graearea Posted July 18, 2022 Share Posted July 18, 2022 some friendly Vauxhall heads at Blyton park pointed out that for some reason my Rear Right wheel was covered in fluid. we had a bit of a look about and people mentioned that it smelt like diff oil. I had a poke around (the car, the disks and the weather was absolutely boiling so I couldn't get in there and it was just on a jack with no stands) and it looked to me that the brake fluid had a leak as the hardline-flex was completely soaked in fluid. so I did the sensible thing and sprayed it with brake cleaner, wiped it with hand towels and just went back out and sent it.on getting home I cleaned it a bit better and then noticed this.... that breather pipe is pointing perfectly to spray hot diff oil all over a wheel, disc, pad, brake lines, etc.and blyton is a mostly left hand corner track.and it was 33 degrees.anyone want to buy some lightly used rear brake pads?what do we think the solution is? just a much longer bit of pipe that goes all the way up and then zip tied to spray downwards rather than disc-brakewards and a diff top up?a bit like this https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/forum/techtalk/caterham-suprlight-r-diff-breather-componentsis there anything to be done to my disc pads? I can use brake cleaner on the discs and calipers etc, but I guess my pads are toast.anyone know what type of pipe I need?cheers!PS, Blyton is hella fun. if you've not taken your 7, there's few places to hurt yourself and I was topping out around 100mph (I think) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted July 19, 2022 Share Posted July 19, 2022 Check diff oil level. If overfilled it could eject it through the breather Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graearea Posted July 19, 2022 Author Share Posted July 19, 2022 yeha that was the plan. also replace all the fluid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team Shaun_E Posted July 19, 2022 Support Team Share Posted July 19, 2022 I fitted a catch can for the diff breather after a similar experience. Just need a small bottle zip tied somewhere on the rear bulkhead (I think mine is zip tied to the fuel filter) and a longer breather pipe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Paul Richards Posted July 19, 2022 Area Representative Share Posted July 19, 2022 Fit a longer breather pipe. Curl it into a pigtail secure with cable ties and aim it at ground at rear of car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerobod - near CYYC Posted July 19, 2022 Share Posted July 19, 2022 I'd put a catch can/bottle on the end of the tube as any ejected oil could cause a hazard to other cars on track. Ejecting oil on any track I attend would be cause for a black flag and no return to the track until a fix to prevent oil being spread on the track was in place.We had a Corvette with an over heated diff spread oil from the breather on the track the track day before last, caused a 20 min stoppage while oil absorber was spread and then swept up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted July 19, 2022 Share Posted July 19, 2022 make sure the little plastic insert that the breather hose fits over, is fitted the correct way, the inner edge is chamfered and this should face backwards otherwise it encourages oil to be forced up it. Careful as you remove it as the snap easily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted July 20, 2022 Leadership Team Share Posted July 20, 2022 I agree with James, fit a longer pipe and loop it into a small catch tank. Mine's been like that for 10+ years and has never needed emptying! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Paul Richards Posted July 20, 2022 Area Representative Share Posted July 20, 2022 "and has never needed emptying!"Exactly. Thats why you don't need a catch tank. The extra length pipe and the loop should be sufficient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted July 20, 2022 Leadership Team Share Posted July 20, 2022 "Exactly. Thats why you don't need a catch tank"But you don't know whether you need one or not until you've had one and not needed to empty it ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerobod - near CYYC Posted July 20, 2022 Share Posted July 20, 2022 Re #9 - For the tracks I attend, tech requirements sensibly have a rule that all oil and coolant vent and drain pipes must have a catch container if they are not closed systems. The Corvette driver who had never previously had a problem with his diff overheating and expelling oil, but hadn't fitted a catch can, was banned for the rest of the track day after he did expel oil and has to add one before being allowed back for another track day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graearea Posted July 20, 2022 Author Share Posted July 20, 2022 the amount of oil sprayed out wasn't that much, it just coated everything. I'd guess that all the oil that was gonna be blown out now has....but I've ordered some 1/8" tubing and carbuilder solutions offer a small coke sized catch can with a level gauge which might work but I think I might try an actual red bull can first :D.and I need to re-top up the diff oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_Arundel Posted July 20, 2022 Share Posted July 20, 2022 Could be as you say but the rear brakes can (and frequently do) cook the seals on track days if you put the handbrake on in the pits or don`t do a cool down lap.....just saying Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now