Oil Leak Front End - Newbie in need of help

Hi all,

I have recently bought a Jimny last week and its running really well. Just noticed this morning that there is an oil leak on the front bell housing (I think that is what its called).

Please can someone have a look at the pictures I am going to upload and see if they can diagnose the problem. Im hoping its something simple.

Many Thanks

James

PS - The smile im getting whilst driving the car is unbelievable! I love it already.

Hi it looks to be the seal on the diff case plate I can't see the uj or the back of the diff if its wet there it will be diff seal or has it been topped up recently and someone's made a proper mess hope this helps

no not been filled up recently and its leaving small pools of oil about 10cm diameter.

Ill try to get a look at the other side.

thanks for your reply.

Mine did something similar -



After refitting the diff I hadn't nipped the bolts up enough and it's amazing where a little oil leak can spread too...

Yours does look like a leak from either the drain plug or the diff seal...?

thanks for that dave.

Ill have a proper look and see what I can do. I am ashamed to say that I don't know where either of these are but im sure ill be able to find them lol.

When I say newbie I most certainly am that, with very little mechanical comprehension.

The front diff slides into the axle casing like this -



And there is a seal of mastic between the two faces, it may be leaking from there, or simply from the oil drain hole / plug on the bottom of the axle casing, there does seem to be a lot of oil around it in your photo...

I'd start by tightening the 8 bolts around the back of the diff and the oil drain plug, clean the oil off with some old rags and see after a while if it's still leaking.



You'd better top your diff oil up a bit too?



Oil syringe makes it easier...

Hope that helps...

Dave