front diff vent tube leaking

[GuySmiley]

Just wondering what would cause fluid to out of nowhere start leaking out of my front diff vent tube. I changed the fluid in Sept when I had to change a pinion seal with only normal winter driving since then. I did notice it after using 4x4 a couple of time last week but not sure why that would cause it. Last weekend I removed the tube to make sure it was not plugged on anything and it was good for a few days but now it is leaking again.

I searched the site but did not find an actual reason or fix for it.

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[mikeinri]

Was this happening before you changed the fluid? If not, the first thing I would do is change it again, making sure to do a search to be sure I'm using the correct fluid, and making sure not to overfill it.

That's the simplest (aka cheapest) answer. If that doesn't do it, something is probably overheating would be my next guess. That's assuming no other fluids could be getting in there (I'm fairly sure that's true).

Hope this helps.

Mike

 

[GuySmiley]

No, it just started leaking from there 2 weeks ago. If the fluid is only 6 months old what would changing it do? I did use synthetic fluid for the change btw.

Any other suggestions.

Thanks

 

[GuySmiley]

I take it this is not a common problem?

anybody?

 

[Cobraguy]

Did you check the fluid level? Is it over full? Get water in it? Check the manual...rarely is the fluid level supposed to be as high as the fill port. Usually they say something like 3/4" lower than the fill port. See if that is your case. Use the factory Ford recommendation...not someone else's. I know that everyone just fills them up until it runs out, and they get away with it...but many times, that is actually over full and if you heat the diff up good, you could blow oil out the vent. Worth checking out.