Sports Diff Leak (maybe) - 2011 model

[Goony]

Originally Posted by planbs4 Hmmmm I have a 2011 which I received Nov 2010 and have yet got any notices regarding my thermostat or differential problem. Called the dealer as well and they said there were no updates in relation to my Vin #...Should I be concerned? You won't get a call or letter regarding the sport rear differential. It is a TSB and is to be used only if your car exhibits said condition. That said, I did notice a few drips on the garage floor which tipped me off to the issue.

[Memphis_s4]

I TOO noticed oil on my garage floor directly underneath the differential. I have not lifted the car and felt around for oil on the diff...
The oil is fairly thin as it almost looks like water from a distance, however I touched it and it is for sure some kind of oil.

It does not seem to be any kind of "grease," so i am wondering.... DOES this seem suggestive of the CV grease? or does it sound like diff oil?

Here is my last and most important question: my car has 1,200 miles on it and I have a long drive coming up this next weekend from Memphis, TN to Helen, GA for a car show.....

Am i running the risk of doing major damage to my car? or is this a slow of enough leak where it will not make any difference? OR should I be fine in driving it down there seeing as many people (I assume) may have been driving their S4's around for thousands of miles before noticing this problem?

My car sat for a few days in the garage and i noticed 3 or 4 small drops...

[thomasjordan]

Originally Posted by Memphis_s4

I TOO noticed oil on my garage floor directly underneath the differential. I have not lifted the car and felt around for oil on the diff...
The oil is fairly thin as it almost looks like water from a distance, however I touched it and it is for sure some kind of oil.

It does not seem to be any kind of "grease," so i am wondering.... DOES this seem suggestive of the CV grease? or does it sound like diff oil?

Here is my last and most important question: my car has 1,200 miles on it and I have a long drive coming up this next weekend from Memphis, TN to Helen, GA for a car show.....

Am i running the risk of doing major damage to my car? or is this a slow of enough leak where it will not make any difference? OR should I be fine in driving it down there seeing as many people (I assume) may have been driving their S4's around for thousands of miles before noticing this problem?

My car sat for a few days in the garage and i noticed 3 or 4 small drops...

Smell it. If it doesn't have any odor, it's probably the CV joint. Whatever is leaking is pretty thin. If it has a strong odor, more likely diff oil, but I'm not sure if I've seen any confirmed diff leaks (versus the CV joints leaking).

[Memphis_s4]

Originally Posted by thomasjordan

Smell it. If it doesn't have any odor, it's probably the CV joint. Whatever is leaking is pretty thin. If it has a strong odor, more likely diff oil, but I'm not sure if I've seen any confirmed diff leaks (versus the CV joints leaking).

Ok, I just looked under my car and quickly noticed grease that appears to have been "slung" from the CV area. Its a pretty heavy amount.

Now I am beginning to think that the "oil droplets" i noticed were probably from when I got a touchless car wash that does the underbody spray. I am sure some of mixed with water and dripped off.

OK, so back to my question: with only 1,200 miles on my car.... and a 440 mile drive this coming weekend. will the car be okay?
I have been looking forward to this trip and my gf and I both have taken off work for it. If this is a "ehhh, itll be fine, just take it in when you get back" type thing... then
but if this is a "Oh no, you must get your car into the dealership pronto before happens"... then damn.

how big of a problem does the leaking CV grease poise?

I am a little more unconcerned now as it seems like a lot of people may have driven around with this for thousands of miles without knowing it and their cars were fine.
IF it were the diff, I would definitely be more concerned, but even then...i know there is a safety factor built into the amount of oil that is placed in engines/ trans/ and diffs so that a very small leak is not going to quickly deplete the amt needed for the part to function correctly without damage.

[chestlock]

Nobody's gonna tell you your car will be ok, nobody can make that judgement here, but chances are you'll be fine.

With my car, it was a very slow diff leak due faulty seals - 8000km on the od when I brought it in, and all they did was the diagnostic, topped off the gear oil, and sent me on my way while I waited another 10 days for the parts to arrive.

I had one drip on my garage floor, and I'm still not convinced it was gear oil.

All that being said, other have reported dripping, some have reported faulty flange seals like myself, others the CV bolt seal issue....

Only a tech that inspects the car and determines how much gear oil is in the diff and what the exact cause is can make the call on the car's serviceability.

[LeoR604]

Checked today. Minor leak on passenger side (Feb 2011 build). Not worried about it now that we know what the fix is. Will get it looked after at my first service.

Anybody know what the Canadian TSB number is?

[Goony]

TSB:

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=1mOn...vbRjvtJf&hl=en

[tofuking]

same problem... dealer will perform TSB

[Anand00x]

Had my diff seals replaced (leaking) 1st month of having the car. Took the dealer a little while because they didn't have the tool at the time so they had my car for about a week.

[Waudi]

Just spoke with my SA and he said that the caps for the fix will not be in until mid June. I am assuming that there is no real threat of damaging the car while the grease is leaking out.

Update: Just spoke (again) with my SA to ascertain whether driving it like it is will hurt something or make something worse and he said NO! Just drive it like you stole it..lol..i kinda embellished the last part..so there you have it..go get you car checked out..get the parts ordered and then drive the car until you parts show up....hopefully before vacation season starts...oh wait..