Diff (and other) Breather Extensions

[VooDoo2]

Called slee today. They recommended doing front and rear with a ARB breather kit. They mentioned that the xfer and trans r mounted pretty high up and it's almost impossible to get water in them. So I just grabbed a kit. Will install it when I do the snorkel.

They arent that high at all as you can see from my photo's and driving through 1foot deep water can push it over the gearbox easily. There is 3 breathers there and should be raised. I dont agree with SLEE at all. The breathers are lower than the starter motor

 

[ttrmike]

They arent that high at all as you can see from my photo's and driving through 1foot deep water can push it over the gearbox easily. There is 3 breathers there and should be raised. I dont agree with SLEE at all. The breathers are lower than the starter motor

Were your breathers disconnected from their mount? The 2 transfer and 1 trans breathers for me ended throttle body height at the rear of the engine.

200 Series Drivetrain Breather Project

I haven't seen to many threads here in the 200 section regarding drive train breather extensions, so I figured I might as well document my experiences for reference later. The plan is to extend the front and rear differentials, as well as the transmission and transfer case breathers into the...

forum.ih8mud.com

Good catch on the starter breather too. I didn’t think of that one.

 

[VooDoo2]

Were your breathers disconnected from their mount? The 2 transfer and 1 trans breathers for me ended throttle body height at the rear of the engine.

200 Series Drivetrain Breather Project

I haven't seen to many threads here in the 200 section regarding drive train breather extensions, so I figured I might as well document my experiences for reference later. The plan is to extend the front and rear differentials, as well as the transmission and transfer case breathers into the...

forum.ih8mud.com

Good catch on the starter breather too. I didn’t think of that one.

This is them untouched. (diesel of course)

 

[dwai]

Got my front and rear diff extended. Didn't extend everything that could be extended but ,hey, it's an upgrade over stock.

 

[linuxgod]

For those doing this without a kit, what diameter hose do you need? Anything aside from hoses, couplers, and clamps?

 

[Cruisin911]

For those doing this without a kit, what diameter hose do you need? Anything aside from hoses, couplers, and clamps?

If you're reusing the stock valves, you've got it covered.

 

[linuxgod]

If you're reusing the stock valves, you've got it covered.

I plan to, so that's good. Since nobody's chimed in I'll have to just cut a section of hose off and take it to NAPA to measure.

 

[mooneywa]

At what point if you don’t have a breather would you consider doing a fluid change on the diffs? We had some fairly significant road flooding in Houston the other week. A quick check online said the 200 has a 27.5” max fording depth. I wasn’t there, but I think it was close to the diffs. Nothing prolonged and left it running in the garage to dry out the engine bay (alternator). Diff breathers are a consideration going forward, but in the interim...?

 

[Cruisin911]

You still have diff breathers, just stock ones. I wouldn't be worried about it really, depending on total depth and number of times you do it. I change all my diff fluids every 30k, regardless of water crossings, towing, wheeling, etc.... really, with your statement, the only concern I would have is with lubing the driveshafts. I would do that after every water excursion, daily at most as needed.

 

[kcjaz]

I’m looking at extending some of the breathers. I read above in a post by @VooDoo2 that there is a starter breather. Can someone with a gas engine US spec 200 confirm there is a starter breather? I’ve had my starter replaced, and I bought all the parts. I don’t recall seeing any kind of breather connection on the starter itself. But I did not do the install, so maybe I just missed it.

 

[Fisher23]

I’m looking at extending some of the breeders. I read above in a post by @VooDoo2 that there is a starter breather. Can someone with a gas engine US spec 200 confirm there is a starter breather? I’ve had my starter replaced, and I bought all the parts. I don’t recall seeing any kind of breather connection on the starter itself. But I did not do the install, so maybe I just missed it.

It's 1/4 hose (you can use fuel line)

 

[kcjaz]

It's 1/4 hose (you can use fuel line)

View attachment 3190696

Thanks. I found a pic I took and the breather is there. 2 years ago and I didn’t recall.

edit: I don't see any reference to the starter breather in the FSM component, install, or removal sections. Seems odd but maybe im just not seeing it.

 

[TheComedian]

Is there a reason why I shouldn’t just build the breather longer with an air hose?

…like I did?

 

[bloc]

edit: I don't see any reference to the starter breather in the FSM component, install, or removal sections. Seems odd but maybe im just not seeing it.

It's more of a drain than a breather. Doesn't connect to anything else, is on the bottom. I believe the shape is intended to keep mud from splashing up inside while giving any water that does happen to make it in a place to go.

Also it isn't going to move much air in operation because it doesn't have a volume of fluid to expand/contract and displace air.. the only air movement is as the air itself warms/cools along with the engine. No dynamic seals holding back fluid to worry about blowing out.

Personally I wouldn't bother with extending this.

 

[Fisher23]

Is there a reason why I shouldn’t just build the breather longer with an air hose?

…like I did?

If the airlines are resistant to oil and grease like a fuel line, then they are fine.

 

[TheComedian]

If the airlines are resistant to oil and grease like a fuel line, then they are fine.

Like nearly any industrial air hose line the ones from Festo

 

[kcjaz]

It's more of a drain than a breather. Doesn't connect to anything else, is on the bottom. I believe the shape is intended to keep mud from splashing up inside while giving any water that does happen to make it in a place to go.

Also it isn't going to move much air in operation because it doesn't have a volume of fluid to expand/contract and displace air.. the only air movement is as the air itself warms/cools along with the engine. No dynamic seals holding back fluid to worry about blowing out.

Personally I wouldn't bother with extending this.

If it is intended to be a drain, and its on the bottom, without an OEM "breather hose" extending up above the starter, adding one seems like it would result in defeating the drain. Any water trying to drain out would get trapped in the hose. The pics of the old starter and the new one look different. The old one actually looks like a pea trap.

 

[bloc]

If it is intended to be a drain, and its on the bottom, without an OEM "breather hose" extending up above the starter, adding one seems like it would result in defeating the drain. Any water trying to drain out would get trapped in the hose. The pics of the old starter and the new one look different. The old one actually looks like a pea trap.

Great point about trapping water.

Are we even sure that is a 5.7 starter? Hear she is bosses gone, positive wire lead in a different place.. and the vent/drain on my original 2013 was closer to the second picture

 

[kcjaz]

Great point about trapping water.

Are we even sure that is a 5.7 starter? Hear she is bosses gone, positive wire lead in a different place.. and the vent/drain on my original 2013 was closer to the second picture

Its not a 200 starter. Its from a 100. Used Google Pic search to find this.

My starter breather fix

My starter breathers were broken. I fixed them with small hose.

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Fisher23]

The starter for the diesel which is what VooDoo has has breathers.