Oil leak: Transfer case

[Astron Boy]

So, I noticed last night I had a leak under the car, check all major fluids, could not find a thing wrong.
Drove it very carefully hom, no noises, nothing, drove fine.
overnight, no new leaks.

Drove to work today, again fine, parked till lunch, no leaks.
about to leave Coles Car park and it's leaking, a bit too.

Seems it is coming from the transfer case itself, can't pin point where, but it's leaking quite a bit to be noticeable.

No gouges on it, drain plug and feed plug are still in it......

Any ideas?

 

[Dr RVR]

Rear seal or driveshaft yolk are the common locations, either way do not let the transfer get low on oil... Just my 2C too. Also are you sure it is not above the transfer as the gearbox output for the LHS resides over and could leak onto the transfer from its location.

 

[Astron Boy]

Nah, definitely not the gearbox, as the oil it's leaking is not auto trans fluid.

 

[Dr RVR]

Ok,

If its the rear seal or yolk it will spray the driveshaft tunnel with a thin film of oil, primarily just above the sway bar. You may also notice some burn marks on the exhaust.

 

[Astron Boy]

Okay, just crawled under the car.
doesn't seem to be coming from the rear of the case, seems to be more front/ central.

No spray over the sway bar or anything on the exhaust.

Crap images, but these are the wet spots where there is a drip of oil still hanging on.

 

[Dr RVR]

My last thoughts are input shaft or T Case halves leaking, maybe ask Clutz and see if he knows further

 

[Astron Boy]

Given it's leaking rather badly, and I do not wish to replace a transfer case, I've rung meek to have them check it for me.

In the mean time, I have my pump filler with oil in it that I'll keep topping the thing up when I see it's leaked :blink:

I've had more problems with 4g63 motors and 4wd systems than I have an Astron motor, and that says alot :lol: oh well. pressing on.

 

[MattL]

Yep, I got the same problem too Dan, I'm getting mine checked when my Auto comes out week after next

 

[Astron Boy]

Yep, I got the same problem too Dan, I'm getting mine checked when my Auto comes out week after next

How severe is yours by the way?

And does it happen all the time, or at weird odd intervals?

 

[MattL]

Dunno how bad mine is, I'll let you know...

 

[evo-gsr]

Will be interested to see what you find out as my car is doing the same thing! I've replaced EVERY seal and the prick is still dripping from somewhere, I've given up looking for it!!!
Just remember, a little bit of oil always looks like a lot but in actual fact it's hardly any that you have lost. I have a few spots on my driveway which look like massive spills but after checking gearbox and transfer case levels I was surprised to find both were still full?????
And, the wind blowing under the car when you drive, can make it look like the actual leak is coming from elsewhere.
Good luck, I hope you find it so you can help us both out!!

 

[Astron Boy]

Just remember, a little bit of oil always looks like a lot but in actual fact it's hardly any that you have lost. I have a few spots on my driveway which look like massive spills but after checking gearbox and transfer case levels I was surprised to find both were still full?????
Good luck, I hope you find it so you can help us both out!!

Yeah, meanwhile, my leak is A-LOT.
Going to meek tomorrow, so will post up the verdict once they contact me.

 

[Astron Boy]

Well



We don't know...........


From all we could find, it appeared to be a loose filler nut........
oddly enough, I checked it for tightness, but we did find upon removing the nut that it had 2 washers 1 of which was the wrong size,

So, not really closer to knowing anything yet.
Chris drained the case and refilled with the proper fluid as we found watery gearbox fluid in there.

So, will give it a run and see how it goes.

Meanwhile, we found that some genius had put a bracket from the end of the transfer case onto the exhaust, making the flex pipe redundant..

So that's that fixed, but the exhaust is rubbish and really needs to be changed, so that's the next job I guess.
Chris knows a guy who has a proper computer controlled machine bender, so there can be a generic fit for these cars now, as opposed to 1 off custom jobs that are rubbish, like mine for instance.

 

[Rockabilly]

Dan let us know if it still leaks. Strange how a few of yous have leaks. I have seen around 10 auto transfer case removals & reinstalls with no leaks afterwards.
I've stripped my switchable transfer in bits, swaped gears etc & never a leak. There is a seal in the front section around the internal splined shaft that the
output shaft goes into. It would be the one that could cause a leak up front (if the seal has gone hard). I've never had to replace one & never looked up
the part number for it. The seals used between the sections are huge donut seals around 3½" diameter & they can't move to crack or go hard. I have seen
brown output shafts & brown transfer case internal splines, so condensation from ungaraged cars must cause the brown **** to apear as if it got wet.
A seal running on a dirty brown shaft could eventualy stuff up the seal. My shafts have been brown & haven't stuffed a seal yet. If you didn't take the t/case
off & strip the front section to feel the rubber seal, you'll never know if it feels hard or not. Looking at the outside to find a leak is (no coment)
Cheers !

 

[Astron Boy]

Will do RB.

Meanwhile, the Case wasn't leaking when I got there, and was no leaks on it from my cleaning it the night before so I could see for tomorrow.

So, didn't give us any indication... May simply have been the washer for me, time will tell.
Though I'll keep you advised.

Annoyingly my leak is intermittent and not a constant like lets say.. a perished seal... :unsure:

Meanwhile, was good to get some proper oil in there, it feels much smoother now actually, also doesnt whine!

Need to learn AWDs :huh:

 

[Rockabilly]

Before I pull Matt's t/c off, I'll wipe any sign of oil around the box. If looking at the front seal area looks dry, it must be from above or the oil cooler up front.
He just got the rocker cover leak fixed. His drive from Qld to Sydney will be a good test for showing oil leaks if there is any.
Cheers !

 

[MattL]

Before I pull Matt's t/c off, I'll wipe any sign of oil around the box. If looking at the front seal area looks dry, it must be from above or the oil cooler up front.
He just got the rocker cover leak fixed. His drive from Qld to Sydney will be a good test for showing oil leaks if there is any.
Cheers !

Hah! I got the gasket, can't find a torque wrench thats the right pressure... so I'm still trying to do it... I think I'll get a chance soon enough to do it, but we'll see how I go.
Bloody cars!