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Feb 7, 2015 | 07:05 PM

fyredude

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Joined: Aug 2014

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From: Wi. Rapids, WI

Line to nowhere

Wife's 97 Ford Explorer Sport has a front differential fluid leak from what appears to be a vacuum line coming up from the differential to the drivers side of the engine compartment. It has a natural curve indicating (maybe) that it headed toward the firewall This is a black line and it is Teed on the end.
I have looked high and low and cannot find a connection point. Any thoughts?? Thanks!

Feb 8, 2015 | 09:17 AM

shorod

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Joined: Jun 2009

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From: Cedar Rapids, IA

Sounds like that's just a vent for the front differential. The rear will have one too.

FWIW, if that vent gets plugged, the pressures created in the differential have a tendency to push fluid out the axle seals.

-Rod

Feb 8, 2015 | 03:13 PM

fyredude

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Joined: Aug 2014

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From: Wi. Rapids, WI

Thanks for the response. The top of the black hose has a definite T connector on it as if it was/is supposed to be spliced into a dedicated line. It is from this T connection that the differential fluid is leaking. I guess if it is a vent line, it is better that it leak there then at the seals. Will continue to explore the area where it could reach a connection point. Thanks again.

Feb 8, 2015 | 09:42 PM

shorod

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Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 4,812

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From: Cedar Rapids, IA

It sounds like someone installed a tee at one point instead of the little mushroom thing that is supposed to limit the chance of water getting in. There's nothing in the front differential that would require vacuum....

-Rod