I had it replaced again in 2013 when this thread started. The shaft (seal surface) and breather has been checked multiple times. It always starts leaking when we get into real cold weather (northern Canada), but never leaks a large amount. I've always just replaced it out of fear of it starting to leak badly at an inconvenient time, and usually these things don't improve. Again in early 2014 it started it's annual leak again. This time I decided to just keep a close eye on it. It leaked for 2 or 3 months then dried up and has stayed at the proper level for a couple of months now. I can't explain it, but that's what's happened.