Strange rear end fluid leak

[beater]

In the spring when I first moved my Spider after winter storage I noticed a relatively large puddle under the rear end. I noticed no leakage throughout the preceding summer.
This past summer I changed the fluid in the rear end and ran it most of the summer and noticed no leaks at all. About 2 weeks ago I back the car into the corner of the garage where it resides for the winter and when I went in the garage tonite I detected a heavy oil smell and looked underneath and sure enough the rear end had leaked on the floor. I will take a look at seals but I find it very odd that it did not leak during or between uses all summer and then leaked when left idle.
Anyone else ever experience this, I have to wonder if temp has something to do with it?

[kmead]

You might consider whether its a brake fluid leak. Either caliper, the flex hoses or the compensator could all be the source of the leak.

That or something keeps spilling in your trunk whenever you stick it into that corner.

Karl

[fiasco]

I had a bad seal on the diff last year. The more I drove it, the less it leaked. The longer it sat, the more it leaked. I assume that when it got warm, the leak in the gasket closed up a bit, and when it cooled down, it opened up again. Unlike yours, mine leaked all the time, just more when idle and less when driven.

-- se

[beater]

That's a good thought really. Maybe it is the cold making the seal contract. I've changed the axle seals (that was a hell of a job) but I've never changed the pinion seal. Looks like another spring job

[surfingfreeman]

Too much coffee?

[tartan18]

In my case the leak was brake fluid. Ended up replacing all brake components including both hard and soft lines, booster, calipers, etc. Christmas helpers were a bonus

[beater]

I really don't think it's brake fluid based on the smell and viscosity of the liquid. Also all my calipers and lines are new as of 10 years ago and I have had 0 brake issues.