So, I've been reading the posts and decided to change my lube. Read the manual and it said to run the car to warm up the lube so I went for a 30 min drive and when I got back, for grins,I decided to pull the FILL plug,(With my new tool),to check the oil level before I drained the gearbox. As I removed the plug,I heard a hissing sound so I pulled off the vent hose but it was fine. I put it back on and blew on it and was plugged solid. So, I carefully stuck a long needle into the vent tube and then hooked up my hand vacuum up and sucked out the junk; seemed more like dirt that over the years was drawn into the transaxle ever time It cooled.
I used to work on log trucks many years ago and we always were on the lookout for plugged axle vents to help prevent premature wheel seal failure.
Incidentally, the gear oil I drained out looked good so it had not been neglected and I would never had checked the vent, had it not been for that hissing sound when I pulled the fill plug.
Steve
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