Front diff fluid contaminated

[RobV]

Took my 2018 ram 2500 4x4 to dealer. For noise while turning. And troibke shifting into 4 wheel drive. and the fluid was like spackle. Dealership said it voids my drivetrain warranty. Front diff was never opened. Truck has 31000 miles on it. Was bought new. Any help would be appreciated

 

[crazykid1994]

Driven through water? How long has it been acting up.

 

[Joe w.]

Welcome

 

[RobV]

Never driven through water or flooded areas. Started hearing a popping sound on longer somewhat tight turns. Never violent bucking like an old ford in 4x4. And trouble shifting into 4x4 recently in cold weather. Southeast pa. 20 degree or less.

 

[retired]

first thing I would be looking at is the vent is it missing or malfunctioning?. no way it should have taken water just driving around. One issue you might have is the owners manual says to check fluid at 20,000 miles.

 

[quickster2]

I would not just accept their response if in fact the differential was never opened. Did you get a sample of the "spackle"? The "spackle" seems severe for just water intrusion. Check your owners manual for the maintenance language regarding these parts. I believe an inspection is required before your mileage which might weaken your position. Look at all avenues. Was there damage to the gearset after the gunk was cleaned out? Good luck.

 

[Nick@GotExhaust]

As mentioned, 1st thing I would do is inspect your vent line's integrity. I would talk to an oil analysis company like Black Stone to see if they can test that for you as well. See if they can tell if its water contamination or if maybe something else is in there. I have seen water in the diff make the fluid that thick and white.

 

[Papa Red]

Welcome to the forum.

Red

 

[chri5k]

Really does look like water. If the vent line looks good, it could be from condensation. Is the truck parked outside? Definitely more / wider temperature variations when parked outdoors versus a garage. Also, some car covers can hold in more moisture and make condensation issues worse.

Back in the day we had a 4x4 come into the shop and someone had mistaken the axle vent line for a cowl drain line and connected it. That put lots of water into the axle. The complaint was water sloshing sound in the firewall. My buddy starts working on it and says "Hey you gotta see this".

 

[MADDOG]

It looks like water got in the diff and, if you hadn't driven the truck through water, I'd suspect the vent tube has either come loose from the diff housing, has broken somewhere or has disconnected from the clip that holds it in place at the open end.

 

[retired]

It looks like water got in the diff and, if you hadn't driven the truck through water, I'd suspect the vent tube has either come loose from the diff housing, has broken somewhere or has disconnected from the clip that holds it in place at the open end.

if it is like my 2020 Power wagon it has no clip it is about 3" long at max and just has a one way valve on the end.

 

[RobV]

Thanks for the replies, i took a sample of the "spackle" to the dealership i bought the truck from they said it could be water but the service manager is out till monday. Ive never had the truck through deep water or own a boat. I live i pa and the temp can vary alot during the day. If this dealership will work with me ill have it towed there. The first dealerships position is that it was tampered with.

 

[pacofortacos]

That wouldn't void your warranty either, it might not be covered for the front diff but the rest of the drivetrain would still be covered.

I would look at the rear diff fluid too.

Did you buy it new?

 

[retired]

Thanks for the replies, i took a sample of the "spackle" to the dealership i bought the truck from they said it could be water but the service manager is out till monday. Ive never had the truck through deep water or own a boat. I live i pa and the temp can vary alot during the day. If this dealership will work with me ill have it towed there. The first dealerships position is that it was tampered with.

that seems like the most reasonable explanation. No way temp fluctuation caused that. Otherwise it would be epidemic. There are people who never change there diff fluids who live in states with equal or more temp swings than in Pa. Pissed off anyone?

 

[Harley Harrold]

 

[Dusty]

Thanks for the replies, i took a sample of the "spackle" to the dealership i bought the truck from they said it could be water but the service manager is out till monday. Ive never had the truck through deep water or own a boat. I live i pa and the temp can vary alot during the day. If this dealership will work with me ill have it towed there. The first dealerships position is that it was tampered with.

I've seen a number of differentials that got water in them, and none of them looked anything like in the picture.

Could be sabotage. Having problems with any neighbors?

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 064888 miles.