Is it possible to fill the front diff (GL4 oil) through the hole for the air breather?
The filling nut is completely worn out and I would like to know of it is ok to fill it this way?
On a section I can see the oil will arrive in the house where the VC is, but there seems to be a connection pipe? Or am I wrong?
HELP.
filling front diff through breather? update
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filling front diff through breather? update
Last edited by wimwolf on 27 Sep 2010, 12:59, edited 1 time in total.
I woke up this morning, my brain was gone....
- Aidan
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Re: filling front diff through breather?
you can do it that way but it will take a long time, ideally you'd want to make up an adapter for the 500ml fluid syringe with a M10fine coupling on the end to fit the breather hole as behind the hole is a restricted passage and the opposite face of the next part of the case so it is only a few mm aperture inside, it's only meant to allow for the expansion and contraction of the air inside the box - the oil will be distributed throughout by the balance pipe in the bottom.
it could be quicker to take the diff out and take the cover plate off refill and reseal and reinstall
it could be quicker to take the diff out and take the cover plate off refill and reseal and reinstall
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Re: filling front diff through breather?
Aidan wrote: it could be quicker to take the diff out and take the cover plate off refill and reseal and reinstall
Yes it would and while you have it out you could send it up to Warrington and have it refurbed. Then you could fill it up as you'd have a new bung in your diff (!)
Why are you wanting to do this job anyway?
syncropaddy
One Syncro, five Mercedes Benzs and a rocket ship
One Syncro, five Mercedes Benzs and a rocket ship
Re: filling front diff through breather?
well,
I recently changed the front CV boots (inner and outer), the plan was to take the diff out but I kept it in place and could finish the job with the front diff loose but still hanging underneath the van. I thought I was going to take it out so already removed the oil to lose some weight, (only 1.5kg I know...) after 25 years it was time to change the oil.
So now I have a front diff in position with no oil at all. and a worn filler plug. In the meanwhile I already welded a bolt on the plug, which has broken also. hurray!
I found a syringe (100ml) onto which I could attach a small pipe and already started to fill it via the breather hole, when I suddenly was in doubt if the oil would arrive in the right place...But it seems i made the right choice?
Should take me an hour... taking front diff out takes much more time (for me at least)
So the balance pipe will divide it over the 2 houses?
Thanks!
I recently changed the front CV boots (inner and outer), the plan was to take the diff out but I kept it in place and could finish the job with the front diff loose but still hanging underneath the van. I thought I was going to take it out so already removed the oil to lose some weight, (only 1.5kg I know...) after 25 years it was time to change the oil.
So now I have a front diff in position with no oil at all. and a worn filler plug. In the meanwhile I already welded a bolt on the plug, which has broken also. hurray!
I found a syringe (100ml) onto which I could attach a small pipe and already started to fill it via the breather hole, when I suddenly was in doubt if the oil would arrive in the right place...But it seems i made the right choice?
Should take me an hour... taking front diff out takes much more time (for me at least)
So the balance pipe will divide it over the 2 houses?
Thanks!
I woke up this morning, my brain was gone....
- Aidan
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- Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 19:21
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Re: filling front diff through breather?
if doing both shafts then taking the diff out is quickest as per bentley
Re: filling front diff through breather?
I understand it will be the easiest way to remove the old plug when the diff is out but I'd like to wait to take it out again.
Main question is: Can I damage any parts by filling it via the breather hole?
(speedometer, bearings,..?)

(Why is the breather hole in the VC house and not in the front part?)
Main question is: Can I damage any parts by filling it via the breather hole?
(speedometer, bearings,..?)

(Why is the breather hole in the VC house and not in the front part?)
I woke up this morning, my brain was gone....
Re: filling front diff through breather?
I think it is not possible:
If you pour oil through the filler plug (situated in the front house), the air in the “VC house” (=rear compartiment) will escape through the breather hole.
But if you fill it through the breather hole, the air in the front house will be stuck and has no way out. So there will be more oil in the VC house than normal.
(too much in the VC house and too little in the front (diff) house)
Thank you Gay-Lussac p.V=n.R.T
So, I have to get it out again, damn.
If you pour oil through the filler plug (situated in the front house), the air in the “VC house” (=rear compartiment) will escape through the breather hole.
But if you fill it through the breather hole, the air in the front house will be stuck and has no way out. So there will be more oil in the VC house than normal.
(too much in the VC house and too little in the front (diff) house)
Thank you Gay-Lussac p.V=n.R.T
So, I have to get it out again, damn.
I woke up this morning, my brain was gone....
- Aidan
- Trader
- Posts: 7074
- Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 19:21
- 80-90 Mem No: 742
- Location: Llanfyllin, mid Wales : )
- Contact:
Re: filling front diff through breather? update
the whole thing breathes across the pinion bearing it's not air tight
Re: filling front diff through breather? update
THAT would be great! I managed to fill it this way.
thank you for the help in this rather weird topic
thank you for the help in this rather weird topic
I woke up this morning, my brain was gone....