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Stupid diff cover leak

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PhxBlazer

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May 17, 2007
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Phoenix, Arizona
Well I bought a new 12 bolt diff cover and I cannot get the thing to stop leaking throught the bottom bolt holes. I've taken them out and filled up the holes with RTV and put bolts back in but still have the leak:confused:. Any suggestions on what to put in there to stop the bolts from leaking without having the pull the diff cover???
 
I'll check to see if the bolts are loose - I don't they have - I put a thick bead of RTV around all of the bolt holes prior to putting on the diff cover then tightened down the bolts (didn't over-tighten them) Just seems like when the diff heats up after use it sqeezes through a few of the bottom bolts and I get a few drips.
 
Couldn't get my rear diff cover to stop leaking either. Kept pulling it, replacing, tried silicone, etc. Every time I noticed the bolts were loose. For some reason I actually ended up comparing bolts, previous owner had replaced the stock bolts with ones that were about 1/4" shorter, getting stock bolts solved the problem.
 
Hoss if you want the no leak cure for sure, next time the cover is off, CAT has some orange final drive sealer I use all the time at work and it will not leak and yal can still get it back apart like RTV. Some wicked stuff, you coat the 2 parts, let dry and assemble.
Note: If the cover is chome you have to scratch it up a lot for anything to seal against it.
 
I always had problems peeling my cover on rocks , never sealing . I used GM bolts and coated both surfaces with RTV and waited until tacky before I assembled and then waited 2 hours before filling .
 
I like to use gaskets when I can.. either sprayed with some hi tack or gasket sealant like Permatex #300, Perfect Seal, etc... I will NOT use a silicone if I'm using a gasket..

In a pinch, no gasket, either Right Stuff or Ultra Black..
 
If it's a chrome pan cover.. ruff up the mating surfaces...
DONT fill it up till it's dry... or it will leak...

DO put a little rtv in the bolt holes...
 
If you filled the holes with silicone, it is possible that the silicone is stopping the bolts from tightening all the way, and then it will leak.
 
I always use the Fel-Pro gasket and rtv on both surfaces, other than normal seepage, I never get any real leaks or peeling problems.
 
clean out old oil and clean gasket serface. then use a tap to bottom out and get all the rtv out of the holes. then clean cover seal area. then rinse off with brake clean on a rag. apply decent coat of sealent ( right stuff ) ( ultra black ) and make sure its on the inner section of the bolt pattern. then install the cover and snug up the bolts. then check them again and make sure tight.

fill with oil and be done. i did this on my old nasty 14ff cover with stock rusty bolts and she isnt leaking 1 drop of oil.
 
I agree with this. You have to clean the bolt holes out before you make the gasket. I like to use Brake Cleaner. Also clean all dirt and oil from the bolts. As you already know, the bottom ones are especially critical. Of course the diff has to be all cleaned out as well or that oil will ruin the new gasket before it cures.

Apply a thin layer of silicone to each surface and assemble. Tighten the bolts until the silicone just starts to squish. Leave it alone overnight. Then tighten the bolts the rest of the way and fill the diff with oil.
 
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