Thought Id change the rear diff oil as I had the car up on the hydraulic ramps. A thousand curses to the person who deleted the drain plug (you can see where it should be). What should have been a very easy job turned into a messy one as I repeatedly sucked out oil using a 50ml syringe and tubing.

But look what came out ...



Its only done 33K miles in 4 years and never been in deep water or off-roaded.

But according to JLR the oil doesnt need changing - yeah right ! Jules

Last edited by jules on 8th Aug 2018 6:42 pm. Edited 2 times in total

this is where a drain plug should be


 Jules

Did not look good. What about the Haldex oil then??

Indeed - My intention was to do the Haldex today - but didnt realise (until I was underneath) that I need a E10 socket for the prop bolts as I was taking the whole unit off. Ofcourse I didnt have an E10 socket.
So did the rear diff instead and waxoyled much of the underside as I could.


No wonder that rear diffs fail on FL2s if the oil ends up like that for no obvious reason. Jules

Jules,

If it were me I would put the oil in a clear plastic container and let it sit for a few days.

You may have water mixed with your oil.

If you do then you should have a water layer and an oil layer after a day or so.


Note: the water will be denser and on the bottom


Also mark the level on the bottle if it drops (the drop will be small) and the oil darkens then you have air trapped in the oil.


When I changed my oil for the first time I had very small air bubbles in the oil and it made it look brown but over time it turned black as the trapped oil found it way out of the oil.


If you have water then you may need to remove the side cover and use WD-40 or similar to clear out the water.


Good Luck

Paul


PS is you breather tube still attached?

Yes I thought water too.
But this FL2 had been standing for 2 days and then moved only 50 yards to get on the ramps - I'd have expected to see more water droplets forming in the oil (like before when Ive had water in the diff before on old landrovers). But maybe I need to wait longer.

Im under it again tomorrow so I'll check the breathers.

I guess getting the side of the diff off will require drive shaft removal etc - I'll leave it for another day. Jules

Jules,

If it's been a few days then you should start with MrRover75's advice and look at the Haldex fluid.

I don't know what Gear Oil and Haldex fluid look like if they mix but its possible that the seal failed and you have exactly that.

When you determine the root cause let us know.

Good Luck

Paul

Yes that was my worry - hope to get it up on the ramps today Jules

some folks have drilled and tapped that blank drain , restoring it to proper At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

The breather pipes are clear (presume one is for rear diff and other for the haldex) and the connectors are clear too.

Haldex oil is free from contamination - thats a relief.

Plan for next week:
Haldex oil & filter change.
Put a drain plug (M14x1.5) into the rear diff and perform serial flushing - although still dont know why /how the diff oil ended up looking like it did.

Also noticed some slight corrosion on the sill seams - plan to removed plastic valance and waxoyl Jules

Are you sure it's water or could someone have put a diff additive in previously?

Cheers,

Nick (Now Sold). 2008 Freelander 2 (Nazca Sand) SE TD4 Auto. Statutory write off & on WOVR for hail damage but still road legal.
171037Km as of 09/05/22
Superchips Bluefin Flash
Nanocom Evo II (also sold)

http://www.mostreliablecarbrands.com/banan...his-story/ FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

Definitely not the same colour as my diff oil was.

All of Bell's diffs now have the drain plug fitted - makes it a lot easier ! FL2 HSE Auto Galway Green
Evoque SD4 Auto Blue.
FL1 HSE TD4 Manual Black - Gone.
RR Classic V8 EFI - Gone

Badger51 wrote:

Are you sure it's water or could someone have put a diff additive in previously?

Cheers,

Nick

Pedro wrote:

Definitely not the same colour as my diff oil was.

All of Bell's diffs now have the drain plug fitted - makes it a lot easier !