Rear Pinion Seal Leaks Whilst Towing

[Simon_td5]

Hi

I towed my 2 tonne boat from Melbourne to Canberra with my 1995 300 tdi Discovery and found that when I got home that my rear pinion seal had been leaking and left oil spots all over the rear of the disco. Note that whilst towing, the disco's temperature was hotter than it ever has been (not on the red temp line though) so it was working really hard.

I have since had a service, the oil drops have been cleaned up around the pinion seal and the oil topped up. I have also towed my boat on short 20min trips and not had it anywhere near as hot as the above trip, but there are NO more oil drips present around the seal.

My question is: do I need to replace the seal? That is, will a new seal solve the issue of it leaking oil or is this going to happen under the above towing load anyway on long trips?

Note: The seal was last replaced about 60k ago. I have had about 3 in 137k.

Your help and experience will be appreciated on this !

Regards
Simon

[incisor]

that many leaky seals in that little time would have me looking at the breathers.

[DEFENDERZOOK]

also check where the seal runs on the yoke to see if there is any wear or freeplay of the shaft....

[sheff]

Whilst you had the seal out did you check the bearing preload? Mine leaked at about 100k. and the cause was incorrect preload allowing pinion shaft shaft movement. Shims are available in varying thickness to correct this. (3nm. without seal installed)
Mine also started after some heavy towing work
sheff

[Pedro_The_Swift]

like sheff,
mine you'sd to leak while towing the race car,
little oil spots on the back door,

the good news is,,
as long as the spots are new theres still fluid in there!
and,,
it doesnt do it any more.
(hang on,, thats bad news )

[Simon_td5]

Thanks !

You all raised good points ! I will check my breathers to begin with, that could be likely seeing as I havn't checked them in years.

Simon

[shaunp]

I suspect the oil just thined out a bit and got past the seal. I always run them on 90/140 if they are working hard. I run Castrol SAF-XA 80/140 synth in mine and Dads. My car has never had pinion seals replaced and it's done 150k. We did Dads at 140k. Both cars tow stuff. I have done a seal in 98 tdi with 28k km on it and was running out.

[disconut]

Hi all,
I had the same issue with the rear diff on my TDi. The dealer replaced the seal 3 times under warranty. He even polished the spiggot to try and stop it. We fitted a new improved seal kit from LR and it still leaked. In desparation I asked him to replace the oil, thinking it may have been contaminated and chewing out the seal. It worked! No more leaks, even towing the caravan. Go figure.
Trev.
(I presume the oil he used was the standard stuff recommended from LR).