a few days ago i noticed a couple of drops of fluid from under the differential. The fluid was real kinda amber in a color and very clear. So, i backed her up some ramps to check it out.

No signs of leaks from either half shaft or the driveshaft. The fill plug looks alright as well. The leak seems to be coming from the top and running down the back and dripping from the very bottom . 55k miles on her and i would have thought the diff fluid would have been darker and dirtier but i don't know if the differential was serviced prior to my ownership - i've put 12k on.

 

Are you sure it's coming from the differential?

You may want to search "transmission pan O-ring sleeve" here on the forum. That could be your culprit. The mineral oil-based Shell 1375.4 ZF transmission fluid used by the cars with the 6-speed ZF is indeed golden or amber-colored....

 

here is a simulated picture of where i'm seeing the fluid on the differential (modified jaguarevan's pic). after cleaning it off, it took 2 days before there was another drip on the floor of my garage. no drops of fluid under the transmission area.

 

I hate to 'thread jack' but I was just getting ready to post my own "differential leak" thread so I thought I'd save time.

My ’05 STR has developed a small leak around the left output shaft at the differential. Has anyone ever replaced the output shaft seal and if so, can you please give me any advice.

 

Iluvmy05STR - an oil leak? Is it amber or clear?

blaksplash - do you have any oil in the trunk (like in a toolbox) that could be leaking out?

Could it be brake fluid / do the lines even run up there?

It really seems unlikely to be diff oil!

But.... take out the plug and check not just the level but also whether the oil's the same as your leak. Get some on a white napkin or some such to check color.

 

The fluid is clear/light gold in color. I had a local mechanic look at it to verify that it was the output shaft seal. The Jag dealership charges about $350 to replace it; which might not be that bad considering the work involved.

Also, I need to add some fluid. I found a thread by Tbird describing the proper fluid type. When I add fluid, should the car be totally level or can the rear be elevated?

 

nothing is in the trunk except my golf clubs

there are a couple lines above the differential, but it's hard to tell exactly what they are because there isn't a lot of visiblity. seems to maybe be fuel line?

i already have some mobile 1 synthetic 75W-140 oil that was going to be for a future diff fluid change. i will check the level and the color/type. it still baffles me as to where it's coming from.

just checked jtis & it's calling for special service tools to pull the half shaft:

halfshaft splitter handle 307-443
halfshaft splitter 307-442
halfshaft oil seal installer 205-532
halfshaft seal protector 205-461

dunno if you can improvise the tools or not

i attached the jtis instructions (dunno why there's so many duplicate pages, mybe i sent multiple copies haha)

Is your leak further to the side, closer to the halfshaft input to the diff?

 

It should be level when adding fluid but it's hard to see how a slight incline could matter.... but can you really not find somewhere level? You could loosen and retighten the plug first, so you know it's not stuck solid.

 

Blaksplash- My leak is at the drivers side halfshaft directly at the differential. The leak itself is very small, only a couple of drops after it's been parked. I think that it's leaking much more while I drive and the halfshaft is moving. My differential is covered in fluid.
Thanks for the jtis. After looking at the work involved, it doesn’t look like anything I want to take on. I looks like I’ll be heading to the dealership next week.
Best Regards!

 

jagv8- is there more than one fill plug?

 

I don't think so - but check jtis

I've a vague memory of a 1/2" drive plug to take out. Usually the level should be up to the threads of that hole, just stick your finger in and check there's oil up to the edge of the hole. Add the right oil if not. My notes show 75W140 Ford/Jag spec M2C192A synthetic, Jag part JLM 20771