Fixing a power steering leak I noticed the second from last silencer on the drivers side was soaked what looked like clean engine oil, I assume this is from the diff and the drive shaft connection looks dirty and soaked so thats obviously leaking.

There was little to none on the passenger side though could this be another seal on the diff gone or can it only leak from the drive shaft connection.

Also can someone point me in the right direction for the how to on replacing the seal?

 

First, determine the source. It could also be brake fluid if it is light and clear. Gearlube is usually thick and black. If it has existed for a while it is like thick tar.

If you determine that it is gearlube, then search for threads about "clogged breather" and try the fix described by motorcarman first.

 

as I thought it was fresh diff oil and it came from the driveshaft seal.

update drained and ready to refil luckily no metal shards and there was still well over 1.5 litres in the diff, still cannot find anything that resembles the breather at all the only other movable thing on the diff is a cap that just spins round and wont come off just above the refil point.


Going to install jtis so hopefully I can get a diagram of the diff to show me but if anyone knows please say.

 

Update:

Found the breather but for the life of me cannot get it off, do I have to pry the cap off then put a ring spanner on? if so what size?

 

Subject to contradiction, a ring spanner should fit over the cap and down onto the hex. 14mm has been mentioned as the correct size. It has also been mentioned that it is easier to access from the righthand side wheelwell after removing the wheel. Of course, with your arm underneath, you will want to make sure that it is completely secure on a suitable jackstand(s).

 

Yeah looked again today (got the car on 4 jack stands) and 14mm spanner wont fit over the breather cap. it took a 22m socket to fit over the cap and even then it didnt have enough depth to hit the nut.

I assume ive got to take off the breather cap with a screwdriver then use a deep socket as using even a shorty spanner there is no room to twist as the heat sink fins on the back of the diff block any kind of movement sideways.

would really love an FAQ how to or some that has done it before to give me an insight.

This is an xj6 95' 4.0 sport model if that makes any difference as im guessing I have a different differential to the other people.

Can I just stick a tube on the end of the hole without a valve?

 

Just pulled the plastic cap off and underneath there is no nut holding it on it just looks screwed in with no way of removing it.

it looks nothing like this,



tried to poke a screwdriver through and it just feels like a solid wall of plastic inside no hole which would mean there is no breather.

really stumped now I dont want to fill up the diff and only have it come out flying again.

 

sorry to dig up an old post, but I just pried the cap off and another small lid fell off as well. Poked it too, and seems to be a solid wall just as you described .. the base of the breather appears to be attached via a circlip, but it's next to impossible to remove it unless the differential is removed.

I think the breather picture you've posted is for 98+ cars

did you find out any more details since your last post?

 

Hello, 96x300,

I ordered a differential breather for my 95 XJR from Budds in Oakville, ON yesterday. Dennis from Budds called me today saying it's in.
I'll be going there tomorrow to pick it up. When I get it I will take a picture of it and post here. The correct Jaguar part # for our rear diff breather is JLM631

 

thanks very much Shaune,

I believe the base is secured by a circlip which appears to be sold separately and has a different part #

removing this circlip appears impossible without first removing the differential based on what I was looking at

I'd be very curious to know the following though since you are picking one up:

1. is it hollow inside of is there a checkvalve of some sort in there?

2. is there a spring under the plastic cap?

3. is it possible to screw in the new type if I somehow remove the old one?

4. a picture of it would be appreciated, front, back, inside

Thanks

 

Keep working the problem guys. I've got a 95 XJ6 (X300) with the same problem.

 

Here is the differential breather I ordered for my 1995 XJR

 

Thank you Shaune

 

I think I may have figured it out, but it's based on pure speculation and theory at this time ...

The 90 degree part is possibly correct, and installation may require removal of the finned differential case.

Once the finned differential case is removed, the breather is installed with the longer smooth "angle cut" end on the inside of differential (not sure how it would point, perhaps if anyone has taken the cover off can comment?)

On the exterior side of the case, the serrated side protrudes out and the circlip holds the assembly in place.

The lid goes on the serrated side, and the plastic cover on top of the lid. On some cars, there's a spring inside the plastic cover, pushing down on the lid, but I guess this one doesn't have it?

If it installs the way I hypothesized above, then removing the circlip would not be the best idea because the breather assembly would just fall inside the differential housing, necessitating removal of the finned differential case. Now if there's no check valve inside the 90 degree breather, is it even necessary to remove it as long as there's nothing physical lodged inside to obstruct air flow?

Does this make sense?

 

Keep going guys. I'm soaking all this great info up!!!!

Thanks

 

Definitely hollow inside. No springs.
Not sure when I will get a chance to do mine, hopefully soon. You're further ahead than me. Hopefully you'll be able to continue documenting the process. Thank you!

 

Hello again, 96x300,

Just wondering if you are able to provide an update as to the breather removal. Thank you.

 

Hi

I haven't really spent any more time on this since my last post... I was hoping someone who may have taken the diff apart to be able to share some thoughts..

 

OK, thank you for the reply.

A friend of mine is a mechanic so I will watch as he does it, and take pictures along the way
so that I can document this and hopefully it can act as a guide for those who may be facing a similar predicament.

I'm hoping to bring it to his garage sometime next week. I've already warned him that he may have a 'fun' time accessing the breather because of the sway bar. If for some reason it proves too difficult, I will just fill it up with more axle fluid as I'm starting to worry about it's level. I will likely drain and refill both the Supercharger and the Power Steering fluid resevoirs while he's under the car, and clean the MAFs, too.

I only bought the car in July 2012 and I could smell something from under the car. Of course, it didn't happen until a few weeks after I bought the car lol. When I looked underneath I could see it was wet around the differential. I'm hoping its the breather thats plugged and forcing fluid through the seals as was suggested it usually is. I only drive the car on the weekends, and now that it is Winter and it won't be on the road at all I can take my time.

 

I know there are several others looking forward to your results with this problem. I know I certainly am.

Thanks