Front Diff breather continues to leak

I ordered this one to fit all the possibilities since I'm having the same problem.

$13 Mr. Gasket 9706 Universal Clearview Fuel Filter

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00068OR8M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8

 

Nice, thanks! I started having issues after regearing and using Lucas, too. I may send ECGS an email and get their thoughts.

 

I am 99% sure it is 1/4" just like the rear diff breather mod uses. I am still having some fluid coming out of the breather even with my mod but it is quite a bit less. I believe the fluid overflow occurs when it is cold outside and as the diff starts to warm up a bit it will push fluid up the hose as the pressure difference inside the diff is higher than the atmosphere. The 1/4" hose is not large enough for a drain back situation with the thicker gear oil. Possibly, the bottleneck is the fitting on the differential. I have not looking into it yet but I would like to find a 3/8" union fitting for the differential to run a larger diameter hose up to the fuel filter housing, which theoretically would allow better drain back. The "outlet" of the fuel filter housing can still use 1/4" with the stock breather as that should just be air moving through that section.

 

And furthermore, I guess I failed to answer your question! I cannot remember what fuel filter I went with. But, I do know it was a universal type with several fittings for different sizes of hoses. I was on a road trip and stopped by a Napa and bought what they had in stock. It has chrome ends and a glass body. I also ended up opening up the ports on the inside of the filter to allow for better drain back.

 

Were you able to fix the issue? Next time you change the fluid consider adding an anti-foaming agent. Many years ago I had a similar issue with a piece of ag equipment. Upon inspection, I discovered the fluid was foaming and kicking up to the vent hole (no tube). Appeared to be a leak but never really lowered the gear oil. A small amount of anti-foaming agent solved the issue. I also noticed that the foaming gear oil left an odd residue where it was leaking (possibly what you are seeing in the tube). A normal leak would just look like regular gear oil. I also wonder if the CO elevation is negatively impacting the issue.

 

I think I’ve seen those. I am going to email ECGS and see what they say and report back.

 

ECGS said the front locker takes up more space and this displaces more oil if you put the factory specd amount in (which I did, maybe more). I had a hunch that was it. They said it should remedy itself.

 

Just received a more in depth response from ECGS-

"The main issue and it is fairly common is oil flow and the ARB. The ARB seal housing blocks oil flow from the tube back to the diff more so than the factory set up. The breather is located on the tube side of the seal housing so oil gets caught right at the breather. If you drain the diff it does not drain the tube. If you overfill diff it will spill over into the tube and can’t get back. This also happens even if you don’t overfill.

New diffs build more heat and oil expansion happens, so more oil than normal gets into the tube. The solution is to drain the tube by removing the actuator. 4 bolts, plastic box, that has shift fork attached on tube. Pull the actuator and let the oil drain out. Not a whole lot will come out. Reseal and you should be good from here on out. Some times you have to do it twice. I have had one customer have to do it 3 times. Once diff is broken in it will stop and self-regulate. Not everyone has to do it but if you do have to typically you only have to do it once in the early stages."

 

Anyone ever try what ECGS recommended? Running into the same issue after Nitro gears and ARB front locker.

 

I let it ride and it’s been fine. It eventually stops puking.