while i was replacing a couple of muffler hangers, i noticed my differential a little wet. the p.o. did tell me about a potential leak in the differential and gave me the new seal also. judging from the pic, it would seem logical that the leak is at the pinion oil seal of the final drive since it would leak and the moving motion would push the oil back and cover the entire differential. or would there be another spot where the leak would be ?
is this a common leak ?
is this an doable dyi job ?
if not, about how much should something like this cost at a shop ?
thanks.

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1982 240D 4spd 232k (deceased)

As far as that vent goes, its normal to have some greasy accumulation around it after 20 some years in service from the oily vapors breathing thru it.
(It's also how water gets in there if you drive in or it sits in a flooded area).
Generally a leak at the pinion will stream oil back from the origin, however the rotation of the driveline/pinion shaft will also sling an oily ring on everything in line with the seal, thats the easiest sign of a pinion leak. It looks pretty clean to me in the pics, just that one wet mount there. Have you checked the oil level in it lately? might be why its damp but not dripping/slinging oil. If the pinion is the leak point, it will need to be done by a shop, as there are special tools and critical gear alignments and preloads involved, getting to the seal requires disassembling the shims/crush washers that hold those alignments(which are one time use parts that would need to be replaced).

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Chris
64 190D R.I.P.
80 240D W/617 engine -for sale
82 240D -for sale

yeah, i had it check about 2500 miles ago. since then, i've been watching the floor for signs but so far so good. i might change the oil just so i know its fresh. there are signs of oil being thrown around it if you look.

its been clean recently to see if i can notice new oil drips. since there are none, not even one drop on the floor, i might not worry about it for now until the cash is available to do the work. any idea on shop cost for that ?

are there other work related to this that would be good to do at the same time ?

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1982 240D 4spd 232k (deceased)