Diff breather locations

[Aaron]

Im just wondering where everyone has put their diff breathers? I just did a service and discovered my 10k old Motul Gear 300 oil is a bit.... milky.

[Slunnie]

I have front/rear/tranny and transfer up in a group onto the top of the firewall.

[dullbird]

I have front/rear/tranny and transfer up in a group onto the top of the firewall.

x2

although some put them up the snorkle to be really safe:)

[Aaron]

Do you guys run filters on them? Or is that an ebay gimmick?

[Slunnie]

I dont, but thats not to say that there is no value in that at all.

[dullbird]

i dont either

and we never did in our mud playing days of the uk :)

[SteveFitz]

It really doesn't matter where you put a breather - the issue is water access to the breather pipe.

I tend to leave it where it normally ends but put an upturned plastic bottle over the end of the breather going down approx 100mm or more. All you need is sufficient air to allow for expansion and contraction of the air within a diff or gear box. Typically the diff or gearbox has already cooled (read hit the water) before water ever gets to the breather point, thus the volume of air in or out is minimal. A plastic bottle with open end facing down will protect from spray and also have sufficient volume of air before water is an issue - even when submerged fully. If you want a little more protection a coarse piece of foam (that breathes well) around the opening and holding the breather pipe in position is good.

330ml coke bottle is good... I have front diff gear box and transfer going into the same bottle, mounted on the firewall.

Steve

[JDNSW]

I have got water in the front diff on several occasions - and have always been able to trace it to something other than the position of the breather, usually a damaged breather hose, but also a cracked weld on the diff housing front cover. Seals would also have to be suspect - if it lets oil out, it can let water in.

John

[Aaron]

Ill inspect all that on my next days off. Ive got zero leaks on my diffs, so that should be ok.

[long stroke]

We extended the front one into the engine bay with a little filter on the end to keep crap out of the diff, and the rear one we extended into the rear compartment of the seat box-wheel arch of the county.

CHEERS TIM.