 Report Share Posted January 9, 2021 Search is your friend. Most mechanic shops capable of this repair. Check level ASAP to avoid damage, top up with 75w90 to buy more time if needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John/Horace Posted January 10, 2021 Report Share Posted January 10, 2021 (edited) It it’s not an active drip from side lip seals or input shaft lip seal; yeah you could just top it up with a syringe of 75w90 maybe once a year. Monitor it but not fix it. The four bolts are holding sections of the differential casing together. You could try to snug them up. It might just be minor seepage from porous casting surfaces. Without a complete rebuild not totally fixable. But top ups (really to confirm level more than anything) could be best option. I did that with a Santa Fe I had for its last 4yrs on road. My journey leak was dripping daily and couldn’t be ignored. Both side seals were replaced. Leak location pretty much same spot. Seals were rotted from corrosion. Edited January 10, 2021 by John/Horace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph123 Posted May 8 Report Share Posted May 8 I just cleaned the bottom where the two surfaces meet with paint thinner and applied a bead of RTV fast drying silicon on the outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John/Horace Posted May 9 Report Share Posted May 9 (edited) Might work. Did you snug up the main casing bolts, might help too. The casing is aluminum magnesium alloy, a porous dirty metal. Lacquer thinner or other degreaser like acetone might be better. If first rtv fix fails. Could also drain diff during fix to reduce seeping. Make sure vent hose on rear diff is not plugged. Remove it and blow air through. This could be the actual cause of the leak. Air inside diff heats up and differential pressure forces oil out via leaking. Has happened to other journey owners before. Edited May 9 by John/Horace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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