XK8 - Topping up differential.

[Zennan101]

My XK8's diff seals are weeping. As far as I can tell it's not a significant leak. There's no visible oil and no drips just a slightly oily film. I know that a diff failure is horrifically expensive so I need to get this problem put right but my immediate need is to check the level and top up if necessary but can't find anything on the Bulletin Board that indicates this is actually possible. There's a breather and a level plug shown on the technical diagrams but posts would suggest that these are completely inaccessible. Is this actually the case or is there a way to top up transmission fluid without dismantling the back end of the car? Can anyone advise please.

[ihouston]

Can be topped up through the level plug at the top -I made up a shortened drive unit to fit in the plug and attached to a ratchet spanner as you have said access is tight but it is possible and not that difficult once you get the tools right
I sucked all my oil out on mine using a pump and refilled with new oil

[doug424]

Hello Zennan 101 et al.
I wanted to do this on my 1998 convertible, but there is a re-inforcing plate fixed to the front face of the spare wheelwell and to my eyes access is all but zero. I did get a response the last time I asked and some dismissive soul said it was quite do-able and I should stop moaning and get on with it...
To my eyes the only way to do this on my car is to take the diff off.
Answers on a postcard please...

Doug Barrass,
Ashford, Kent.

[ihouston]

Doug my car is a 2002 coupe and is definitely doable - I live in Ashford so feel free to pop round and I will gladly show you on my car - I take the plug out every other service to check the level

[Zennan101]

Many thanks guys for the replies. I appreciate it. You have confirmed that where there's a will there's a way!

When you say the plug at the top do you mean the breather at the very top or the hidden drain/level plug half way up?
I can see that if you suck the old oil out and replace with a measured amount of new oil you will have the correct amount of oil in the diff plus a little 'extra' that the 'suck' leaves behind.

More than just a top up but new clean oil can only be good!

Rod

[ihouston]

Not the breather the level plug about 3/4 of the way up the diff I ground off the drive end of an extension bar -then put flats on the rounded shaft of the bar to fit a ratchet spanner keeping it all as slim as possible - then with a little bit of manouvering you can locate the drive in the plug and undo it is tight for space but quite easy once you get the fabricated tooling right

[Zennan101]

Great. Got it. Many thanks.

[Zennan101]

Update on situation. My local general purpose garage were kind enough to put my car on the ramp to take a look at the diff oil leak with me under the car as well. They had no problem popping out the drain/level plug with standard tools despite restricted access. Verdict: Oil level fine, leave everything alone and monitor from time to time......a tiny leak of oil spreads a long way!