2008 Jeep Wrangler Alledge "water" in front diffe

COLLAZOI

MEMBER
2008 JEEP WRANGLER
6 CYL
4WD
MANUAL
20,000 MILES

Dear Sirs:

I took my Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited to the dealer for an oil change. They informed me that they had found water in the gear oil for the front differential only. The rear was fine. I am not an expert in Jeeps, but I grew-up in a gas station, and I find this impossible to happen for the following reason:
1. I have been driving the car in Tucson Arizona for the past 5 months (this is a very dry place)
2. I know that I have not taken the car 4-wheeling for the past 12 months (I know, it is a shame to do this to this type of car, but we have been very busy doing other things, like finding a new job, starting a new job, selling the house, family, etc.)

They claim that the water could have gone in through the hose/vent for the differential during a rain or while I wash the car. But it does not rain so hard here and I know I have not washed the car, neither. They "inspected" for any leaks or problems and did not find anything to report, as strange as this may seem.

So, my question to you is: Can you think of a reason of why/how this could happen to an otherwise well taken care of and barely used car like mine? My main concern is that I would like to figure out what happened so that I can fix it or prevent it from happening again.

Any ideas, theories, and/or comments will be welcome.

Thank you so very much:

Ivan Collazo, PhD

1 Reply

MECHCURT

MEMBER
184 POSTS

Hmmm, well on the front diff axles, the outer seal is not really a seal. It is more of a barrier. It is a plastic piece that just rides on the axle (slips on) and it stops most of the big stuff from entering. It should be riding up against the axle tube pretty close. If it has moved out you can just push it back farther on the axle and close that hole up a bit. Now the inner seals are just outside the carrier also on the axle. This is a true seal and is supposed to stop all the water and other stuff from entering the diff housing with your oil. That is it, and if the jeep does get into water deep enough to cover the axle then water gets in. It has always been this way? The only other thing is if the hose vent tube was dislogded (common) and water wouldl just flow right into the housing. The dealership may have cought this and just put it back on without mentioning it? Thats about all I can tell you, replace the gear oil and just monitor it yourself. Also, the water could have been in there a long time from when you did have it offroad or in a puddle and its just now being discovered? Hope this helps and let us know. Thanks Curt