Newbie that needs some emergency help

[mbl_rl]

HEY GUYS!
I am new! I have a 2003 Lincoln Aviator that i have had about 2 weeks!
I have 58,200 miles on it and i love it dearly!
However! Last night after washing it and admiring it!
I decided to crawl around on my knee's and get up underneath
and admire the heavy-duty under-carriage!

Well... I have a couple concerns and hope they are answered!
before i run to the stealership and drop alot of money....

I have no idea where the tranny is on this thing first of all!
its AWD ! I hope it isn't in the rear! ha-ha

I discovered that the rear diff. or transfer case or tranny or whatever it
is on the rear is leaking fluid! not much about a drop a day! But it is leaking
It looks as if it is coming from the top of the unit from the left side when laying down underneath it! I hope it's somthing simple like a Seal or somthing!
Any information you could give me would reallly be appreciated!
I am very upsit about this !! I am upsit that................ This is happening!
I really would like some peace of mind! Please help me out hear guys!

 

[Yamvip]

Find your oil pan then behind that is your trans to to left if your looking from the front is the tranfer case then the rear axle if the rear axle is what your talking aboutit could be a seal, or they might have overfilled at the stealership.Mine was leaking and had replaced

 

[mbl_rl]

I am talking about the case at the rear of the car!
The case that the two axles go into from the rear wheels
The case.... I am assuming now is the transfer case!

It is leaking from the top left when your underneath the car looking up at it!

The fluid coming from it smells like burnt oil!
So is the transfercase or deff. or whatever it is bad??
Or is it a seal that is a fairly simple fix and the case just needs to
be re-filled!

The tranny is in the front of the car?? correct??

 

[helmsa]

I am talking about the case at the rear of the car!
The case that the two axles go into from the rear wheels
The case.... I am assuming now is the transfer case!

It is leaking from the top left when your underneath the car looking up at it!

The fluid coming from it smells like burnt oil!
So is the transfercase or deff. or whatever it is bad??
Or is it a seal that is a fairly simple fix and the case just needs to
be re-filled!

The tranny is in the front of the car?? correct??

Not sure how the AWD is set up, but here is a general 4WD setup

As you start in the front of the car (in front of the engine), you have the front differential...

move backwards and you will have the engine, transmission, transfercase (leaving the transfercase will be two shafts aka "drive shafts"...
the one in front is the "front drive shaft" and the one in the back is the "rear drive shaft"...

the drive shafts go to the differentials...

at the end of the rear drive shaft (at the rear of the vehicle) you have the rear differential aka "the case that has the two axles that go into the rear wheels"

Someone else may be able to speak to the "leak", but I do know that many differentials (not sure about these ones) have a vent on top and when they get hot, sometimes you can get fluid out the vent if they get too hot.

I hope I helped out and don't sound too condescending, but knowing the terminology for the "thingies" and "doo-hickies" of your vehicle is part of "SHADE-TREE MECHANICS 101" and really helps when searching for answers on questions like this.

 

[Yamvip]

Yes what your talking about is the rear diff. and they are vented at the top. And the smell is gear oil??? It might be overfilled????? Mine was leaking form the bottom of the diff. Hope that sheds some light for ya............

 

[mbl_rl]

You have and i Thank you!

But....

It is the Deff. in the rear !
However!.... looked up and underneath other Explorer's at the local lot!
2 2003's...... 1 2004 3 2005's and all but one was leaking from the same area!

The thing is is that it has left spots in my driveway...... and at work in my space
........
It shouldnt be leaking this much should it ??
Or over flowing??

 

[GSP]

There is a differential (diff) in the front of the vehicle and in the rear on the 4 wheel drive or all wheel drive vehicles.

No, No,

They are nearly impossible to overfill since the fill port is fixed on the side of the diff and the fluid will just run out, before the plug is installed, if overfilled. More than likely, your diff pinion seal "located at the front of the diff" is leaking or possibly the rear diff cover. It will not cost to much to have these replaced. My bet is the front seal. Try it first and have them make sure the fluid is not low. If the fluid leaks out completely it will destroy the diff and cost you a boat load of money. You can clean the diff effectively with some hot water and tide. Drive around the block and see the source of the leak.

 

[jrford]

True but alos i would just check the level at the top hole. If your level is fine leave it, and have it checked in a month or so to ensure its still full. My guess it will be, i have a heep ZJ 140k 12yrs old, that looks like its leaking, its been that way for 6+ years now, about a dimes worth on the ground sometimes. Today its OK and still leaking, just changed the fluid too after 3yrs. Just make sure its full.

BUT after you recheck and have to refill it, then it might need some new seals, or more . . .$$$$$.

Differential’s also called- Diffs, or sometimes pumpkins cause they kinda of look like one but silver.

 

[aspitaletto]

its probably just spilled oil from when the 'technician' refilled it