2009 Sierra Problem (grey Milky Fluid In Front Differential)

modpup · December 22, 2009

Hey guys i just wanted to inform you on a problem i just encountered on my 2009 Sierra 5.3 Litre. I bought it brand new. I live in Canada in a cold Province where it has been around the 30 below celsius lately. My truck has 8200 kilometers on it, which converts to 5100 miles. I went to do my oil change, i do my own. I have worked on vehicles my whole life. My dad is a heavy duty mechanic and has been for 45 yrs. I grew up helping him in our family garage. Anyway, i changed oil in it yesterday and i thought i would check my front differential fluid. To my disgust, i take the plug out and check it and it is milky and looks like it has water in it. I was like, "what the f%&k?". The truck has never barely seen rain let alone driving through water. The dealer was closed when this happened so i took it there this morning. They checked it out and sure enough there was milky shit in there. So, they took it into service and checked everything out. They came back and told me they found no problems. The mechanic said it was not water or condensation. He said it looked like Grey paint. He said he has seen this a couple of times in his career. I am not sure what to believe. Has anyone else came across this? They flushed it out and changed the fluid. $110 later of course. They told me to drive it for a week then bring it back, if it is milky again they will do more looking and not charge me for it. I dont think i should of had to pay. I never put grey paint in there. What do you guys think.

I know i rambled on at the beginning, but i wanted to tell you all the facts.

gbieber05 · December 22, 2009

I don't know what to tell you about the "grey" fluid other than i have seen diff. that have seal leaks and turn a milky color. But i think its B.S. that your dealer charged you to flush it knowing that it only had 5200 miles on it and you sure the heck wouldnt put paint in your own truck. I would suggest that if you have to take it in again for the same problem to request a refund of your $110.00

ybsane · December 22, 2009

Hey guys i just wanted to inform you on a problem i just encountered on my 2009 Sierra 5.3 Litre. I bought it brand new. I live in Canada in a cold Province where it has been around the 30 below celsius lately. My truck has 8200 kilometers on it, which converts to 5100 miles. I went to do my oil change, i do my own. I have worked on vehicles my whole life. My dad is a heavy duty mechanic and has been for 45 yrs. I grew up helping him in our family garage. Anyway, i changed oil in it yesterday and i thought i would check my front differential fluid. To my disgust, i take the plug out and check it and it is milky and looks like it has water in it. I was like, "what the f%&k?". The truck has never barely seen rain let alone driving through water. The dealer was closed when this happened so i took it there this morning. They checked it out and sure enough there was milky shit in there. So, they took it into service and checked everything out. They came back and told me they found no problems. The mechanic said it was not water or condensation. He said it looked like Grey paint. He said he has seen this a couple of times in his career. I am not sure what to believe. Has anyone else came across this? They flushed it out and changed the fluid. $110 later of course. They told me to drive it for a week then bring it back, if it is milky again they will do more looking and not charge me for it. I dont think i should of had to pay. I never put grey paint in there. What do you guys think.

I know i rambled on at the beginning, but i wanted to tell you all the facts.

I use to four wheel too many times to count in my younger days and got water everywhere. That is water in your diff. if it looks milky grey. As soon as water mixes with gear oil it will make that murky grey mess. I always pulled my cover off and sprayed everything down with brake-cleaner and than re-fill. There should be a vent somewhere at the top for a breather, If the dealer checked it out than hopefully should be OK.

MarkD · December 23, 2009

Seriously doubt there is that much condensation, but it does sound like water in the lube. Should have been a warranty issue. Something had to leak.

56kz2slow · December 23, 2009

It's too bad you did not take a sample of the oil for testing. It probably is a cheap test in a lab to see if there is water in the oil or not.

Zembonez · December 23, 2009

It's too bad you did not take a sample of the oil for testing. It probably is a cheap test in a lab to see if there is water in the oil or not.

+1

The only way to know for sure what the contamination is would be an analysis. Technicians all have opinions but some are based on facts and some are based on BS.

Ryan00TJ · December 23, 2009

When I changed my factory oil at 3K miles it was the same way. I've had water mix with the gear oil in my TJ's axles before and that is what the oil looked like except it was more of a gray color vs milky white. I drained it and refilled with Mobil 1 75W-90 Synthetic and have not checked it since. I have no problems and the 4X4 works fine. I might pull the plug and drain a little bit and see if this M1 oil did the same thing.

txdutt · December 23, 2009

don't remember the exact color of the diff fluid when I changed mine out at 25k miles but do recall it was odd looking--I'd heard the GM Grape Juice they use doesn't look like anything else...refilled both ends with Mobil1

modpup · December 23, 2009

Hey guys,

Yeah i would describe the oil to be more of a grey than a milky colour. It was alarming nonetheless. Thats all i need is to have knocked out the differential b/c of something so dumb. Especially when i was not my fault it the least. It would have been different if i left it in there for 100000 miles and never touched it but at 5100 come on. Thats brutal. I hope the problem is solved but knowing my luck it wont be. I have terrible luck. I will keep you posted when i take it back there for the test again.

FargoZ71 · December 23, 2009

Drained mine after 4x4n some water holes this summer.. no water in mine at all.. ust dark.

Your saying its really cold outside, this vent there talking about get ice in/on it? And every time you pull in to your garage from when its cold outside I can see it condensing down. short trips + frequent garaging.. But either way im with these guys thats bull and the dealer should of covered it under the power train warranty.

punmax · December 23, 2009

Wouldn't be surprised if GM added water to save costs.

Spurshot · December 23, 2009

It sure sounds like water. Anyone know if there are any additives that the factory might be using? Molybdenum?

Silverado4x4 · December 23, 2009

Somewhere up north, an Unemployeed Auto Worker is reading this post & laughing his butt off. Never underestimate the power of a pissed off UAW gangster.

modpup · January 1, 2010

Update After 600 Miles:

Hey guys thanks for all your responses. I appreciate everyones help and opinions.

I drove the truck for 600 miles then took it back to the dealer to have the differential fluid checked. They took a sample of it out and it looked alot better. I thought it still looked a little funny but i have no experience to know what good compared to bad is. The service manager looked at it with me standing there and he said it was fine. I said as long as it is documented that you think so and give me the okay to continue to drive it i am happy.

Then i was aggressive with him and told him that i want a refund for the 109 dollars it cost me the 1st time i was there to get it changed. He was not there the 1st time i had it changed. So, after a little calm debating he told that he would do some investigating and see what he could do. So, i left doubting that i would i would get mony back. To my surprise i wasnt home for an hr and i got a call from him and he explained that it was a gm problem and not mine and i would be getting a cheque in the mail for my 109 within a week.

I am happy with this. I guess my dealership came through. I just hope thats the end of the problems for awhile lol.

Again, thanks guys