VTM axle leak????

[Hogan773]

Hi all - went to a stealership to get oil change last October and they told me I had a leak on one side of the VTM axle. They showed me some wet blackness around the area. I am suspicious that they just shot some grease up there. So I called several other dealer service depts and none of them said they've ever done a "repair/replace VTM axle seal", which I was being quoted as $450 job. I decided to clean it off and watch it, as I've never seen any drips on my driveway.

Still no driveway drips. I got in there last night and there is still a LITTLE black stickyness in the area. Either I have a very small leak or I just didn't clean it fully 9 months ago.

Has anyone on here ever had a VTM axle seal replaced? My guess is that even if it is a tiny leak, as long as the VTM fluid is still adequate then I'd rather not pay $450 and go through the risk of "major surgery" on the VTM unit to open it and replace a seal. Is there any way to check the VTM fluid level without emptying it and replacing?

[dustino8]

I don't recall a VTM seal replacement on this forum. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it, especially if its not dripping. In order to check the level, pull the fill plug, and see if you can add any before it flows over. It may even start to flow out slowly once the fill plug is pulled, which would indicate that its topped off.

[rocky]

Originally posted by dustino8
I don't recall a VTM seal replacement on this forum. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it, especially if its not dripping. In order to check the level, pull the fill plug, and see if you can add any before it flows over. It may even start to flow out slowly once the fill plug is pulled, which would indicate that its topped off.

Good advice. You could go through an awful lot of VTM fluid before you hit $450

[Hogan773]

Yeah that's kinda what I thought. There might be a small leak, but I would think that if it were major then I would see a drip on the driveway.

What gets me is that I suspect that the dealer shot some grease up there before showing me what he was talking about. He acted like it was a semi-emergency. The problem was the car hadn't been driven for a week as I was on vacation, then I immediately took it to the dealer and driving over there there was some rear grinding (which I think was just brake rust in hindsight as it was gone by next day). So silly me, I mention that there was some grinding as I drove over. BINGO - Bubba Dealer's mind says CUSTOMER CONCERN so they find (or make) a potential problem to address my "grinding" and then tell me it will cost $450 to fix. My Spidey Senses were going off as soon as they showed me the wet leak area (with all that wetness I'm surprised I've never seen a drop on the driveway????)

They said "well I guess you can drive it for a few days but you really should have it taken care of within the week"

Not sure whether they would just take my $450 and then put some degreaser up there, or whether they would actually attempt to open up the VTM system and change the seal. Beyond the money, I'm not a fan of "elective surgery" by Bubba on a critical item like VTM.

Now I am intrigued about trying to do my VTM and ATF fluid change rather than paying $120 in labor for the shop to do it (BTW I am not going back to that dealer - I've targeted an independent shop for the next time I need maintenance)

[dustino8]

Originally posted by Hogan773

Now I am intrigued about trying to do my VTM and ATF fluid change rather than paying $120 in labor for the shop to do it (BTW I am not going back to that dealer - I've targeted an independent shop for the next time I need maintenance)

If you can change the motor oil, you can change the VTM and AT fluids. Both are relatively simple and straight forward.

[Hogan773]

I need to read on changing the oil, but it looked hard on the Pilot to locate the filter.

Off topic but WTF is Honda's problem with the cabin air filter.....on my BMW I turn 3 plastic clips, pop out the old, pop in the new. Sits right below the windshield wipers.

Honda you have to take out glove box, CUT A PLASTIC BAR OUT, loosen 2 kinds of nuts, etc.

Do they engineer this to keep the stealerships awash in money? Seriously.

[dustino8]

Originally posted by Hogan773
I need to read on changing the oil, but it looked hard on the Pilot to locate the filter.

The oil filter is located near the front passenger side tire. Couldn't be easier to locate or replace.

The cabin filter sounds a bit complicated, but once you've done it, it pretty easy to do a second time.

[Hogan773]

Is there a DIY with pics on the oil change? I saw a good one for ATF and VTM. Or is the oil change so simple for you experienced guys that you don't need a sticky with pics?

Do you just use a strap wrench or the actual Honda filter wrench?

[dustino8]

I use a strap wrench.

I don't recall a DIY for an oil change, but I could be wrong.

[dgilfillen]

Hello,

I had a similar issue to yours. My driver's side inner axle seal actually leaked to the point that it left a spot on the driveway. Liquid was black in color, but VTM fluid inside was totally clean.

I cleaned off the seal area with brake cleaner, and it actually dripped one more time after that. I had a thought that the vent for the rear differential "might" be clogged, so I followed the vent hoses, and disconnected them where they go into the cab of the vehicle. I tuckked them up high above the frame, so water was not likely to get in.

I have had no issues since. Hope this helps!