Leak Diagnosis Help

[itdnwiwbp]

While tearing down to install my section 1 I discovered a leak at the rear diff or output shaft. As far as the fluid seems to be flung I'm guessing it's an output shaft seal but I was hoping some of the experts could weigh in. It definitely looks like something that probably needs immediate attention so I'll have to take it to my indie but I'd like to have a pretty good idea what it is beforehand. All pictures are taken front he passenger side. Thanks!

[yousefnjr]

I had a weeping output shaft seal a few months ago, but most of my fluid had accumulated on the torx bolts, not the hex ones like on yours. There's a good chance it's still an output shaft seal, but take a peek at the input seal too. It might be leaking from the front and running down. IIRC you can see it with a flashlight after removing some of the shielding. The good thing is that it just looks like a slow leak and it's not puking out all of the fluid.

This is what my output shaft looked like:
http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=972024

[StickMon]

I wouldn't lose a lot of sleep over that. It doesn't look very serious.
Wipe it down with some degreaser and see how long it takes to come back.
It may be years of accumulation.

Mine looked like that, and I wiped it down when I changed my diff oil.
Over a year later and still fairly clean.

[itdnwiwbp]

So you think as long as I drain and refill my diff to see how long it takes to come back it should be ok? I'd rather do that to be absolutely sure where it's coming from.

[StickMon]

Depending on how long it's been since you changed the diff oil, you could just make sure it's topped up.
Then clean the outside. I used lots of Simple Green Motorsports and an old toothbrush.
Check it in a month and see if the ooze is back.

[itdnwiwbp]

Cool. Thanks for the input!

[inTgr8r]

Did you ever have the diff fluid changed at a shop?

When I first picked up my coupe I had an indi do a complete once over, including changing fluids.

A while later I noticed a mess something like yours.
I cleaned it up and it was fine. The indi did a sloppy job filling.

[itdnwiwbp]

It hasn't be changed since I've had the car (<10,000 miles). I was going to do it in a couple thousand so I'll just clean it up and do it a little early and keep and eye on it. It looks like it has splattered pretty extensively under the car so I'll just hope for the best.

[inTgr8r]

mine was all up under the heat shield as well.
that stuff travels far and wide.

[itdnwiwbp]

Yeah. Gonna have to take a few extra things off to get it cleaned to my satisfaction. Guess I'll chalk it up to getting to know the underside of the car a little better!