ARB air compressor leaking oil???

I have an ARB air compressor (mini) that controls my rear locker. Just recently noticed oil residue all over my air compressor.

I’ve heard of two potential causes for this.

1) Clogged Diff breather

or

2) Worn out O ring in the locker itself.

One will cost me $10 to replace the rear breather the other $600+ to overhaul the rear locker and replace the O ring.

Anyone ever have this issue happen to them to their ARB air compressor and how did you resolve the problem?

Ps: Is it normal for the air compressor to cycles every now and then when the locker is activated? I hear the the compressor kick on momentarily then turn off when the locker is in use:-/

Thanks for your help

 

Well the breather is very easy to check and replace / relocate all together if needed.

That being said are you sure its actually coming from the compressor, and not just spilled oil for you mechanic or something like that? Seems odd that the wires are all soaked, but the intake on the front of the compressor looks dry.

 

This happens when the oring fails or brass line is nicked the pump pressurizes the whole axle housing and gear oil will migrate up the inside of the airline. Its seems counter intuitive, but I am not a fluid dynamics expert, just have dealt with this a few times with toy arb diffs. Pop the airline off and look for oil residue inside it.

change the fluid first eith a good synth. Sometimes trash gets stuck between the sealing surfaces and causes the leak. Then check bulkhead oring.

pump should only run once.

 

It’s possible the power steering fluid is next to it. Will check if the cap is on tight. That’s the only place where I can think the oil might be coming from???

 

What ended up being your issue? I just found mine leaking today. And my diff blower valve was super crusty with dry mud. Hope that was it!