[SOLVED]Front Diff Seal leaking

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bucfl

bucfl

10 Year
Joined
Oct 27, 2014
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2,145
Location
Florida
Long story longer...

Went on a trail ride today with a buddy and his new Jeep. It was supposed to be just an easy trail ride with no adventures. Not 10 minutes into our first trail we came across a fork with water crossing on the left and right. I measured depth with a branch the one on the left and i went first. Sunk right to the frame.

My budy was a novice and with his brand new Jeep i didnt want to push him to hard on using the snatch strap. I already saw his enxiety and worry about damaging his new ride on his face. Luckily some one drove by and was able to snatch me out with a few tugs.

We called it a day sicne it started raining and the wife had enough exitement. I understood since the kids were with us.

So the VSC, Battery, Brake light are on. Alternator was acting up, i have one i ordered a few weeks ago i can replace. I disconnected the battery to charge it so this may fix those lights.

My concern is with the diff seal on both sides, i think the stress of the snatch puling the truck back may have caused them to leak? The PS leaked much more than the DS. I cleaned and the engine and underside. Im hoping i dont see any leaks in the morning.

I may need to stop by and pick some gear oil after work to fill if its still leaking. Any ideas? REALLY hoping i dont need to replace seals.

PS.
IMG_0986.webp



DS.
IMG_0988.webp
 
My Land Rover would do this on the rear diff, it was a clogged axle breather.
When the diff builds up pressure it's going to leak out the weakest point.
That's where I'd start.
 
Thanks Spike555,

I may have a starter issue as well. I went to start it and got click click click.

I tried another battery and jump from wife's car but no dice.
 
Unfortunately I had no time for pics. But I was buried past the frame With water in engine compartment. I see there is a thread talking about the crank sensor. Could it be that it's got sand I there?
 
Did you have to blast a lot of sand and mud out of it or did it come out pretty clean like your picture?

I would agree that if both diff outputs are leaking it's more likely a clogged breather. Check the breathers and change the lube in both diffs for some piece of mind while your electrical is drying out ;-) After a thorough dry out I would check the grounds, watch the immobilizer, and check the basics on getting the starter to crank.

Did it generally run well after you got snatched out and drove home?
 
It ran fine after we got snatched out. When I put the battery in after charging it over night I got click click and no turn over.

I had to do a pretty thorough cleaning of the under side and engine.

Where is the emobolizer and can you point me in the right direction checking starter?

EDIT: I use the extra key without the chip in it. Dont think its the immobilizer.
 
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All the keys have a chip or it won't start, but I'm barking up the wrong tree as an immobilizer issue WILL allow the truck to turn over it just won't start/run.

Can you tell if the click is just some relays or is the click the solenoid in the starter it'self?
 
Yes your right the key will let the car turn over, just wont start.

Ill get the wife to try and start while i listen in the engine bay. Will reply back leter tonight. ty!
 
Got a couple vids and I think its the starter.

Starter noise:



Humming sound coming from this piece here:
 
That hum you heard is the idle air control valve, it is normal for it to make noise, it will time out if you don't start the engine and it shuts off after the engine warms up and it is no longer needed, think of it as a choke for the fuel injection.

As for the starter, sounds like it is bad. I have no idea where the starter is on these trucks, but generally beating it with a hammer will get it to work.
 
@Spike555 @AimCOtaco

I cant thank you enough for your help in diagnosing the problem. I had my suspicion it was the starter but I wanted other opinions before throwing money at it. Ordering one right now.

Again, thank you both!
 
that sound is the Bendix of the starter, did you try to jump it as well as charge the battery? you are not going to hit this starter with a hammer... but if you have a 30" long 1/2" thick round rod (like a piece of rebar or a very long extention... )there are a few places you can get to the starter to "hit it" as I'm sure you know by now your starter is under your intake manifold... it really is not that bad of a job... about 2 hours... take the front wheels off your truck and drop it on the ground... unbolt the lift shocks on your hood and with a piece of rope tie it back to your roof rack... so it's as far open as you can safely get it... make sure you have a magnetic tool to reach the bolts you will drop... there are several posts here on how to do it...
 
@ponytl

I had two batteries I tried and jumping it. I have a Denso reman from rock auto that will be here Friday. I'll start pb blasting Friday and hit it Saturday. Plan for 4 hours. Already reading the how to's already.
 
a few notes: you can reuse the the intake gaskets, don't use sealer... but a coating of grease can keep them in place, lots of light (but I'm frick'n blind) a sturdy chair to stand on... a piece of foam rubber or a boat cushion to lay your chest on... some people use a 2x12 across fenders with padding under to lay/kneel on... take your yard blower and blow the hell out of everything around the intake before you start you don't want trash falling in as you are lifting up....
and last... have fun
 
I second the starter issue. Just replaced the contacts/plunger in mine.. had the exact same noise. Plunger going down, and not connecting the hot wire to the starter motor. Pull it, inspect the contacts/plunger, and bench test before/after.

Once you look at the starter, it has two holes that have loop'd hoses for drainage/vent. If water gets in there, it could hose stuff up I imagine. But thats all the way up on top of the block. Seems a little unlikely that the water caused your issue here.

Anyways, read up on the thread here with instructions. Its not a difficult job, but just takes time and patience for being in a awkward space for a few hours.
 
Interesting that the water got under the intake and into the starter. Was it original? How is the alternator with all that water? I like to keep all my original starters and alternators. You can get most parts for a rebuild if needed.
@2001LC has some valuable info on taking the starter apart and rebuilding it if
you are interested.
 
I don't believe water got into the starter but more of a coincidence the starter went out.

The alternator is toast. I had similar issues last month with battery light coming on after water crossings. Same issue again this time around. I purchased a Denso alternator a month a go. I'll see if I can swap it out while I'm in there.
 
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