Fluid in the driveway

[56PW17]

spot appeared yesterday. Made a decent size puddle.

Can you guys help me with what this is?
I looked under the truck and its coming from a nipple on a hose by the driver side wheel. Has a heavy oil mechanical smell if that makes sense.

In the last photo you can see the white nipple that is leaking the fluid.

Thanks guys.

 

[crash68]

I'm going to take a guess that is breather tube for your front axle.
With it being white in color, that means water is mixing with oil. You need to address this immediately! Also check your rear axle, and transfer case for water contamination.

 

[olyelr]

I'm going to take a guess that is breather tube for your front axle.
With it being white in color, that means water is mixing with oil. You need to address this immediately! Also check your rear axle, and transfer case for water contamination.

^^^^ this

Looks like watered down gear oil coming out of the axle breather. Oochy ouchy.

 

[56PW17]

^^^^ this

Looks like watered down gear oil coming out of the axle breather. Oochy ouchy.

Wow that you for the info! Not to sound stupid but i just power washed the truck. This turned up a day after. Could that have anything to do with it you think?

 

[BWL]

Any chance you got a little too close to the diff plug? Its just a rubber plug so if you get right on it with a pressure washer it's technically possible to knock it out or have water get through.

 

[56PW17]

So just checked the truck and there is no more fluid leaking.

The larger puddle was the first one made. It looks to me like there was a good amount of water mixed in. The second smaller puddle looks like it has very little water in it. To my uneducated eyes.
Again this showed up after a long power wash although i dont know if that matters.

 

[56PW17]

Any chance you got a little too close to the diff plug? Its just a rubber plug so if you get right on it with a pressure washer it's technically possible to knock it out or have water get through.

Im going back out for a second look. I guess i could have. I was so excited to wash the winter salt off i gave it a long bath.

 

[Low_Sky]

That’s your front axle breather tube. You probably power washed a bunch of water into it.

You need to change your diff fluid and stop power washing the end of the breather.

Seriously, change your diff fluid. Not optional. It is water contaminated now and that’s not good.

You can relocate the end of the breather if you’re mechanically inclined. I moved all of mine to higher ground because I ford water regularly.

There are breather tubes for the front and rear axles, transmission, transfer case and fuel evap system.


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[BWL]

That may not be what it is, but while you're checking I'd pop them out and check the fluid.

 

[Low_Sky]

And this is a great example of why you don’t pressure wash under a vehicle. Regular hose, go for it. Pressure washers can cut things and force water places it wasn’t meant to go.


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[56PW17]

That’s your front axle breather tube. You probably power washed a bunch of water into it.

You need to change your diff fluid and stop power washing the end of the breather.

Seriously, change your diff fluid. Not optional. It is water contaminated now and that’s not good.

You can relocate the end of the breather if you’re mechanically inclined. I moved all of mine to higher ground because I ford water regularly.

There are breather tubes for the front and rear axles, transmission, transfer case and fuel evap system.


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Its going to my shop tomorrow. I really appreciate the help guys. This forum brings me peace of mind.

 

[olyelr]

Any chance you got a little too close to the diff plug? Its just a rubber plug so if you get right on it with a pressure washer it's technically possible to knock it out or have water get through.

The plugs are metal and screw in. Doubt it came in through there.

 

[gofishn]

I'm thinking the thing was gunky to begion with, you pressured wash the bottom of the truck, water got tossed around, after you were done, and the gunk on the plug end came off, on your drive., I doubt you got any water in the axle. woudl check, for piece of mind, if nothing else but would be surprised if any is in there, Not made for water to get in thru that vavle.

dont sweati, get it checked out but no sense worrying about something you cannot un-do.

if there is water, change the fluid out.

 

[Low_Sky]

I'm thinking the thing was gunky to begion with, you pressured wash the bottom of the truck, water got tossed around, after you were done, and the gunk on the plug end came off, on your drive., I doubt you got any water in the axle. woudl check, for piece of mind, if nothing else but would be surprised if any is in there, Not made for water to get in thru that vavle.

dont sweati, get it checked out but no sense worrying about something you cannot un-do.

if there is water, change the fluid out.

The cap on the breather isn’t a valve. The top of the cap is loosely fixed and designed to keep out splashes only. The OP’s cap has been forced up by the pressure washing. Water definitely got inside. The fluid on the ground appears white because it’s foamed, caused by water contamination. Clean diff fluid doesn’t foam and come out the top of the breather.


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[olyelr]

The cap on the breather isn’t a valve. The top of the cap is loosely fixed and designed to keep out splashes only. The OP’s cap has been forced up by the pressure washing. Water definitely got inside. The fluid on the ground appears white because it’s foamed, caused by water contamination. Clean diff fluid doesn’t foam and come out the top of the breather.


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This. There is no reason for dif fluid to even come out of the cap, or be foamy white.... unless it has water mixed with it.

 

[22hemi13]

Yep. I’d change it out. It’s a quick simple cheap task. Then you don’t have to worry

 

[Grand Mesa]

Over filling of the differential while it is cold and then driven may cause the hot fluid to foam out of the cap. Although, water contamination is likely the cause, other possibilities for foaming can still exist.

https://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/1765/foaming-in-oil

 

[Bock]

You can relocate the end of the breather if you’re mechanically inclined. I moved all of mine to higher ground because I ford water regularly.

There are breather tubes for the front and rear axles, transmission, transfer case and fuel evap system.


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Good info here, where did you relocate the breather tubes to? Any pictures?
Thanks

 

[56PW17]

2pm appointment to have the diffs and transfer case fluids changed. I’ll let you guys know what has water in it. Also going to extend these breather tubes in the near future and not power washer like a school girl at a car wash

 

[pwjouster]

have them snap pictures of the dif and the fluid that comes out.