i just got my oil change done, and the mechanic told me that my rear differential
*might be leaking* im dropping the car off to honda tomorrow..
but i want to know what the worst case scenario would be if it was true...

 

worst case? the whole assembly is gone and you would need a new differential unit, a used one can be around 1500 bucks. hopefully its just the gear and pinion.

 

you could have a crack in the outter housing. if so honda dealers have a bond that they use on engine blocks. my housing had a crack and was leaking fluid they used this bond stuff and no problems now for 5k miles. this way you don't have to replace anything. they pulled mine down sanded and filled. let sit for a day. i dopped it off in the morning and took it home that night.

 

I see you have an '00. Has the car EVER had a diff fluid change? How many miles on it? I'm thinking if it has never had a fluid change, that fluid is possibly like mud, with lots of metallic particulates, more than the magnet can hold. These particulates have worked their way into one or more of the seals and ruined it/them. If this is the case, then the seals need to be changed.
If you are very lucky, then it will be gasket goo where the pumpkin cap bolts to the main housing. This goo may simply have deteriorated and is letting fluid out.
The big question is: If you have let your fluid get this bad, what else has all that particulate matter done to your diff's insides? We've seen just how bad diff fluid can get, even a few thousand miles from new. It should be changed within the first few thousand miles and then every year thereafter.
ps. Make sure the dealer knows what the correct fluid to replace with. Most do not and put the wrong fluid in and fry your diff within weeks.

 

thnx for all the help guys. ill make note of it when i see them tomorrow.

Xviper: i did change it about 2 oil changes ago ha ha.
im hoping its just the gasket.. *crossing fingers*

 

Smart lad/lass! Can you tell where it's coming from?

 

Any chance it was overfilled and leaked out through the vent?

 

im just waiting for honda to call me.. *thinking postive* lol