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Diff breathers

DCPU

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Thanks for that, I happen to have one in my garage. Any further recommendations on specific tools apart from the regular would be much appreciated 👍🏼
Actually, that hex key was ideal for the drain plug but not so good for the fill/level plug on the front diff. Access is hampered by the various huge tubular steel arms ~ I'm not sure whether a socket Allen key and a 6" extension bar would be easier or not. Ran out of time to find an ideal solution today.
 
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So I enlisted some help and set out this afternoon to find the diff breathers...View attachment 7811624

And found them. This is the rear axle, looking back to the rear bumper. The breather is on the "inboard" side. It feels like a small jiggle valve. Apologies for the bad photos, it really is a pig of a place to get to try and photo:
View attachment 7811629
View attachment 7811630

No photos of the front one but it is on the opposite "outboard" side tucked in tight against the upper control arm and coil spring.

I also found out that the diff drain plugs are not underneath the diff housing, but rather in the side:
View attachment 7811631
View attachment 7811632

Thx DCPU. So are the breathers off the ground more than 800mm (31.5")?
 

DCPU

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Thx DCPU. So are the breathers off the ground more than 800mm (31.5")?
No, but if they are one way valves the methodology for them working means they don't need to be above the operational wading depth.

Screenshot_20230520_065815.jpg
 

AnD3rew

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Do you know how they compensate for temperature / pressure changes
When temperature increases and internal pressure increases the spring allows the release of pressure. When you enter water the diff will cool and pressure drop and the cap will seal tight. I guess the question is what happens when after it heats up and vents air, then it cools and a vacuum forms how is that vacuum resolved. Possibly through axle seals which is ok if above water, but you don’t want water coming in through seals.
 

Disco Dave

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Yes, how is water prevented from coming in through the axle seals when the axle is cooled and creates a vacuum? Axle seals are usually sealed from the oil side, are the IG seals also sealed from the water side? Maybe not, as there would be no lubrication on the water side, so the seals would quickly wear out.
 
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I wonder why they aren’t extended via a hose into a higher level, e.g., rear tail light area or engine bay? Should be easy enough to do with some clamps and fuel line. However the transfer case is usually the most difficult to access, at least in a Jeep.
 

TheDocAUS

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UNIVERSAL DIFF KITS (DIFFS, TRANSMISSION & TRANSFER CASE) - HARROP AND ARB - AUSTRALIA

I made some inquires in Australia from makers of two universal diff breather kits on whether they would work on the INEOS. First the Harrop version, and second the competing ARB version.

Harrop responded:
“I can confirm that the Universal Breather Kit will work with your vehicle, although you may possible need to purchase an extra length of breather hose which we will be able to provide to you.

I would suggest purchasing the kit as is as you may not need to additional length of Breather Hose.”


ARB responded:
“Our diff breather kit is very versatile and will definitely work with the Ineos, however you may need to change the fittings that plumb into the diff where the breather attaches.”

The provided links are to the main websites. I believe if you shop around you can get the Kits cheaper at third party suppliers.

Piranha Offroad diff breathers
Piranha Offroad also make a universal diff breather kit but I made no inquires. Their kit is for 2 breathers, the others handle 4. So, double the price if you need 4 breathers. Piranha also supplies a bracket and other diff breather accessories. Piranha seem to offer the most accessories for various model cars, but no INEOS parts.

More choices
Other suppliers include TJM, Superior Engineering, BRC (with a fancy air filter), Aussie Custom Kits and Boss Suspension. Superior Engineering, BRC and ACK kits all look promising.

PDP diff breathers
Here is the link to the PDP diff breather mentioned above. PDP have model specific kits, but no Universal Kit for the INEOS. This is the kit for the Toyota LC200 series. Hilux and 70 series kits are cheaper.

Warning: an important component in any breather kit is high quality tubing that can deal with hot and cold temperatures and contaminants.

I ended up buying the BRC kit, see why below.
 
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Bobby Mac

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My 1996 Defender has 1 from the rear axle behind the cab (about bonnet height), and three on the firewall under the bonnet (almost bonnet height) from front axle, gearbox and transfer case. They are free flow (no valves) but the tubes have a 180 degree bend at the top to deter ingress of dust etc. Seems to work well. My old Series 2A was the old valve on axle, which I modified.
 

TheDocAUS

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I narrowed down my choice to the Harrop, ACK and BRC breathers. I ended up buying the BRC Black Universal Hi-Temp Comp Diff Breather Kit because of the filter. it had six outlets and comes with high quality tubing - plus a 25% discount coupon helped (coupon was 4wdshop). The same kit is also available in blue. Six breather outlets allow me to plumb in the Red Winch if it has a breather (EDIT: red winch have advised the INEOS supplied winch does NOT have a breather fitted).

Other BRC kits are available at lower prices.

I also saw a comment on a retail site that said they had seen many diff breather kits and BRC was the best they had seen, although I did take that with a grain of salt.

EDIT: it has arrived and the BRC Kit is all quality.
 
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I narrowed down my choice to the Harrop, ACK and BRC breathers. I ended up buying the BRC Black Universal Hi-Temp Comp Diff Breather Kit because of the filter. it had six outlets and comes with high quality tubing - plus a 25% discount coupon helped (coupon was 4wdshop). The same kit is also available in blue. Six breather outlets allow me to plumb in the Red Winch if it has a breather.

Other BRC kits are available at lower prices.

I also saw a comment on a retail site that said they had seen many diff breather kits and BRC was the best they had seen, although I did take that with a grain of salt.
Has it been confirmed what the thread size is on the current breathers in the Grenadier?
 

TheDocAUS

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Has it been confirmed what the thread size is on the current breathers in the Grenadier?
I have not found it yet.

I cannot confirm if the Red Winch has a breather either, although I have emailed Red Winch (EDIT: no breather fitted).
 
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Tom109

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Has it been confirmed what the thread size is on the current breathers in the Grenadier?
I have not found it yet.

I cannot confirm if the Red Winch has a breather either, although I have emailed Red Winch.
This post above says the thread is G3/4 (M30x2).

I just did a quick search, if this thread size is correct you’ll likely have to drill & tap the existing plug, or install an adapter to reduce from G3/4 to something smaller with a PTC rotating elbow.
 
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