Air locker question

[fourbyphil Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close fourbyphil]

So I was hosing a bit of crud out from under the bonnet and noticed the solenoid for the air locker that sits on the compressor is leaking a bit of oil mist into the engine bay. Have looked again since but it only does it after a day of off roading and using the locker .
Is this normal??
A few of the guys I drive with have lockers but it doesn't happen to theirs.... I thought I read somewhere that it does happen in some cases, but can't seem to find any info

Cheers
Phil

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

It shouldn't happen but it's not uncommon. It's the pneumatic seals that are the problem, I have had mine replaced but they are misting a bit again.

Cheers Andrew

[winniliss Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close winniliss]

Which is why I will be looking at an electronic activated locker. Should be less issues unless people say otherwise.

[Brad_kosij Member Find all posts View Profile Close Brad_kosij]

It's a common problem with air lockers, sometimes when the installer presses the bearings in it can slightly scoar the shaft and being the seal housing sits on outside of this it lets a little oil through each time you select it.
Arb do have something to put inline to help oil coming back up but I don't think it stops it..

It doesn't mean it's stuffed the oil doesn't hurt anything.. Just messy.
One of the ones in my competition hilux does it, and the compressor is in the cabin, I just put a exhaust kit in it so instead of it coming out the solenoid it goes through a airline and I fed it into classy rail so I can't hear it or smell the oil.

Brad

[fourbyphil Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close fourbyphil]

Thanks for the replies guys, I ended up taking it to ARB , they are replacing the seals under warranty. They said it is common with poorly installed pneumatic seals . He said they should last for years but will eventually wear out. Interesting.....
Cheers
Phil

[Skip Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Skip]

Had this happen in my 80, replacing seals was an option but a cheaper option if not under warranty is to replace the solenoid vent with another line fitting and extending the port with some air line to inside the chassis rail. No more visible mist or diff oil smell and some rust protection for the chassis rail. Not for some but worked for me as mine where not in warranty.

[samo Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close samo]

my locker in th prado was doing the same thing a while ago, oil comming out and leave a trail, but it was replaced under waranty that was 3 years ago and was good until the day i traded it, so time will tell what will happen in the future. cheers samo

[fourbyphil Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close fourbyphil]

Good idea running a hose into the chassis rail...will keep that one in mind if it happens again
Cheers
Phil

[Rusty62 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rusty62]

Had twin lockers in my 80 series. I installed the diffs myself and spent a lot of time getting the o ring seals positioned correctly. Also polished the inner sleeve to eliminate as much wear on the o rings as possible. The seals had done over 200000 km and never replaced. They started to leak a little in the end and like other I had a extension on the exhaust port of the valve to inside the chassis rail. The trick is not to damage the diameter the o rings run on and to have them setup so the o ring housing in clear and not rubbing.
Rusty.

[Terry Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Terry]

I have had an air locker for about 2 years and no misting of oil so far, but a mate has just had his Eaton locker removed and sent back to Eaton as his was locking up when the vehicle was cold. His was one of three different vehicles that were having problems from the same supplier.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Hi Terry, so was it the way it was installed or was it the actual locker with the problem ?? Just asking as I'm going to have an elocker fitted to mine before the years out. I havn't heard of any issues with the elockers....Will be interesting to see what the issues are when you speak to him next ??? (need to catch up, Our little one keeps asking about your granddaughter, wont mention there names on here) That link above looks like it had some hairy moments in it. Don't think Id ever do it with out sliders..... Cheers Steve

[Terry Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Terry]

G'day Steve, as far as I understand it was the locker itself.

I would suggest this to everyone having a locker fitted, get your old diff center back so if there is a problem at least you have still got your old one.

Eaton would not supply another locker, they wanted the troubled locker back first for testing.

Steve, PM sent.

Cheers, Terry

[Rusty62 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rusty62]

Whoops

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

G'day Steve, as far as I understand it was the locker itself.

I would suggest this to everyone having a locker fitted, get your old diff center back so if there is a problem at least you have still got your old one.

Eaton would not supply another locker, they wanted the troubled locker back first for testing.

Steve, PM sent.

Cheers, Terry

Old post I know, but the warranty process of Eaton is the reason why I went Arb!, 5 year warranty, they did it, they fix it.
I'm told its the fitting & what oil you use, weather your seal lasts, Don't use LSD oil in an Arb locker.

[Scruffy Member Find all posts View Profile Close Scruffy]

Don't use LSD oil in an Arb locker.

What do you recommend then as most 80w90 are LSD oils as well?