Checking Fluid Levels

[Dhugalmac]

I have a 72 FJ-40. The owner before I purchased it or the owner before him converted it by putting in the 350 V8 & a 4-speed transmission. In general it works well.

But it had a fluid leak mid-chassis and by testing the oil dip stick it wasn't the oil.

Now the leak has stopped, but I am afraid that it means that wherever it was leaking from, it is now out of fluid.

I crawled into the engine compartment and looked all over, but I can't find any transmission or transfer case dip stick.

Any suggestion on how/where I can check the fluid in the transmission and transfer case so that i can finally determine which of the two was actually leaking and if it is now out of fluid?

Thanks

 

[brian]

transmission or transfer case.
pull fill plugs and check the levels.

 

[reddingcruiser]

Assuming it's not anti-freeze and the fluid is somewhere UNDER the vehicle, there's only a handful of sources the fluid can come from:
Engine
Transmission
Transfer case
Clutch master cylinder
Clutch slave cylinder, or

The last two on my list, brake line (bad fitting/rust pin hole, bad flex line) or brake master, take a bit of looking because brake fluid can travel a ways before dripping off.

Have you dropped the skid plate for a closer look?

 

[Dhugalmac]

The leak was most definitely UNDER the center of the vehicle and appearing to come from the bell housing junction to the next component in line to the rear (that would be the transmission?)
But, like roof leaks, fluid leaks don't always drop off the vehicle exactly where the leak is coming from, but instead it can flow around looking for the lowest point - leaving me with some uncertainty.

There is no skid plate installed so removing that is not an issue.

I don't believe its coming from the Engine because the Oil dip stick is not showing it to be low.
I will check the radiator fluid level to see if it might be coolant, but it looked more "oily" than coolant.

"pull fill plugs and check the levels." That is certainly logical, and I was hoping to find dip sticks to make that easier.
But without them, I'm not sure where the fill plugs are located.

 

[reddingcruiser]

Unless there's a HUGE puddle under your 40, you probably wouldn't notice it on the dip stick.

Pull the inspection cover from the bottom of the bell housing and take a flashlight and see if oil is coming from the rear of the engine (leaking down behind the flywheel ) or the front of the transmission.

Otherwise, thoroughly degrease the drive train, take the 40 for a spin for an hour or two and see if you see fresh oil then trace it to it's source.

 

[Helipilot]

If you have the original transmission and transfer case then the fill hole for the transmission is on the drivers side about 1/3 - 1/2 up from the bottom of the transmission housing near the rear. The transfer case is right around the corner of the transmission on the left rear of the transfer case and again, near the bottom 1/3 of the housing. The procedure is to remove the large hex head bolt and see if the oil is to the brim or edge of the hole. This is for both items. The book calls for SAE 90 weight gear oil. If you don't know what the PO serviced the items with I would suggest draining both and refilling with either 80/90 or 90 weight. Some owners of other vehicles have reported a slight increase in gas mileage by using the 80/90 but the book calls for 90 weight. Good luck!

 

[reddingcruiser]

Might as well check the diffs while you're under the rig. Same method as above. Fill plugs are on the covers, front and rear.

 

[Jenson]

Hi off topic. I also have Fj 40 v8 new to me but the gas tank is so small to go anywhere? Wondering what you are using, stock? Or after market

 

[middlecalf]

15gal aftermarket under rear bed in my Fj40 SBC. It goes as far as I need to go until next fill up

 

[Jenson]

15gal aftermarket under rear bed in my Fj40 SBC. It goes as far as I need to go until next fill up

Thanks special place that builds? Very expensive?

 

[reddingcruiser]

While not a cheap or short term fix, an LS significantly extends your range.

An auxiliary rear gas tank will extend your range at the expense of a bunch weight over the rear axle. That's not much of a problem until you're loaded for a long trip.

Extended range tanks that fit under the driver/passenger seats do a better job of spreading the weight between the front and rear axles.

Old school? A couple of five gallon Molotov cocktails hanging off the tire carrier.

 

[Jenson]

While not a cheap or short term fix, an LS significantly extends your range.

An auxiliary rear gas tank will extend your range at the expense of a bunch weight over the rear axle. That's not much of a problem until you're loaded for a long trip.

Extended range tanks that fit under the driver/passenger seats do a better job of spreading the weight between the front and rear axles.

Old school? A couple of five gallon Molotov cocktails hanging off the tire carrier.

 

[4x4veteran]

As stated, the oil level in most standard transmissions and T case is checked through the fill hole.

As humans evolved they developed opposable thumbs but what is never mentioned is the pinky finger.

That finger stayed small so you can use it to stick in the oil filler hole and if it dose not get lube oil on it then you need to ad lube.

Dab a bit of the offending liquid on your finger (pinky optional) and smell it.

Gear lube has a distinct smell that I describe as annoying while engine oil can have hardly any smell to gassy or smokey depending on condition of the engine and coolant usually has a sweat smell.

Hi off topic. I also have Fj 40 v8 new to me but the gas tank is so small to go anywhere? Wondering what you are using, stock? Or after market

The tank in my 70 FJ40 is 18 gallons. I had an 11 gal. aux tank totaling to 28 gal. and at 10 mpg (Pulling a trailer) theoretically could co 280 miles between stops.
In my younger years I would drive 12 to 20 hours at a time in my Cruiser stopping on the average of every four hours and it would kick my ass even back then.

Two hours driving is plenty in an FJ 40 even with Power steering and cruise control.

Just stop stretch your legs and get a breath of fresh ethanol more often.

Your butt will thank you.

 

[Martyt]

OP: you should also buy a FSM (or its functional equivalent).

 

[Jenson]

As stated, the oil level in most standard transmissions and T case is checked through the fill hole.

As humans evolved they developed opposable thumbs but what is never mentioned is the pinky finger.

That finger stayed small so you can use it to stick in the oil filler hole and if it dose not get lube oil on it then you need to ad lube.

Dab a bit of the offending liquid on your finger (pinky optional) and smell it.

Gear lube has a distinct smell that I describe as annoying while engine oil can have hardly any smell to gassy or smokey depending on condition of the engine and coolant usually has a sweat smell.



The tank in my 70 FJ40 is 18 gallons. I had an 11 gal. aux tank totaling to 28 gal. and at 10 mpg (Pulling a trailer) theoretically could co 280 miles between stops.
In my younger years I would drive 12 to 20 hours at a time in my Cruiser stopping on the average of every four hours and it would kick my ass even back then.

Two hours driving is plenty in an FJ 40 even with Power steering and cruise control.

Just stop stretch your legs and get a breath of fresh ethanol more often.

Your butt will thank you.

Yah fore sure hey

 

[4x4veteran]

Yah fore sure hey

Don't know how to interpret but liked it anyway.