Diff & transmission breathers are standard on 4×4 vehicles and it allows the diff’s & transmission to breath with expansion & contraction with temperature changes. For instance, should you go through a pool of cold water, that is diff height, after a long drive and the diff is at operating temperature, the diff with cool down at a rapid rate and so the oil contracts causing a vacuum in the diff which is equalised with the air coming through the breather. Standard diff & transmission breathers are often very short and get clogged with dust over time. So next time you go through a pool of water your diff or transmission could suck in water through the seal if the breather is blocked. Check the video below for exactly what that looks like on ROAM’s Hilux.
Extending your diff breathers into your engine bay ensures that your diff is getting clean air and no water goes into the diff. Diffs & transmissions have oil in to make them run without friction (or transmit the energy from the engine to drive the vehicle in an Automatic Transmissions) and getting water into them will damage the bearings, gears & other internals. So a diff / transmission breather kit is like an insurance policy on your vehicle if you drive on dusty roads or through any water.
At Revhouse we sell and install Terrain Tamer’s diff breather kits. It’s also a pretty easy thing to do as a DIY project if you enjoy working on your 4×4. Terrain Tamer’s kit comes with installation instructions if you want to buy the kit and install it yourself.
Get those diff breathers sorted in time for wet and rainy 4×4 trips! Summer will be here before we know it.
