ASH8

There have been some RX-8's which encounter an oil leak or seepage from either the Differential Pinion Seal (Prop Shaft), or either side of the two Diff Axle Shaft Seals.

There are a few procedures worth looking at "if" you can find leak at it's very early stage, plus as a regular maintenance schedule (look).

What to do...

Check your DIFF BREATHER, yes Breather located on-top of Differential.

If this small push in/pull out breather nipple becomes blocked (mud, snow, ice, etc) it will result in a build up of internal pressure, resulting in oil exiting at the weakest points, the Diff's 3 Oil Seals.

I suggest if you drive on dirt or dirty roads, or creeks or waterways to check this little Breather on top of your Differential regularly.

Unfortunately, IF you have oil leaks in most cases the leaking Seals will also require replacement.

The original Diff Breather (0730-26-060) has been used in Mazda RWD Differentials for the past 40+ years.

There is an updated Breather (established-used mid 2011) for those who consider their environment 'dirty'.
Developed for Mazda CX-7 and CX-9 rear Differential with oil leaks.

While there is no TSB or publicised Mazda fix for other models, I can assure you this new Breather and separate Boot will easily fit and will do a better job.

Here are the new Mazda Part Numbers...all up about $14.00 USD.
B39M-26-060 Breather
B39M-27-763 Breather Hood or Boot

Install...

1. Remove Old Breather.



2. Install New Breather (B39M-26-060)
3. Install New Breather Hood or Boot (B39M-27-763)
4. Face the ventilation hole of the boot backwards as shown below.

ASH8

Please keep in mind this will not prevent or fix a Differential Oil Leak due to age, mileage or normal wear and tear.

fyrstormer

Thanks for this. I wish I'd known about it before having my pinion seals replaced, but at least it was done under warranty. I'll make sure the techs check for this problem if the leak ever reappears.

ASH8

No Problem..

But..please don't think this was the issue for yours...

I think I said fix was for CX-7 and 9 although the principal is the same...they use the exact same breather as all the other RWD Mazda's.

One would really only be an issue if the original breather became blocked, it has been around for 40+ years and been fine up until now, however, Mazda's today are lower to the ground, closer to dirt, mud, sleet, salt, you name it, anything 'could' block OE Breather.

Something we all should check, well all of us who are car carers!..

There is also a Breather on our Transmissions, but this should never be blocked as it is so high up.

fyrstormer

Still, I wish I'd known to check it.

Shumster

iTrader: (2)

Hey, sorry for this thread revival guys.

I just got my axle-diff seal fixed and I tried to get them to put the cx-9 breather on but they wanted to charge an extra 3 hours of labor to drop the diff.

Is there a way of doing it without dropping the diff? Is so how?

Thanks for any insight guys, I really appreciate it!

Shumster

Mr. Fuji

Anyone service this without dropping the diff?

Harlan

iTrader: (3)

I did it on an 07 a few years ago, I don't remember it being particularly hard to get to on jack stands. Might be different on a S2.

Mr. Fuji

Thanks! Will give it a try.

Mr. Fuji

Removed the origional, cleaned, and re-installed without dropping the diff. Just had to reach around the crossmember using a wrench, little turn at a time.
Flushed out the Valve with brake clean and comressed air. The spring behind the check ball seems heavy. Does the newer style still have the spring\ball design? Seems like it takes alot of pressure in the diff to overcome the spring so it will vent.

-=drvr=-

Can anyone confirm that the CX9 breathers will work on the S1 diff aswell? I have a leak on my second diff seal in 4 months - thinking maybe my attempts at cleaning the current breather failed lol

EDIT: It does indeed work on the S1 diff. Hope this helps someone.