Leaking Differential
 

Hello everyone. I was puttering around in my garage last night and noticed a spot of oil on the floor near the back of the car ('97 S420). A quick feel & sniff confirmed it was gear oil. So I head under the car with a flashlight, and sure enough there's fresh oil leaking out of the front of the differential. I assume it would be a front oil seal or similar part.

Now here's my question: How much of a pain is it to repair? I'm a moderately competent DIYer, but I fear I may be in over my head on this one. Should I just give up now and take it to the shop? Would I still be safe in driving the car for a while in this condition? I don't really have the cash on hand right to take it in and in my mind this repair has a "$1,000" sign blinking over it. Thanks!

Just a thought, but is it possible that the diff is over-filled and some fluid blew out of the vent? I had just completed a 100mph+ "test run":D down an empty stretch of highway when I noticed it. Come to think of it, the fluid that leaked looked brand new!

Its quite normal for diffs to leak. Wipe it dry and keep an eye on it. If it continues to drip I'm sure its a job someone here will be able to talk you through.

It shouldn't have been possible to over-fill though, unless you filled it through the vent (can't see why you'd do that though!)

vent. 98% positive.

You really Must Check the diff oil level !!
 

You might have been leaking for a while and are now at low fluid level. This could lead to a total failure.
I faced a situation where (while still under Starmark warr., thank goodness) my diff began to make a lot of noise.

Checking the PO's repair tickets I see where a front seal was installed at abt. 50K. I suspect it was run low...
and was repaired to stop the leaking front seal, but at 97K I experienced the failure.

Whatever you do keep the level correct if you continue to drive it.

Luck to you,
DanielW