Water in pumkin

[USSkoval]

Checking the rear diff fluid, it was slightly overfull and the fluid was a milky tan color. This truck looks like it has never seen any deep mud/water, but it got in there somehow.

Here's what I think happened. The vent hose runs up and is mounted right inside the top of the frame rail. Right above this frame rail is a wide metal plate welded to the frame for the gooseneck hitch, and there is a section of bed floor cut out for this plate to clear. Rain water drains from the bed where the large hole is cut. I'm thinking that small amounts of rain water are draining through the hole, dripping on the frame, then running under the top edge of the frame, and finally getting into the breather at the end of the hose. Does this sound possible?

 

[Can Can]

Absolutely possible. What style of breather is installed?

 

[USSkoval]

It's the one with the little floating cap on the end. The way it is mounted, it's basically laying against the frame. It looks like it was assembled that way from day one.

 

[Thunder]

Run a garden hose in the bed and see if that is your problem.
Breathers have a one way valve to vent the rear end but supposed to not allow anything like water and dirt in. If the valve is stuck open it will let water in. The valve at the end of the vent line may need to be replaced. The lines also get old and crack. Your truck may have been used to launch a boat(s). A bad vent valve or cracked line will allow lots of water into the rear end when it is immersed.. Bad news if it is salt water.

 

[USSkoval]

I don't think it was salt water, would that be possible to smell? The fluid smelled fine and felt fine, just a tan color. No abnormal noises either.