Occasional HIGH Grinding sound/small oil loss

[david2226]

This first happened about 3 months ago 10 days after buying my 1st Bongo 2.5 td. Been out for a day
trip of about 60 miles, returning home a horrible high grinding whineing noise was heard from the front end of the
van and a smell of oil (black looks like sump oil)
Stopping at a layby i found oil smeared up on the inside of the front passengar wheel arch and around
the front diff ?, didn't drive any further and got a lift home form the AA.
Took it around to the bongo garage where i bought the car but they could not find anything wrong.
Since then been driving around locally with no problems whats so ever ( 30-70mph).
Yesterday however same thing happened again. It seem that it happens when travelling at a constant
high speed for more than 30 minutes. This time i stopped the van for a few minutes then carried on driving
keeping below 50 mph with no more problems. All oil levels are at correct levels engine looks really clean only
sign of oil is underneath the van around the front diff
Please could someone help me, is the sound and oil coming from the Diff / turbo or what?

Merry Xmas to all and a Happy New Year

david2226

[francophile1947]

Welcome to the madhouse - if you put your location in your profile, it helps us to help you with local assistance.
I'm sorry but I can't think of anything that fits your symptoms, but somebody else will be along.
It would help if you could post some photos - details of how to do so can be found in the Guidance section, at the top of the forum.

[teenmal]

Hi Dave,the only thing that I can think of at the moment is,badly worn brake pads+brake fluid leak,or CV joint.Or front wheel bearing.
Hope this helps.

All the best Mal..

[helen&tony]

Hi
Same as Teenmal, or maybe steering leak (i can't remember how far the rack components extend)....have you checked axle oil level, brake and steering levels ??
Cheers
Helen

[bigdaddycain]

The mention of oil/grease splattered inside the wheelarch suggests you have a CV joint problem, Or quite possibly the fluid has broken down in the front diff, and is causing it to fail.

Is there a grating,clicking, or graunching sound on full lock?

[david2226]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I'll have a closer look tomorrow at the front diff and CV joint.
Drove in and back from plymouth today (about 12 miles) no problems!Still not sure whats going on???

[mikeonb4c]

I helped a guy who had bought a Bongo in the NW and was driving it up home to Scotland when he'd hada problem rather like this (oil covering one of the front tyres and wheel arch. I think it must have been something to do with the front wheel drive mechanism (e.g. ruptured oil seal on half shaft, don't have a 4WD myself so don't really know what I'm atlking about!). Is yours 4WD? If so then, as said above, suspect something to do with a driveshaft/CV. Either way, the garage that sold it to you should be fixing it under warranty. Accept no stories about 'seems fine to us'. Good luck - keep us posted

[lizard]

As they say, location location location.

[david2226]

Hi All,
Thank for all your help.
It was the front diff which had gone, very expensive.
Manage to find a second hand one, bought and got it
fitted for £300 all in,not bad i think?

Dave

[Doone]

Good to hear it's sorted.