<VV> Leak! Leak! Leak!

[Dale Dewald]

At 12:13 PM 10/21/04 -0400, Darrin Hartzler wrote:
>I have been lurking a bit since I last asked for advice...

<snip>

>I made the mistake of putting Amsoil synthetic gear lube in a
>trans/transaxle that had been sitting for several years (with nary a
>leak).  Because the old gear lube was still there, I assumed that it would
>hold synthetic oil just fine.
>
>Wrong.
>
>I have expensive Amsoil all over my garage floor from a slow drip that
>seems to be coming from the edges of the yoke that holds the inner
>U-joints, though I have not put it up on jack stands yet to properly
>investigate.

The leak is from the yoke side seals.

>Here are my questions:
>
>1)  Has anybody else  had similar problems with synth gear lube on these
>transaxles?

I have had several differentials begin to leak from these seals after 
sitting for a while (mineral oil too).

>2)  Is there any possibility that going back to dino gear lube will
>staunch the flow of fluid?

Probably not.

>3)  Is there any complication involved in going from synth to dino in such
>a case as this (other than the challenge of getting all the synth fluid
>out of the trans and transaxle)?  Any tips on that as well?  I am assuming
>I can use some variation on a siphon for this.

No, the Corvair transmission and differential typically work fine with 
mineral based GL-4 fluid.

>4) Is there any chance that the seals that are leaking will magically make
>themselves whole by putting a few more miles on the current arrangement
>with the synth still there ( i.e. will they heat up/swell/rehydrate and
>seal)?

Not likely.

>...and, most importantly...
>5)  Will they do so with dino gear lube or should I just go to plan B?

You "might" be successful with Valvoline's Max-Life differential 
fluid--which I understand is a synthetic blend--but for that much trouble 
it would be better to replace the seals.  They are fairly cheap.

>Plan B is to cut to the chase and pull the tranny and re-seal the sides.

There is no need to remove the powertrain.  Simply disconnect the inboard 
axle U-joints and let the axles hang down.  The yokes are splined into the 
differential carrier and are only retained by a long bolt.  Bend down the 
locks and unbolt them.  Make sure to use the proper size socket and careful 
alignment when you tap the seals in.

>Of course, I will spend a couple of hours poking around this weekend to
>see exactly where the leak is and if it is just one side or both, but your
>experience and advice on this would be much appreciated.

If one side is leaking, the other is likely to start soon.

>Any help and/or experience much appreciated.

Ask away.

Dale Dewald
Hancock, (UP) MI