'91 200qw leaking

[ekellock@juno.com]

Of course, just before I need to drive to Mpls (3.5 hours) and leave the
car sitting for 9 days at the airport, something had to happen.

It seems to be leaking differential fluid/trans fluid.  It appears to be
coming out of the right side axle seal.  The temps here have been very
cold and I haven't noticed any leaks before so I'm putting two and two
together.  Could the cold weather have caused a borderline seal to start
leaking?  I first noticed this as a very hot smell from under the hood
since the catalytic converter is right below and behind the leak.  It was
much noticeably worse when I parked sideways on a hill with the car
leaning to the right quite a bit... won't do that again soon.  Guess I've
got to check the level and top off if necessary before I head out.

If I'm topping of with a different type of fluid, will that pose a
problem for the short term?  Is this a common failure?  Does it make
sense that cold weather made this problem worse/noticeable?

Ed Kellock        QCUSA Member #2882
Lansing, IA
91 200qw - Indigo blue, titanium leather, IA Stage 3
87 gt coupe - Alpine white, white leather, TSW Evo's