GX460 Transfer Case Leak? (1 Viewer)

[DPA200]

Brought my 2 weel old (to me) 2014 GX460 in for the airbag recall today to a local Lexus dealer that'd id never been to. The service advisor said they found a transfer case leak. They want $1250 to fix. Did i mention i've only had this for 2 weeks and looked very thoroughly for leaks before purchasing? 2014 GX460 Luxury with 90k miles. Let me know what you think, i was going to decline service and bring it to the Toyota dealer than does all the work on my 200 as i trust them, but thought id post to gain some knowledge here 1st.

 

[DPA200]

she says "it's leaking from the transfer case input shaft seal. 1 more pic she sent

 

[Jacket]

That sucks. Yours seems a bit young to already have a Tcase leak. If it is the input shaft seal, then they need to separate the Tcase from the transmission and install the new seal. That's why the cost is so high - that and the liquid gold Toyota Tcase oil. I'm not sure if the Toyota dealer would be much cheaper, but you could certainly check. They are qualified to do the work and probably see more Transfer cases than Lexus.

Or you could do nothing, buy a bottle of the Toyota Tcase fluid, and just top it off once or twice a year.

 

[DPA200]

That sucks. Yours seems a bit young to already have a Tcase leak. If it is the input shaft seal, then they need to separate the Tcase from the transmission and install the new seal. That's why the cost is so high - that and the liquid gold Toyota Tcase oil. I'm not sure if the Toyota dealer would be much cheaper, but you could certainly check. They are qualified to do the work and probably see more Transfer cases than Lexus.

Or you could do nothing, buy a bottle of the Toyota Tcase fluid, and just top it off once or twice a year.

yeah i gotta see in person. I have a buddy who bought a used 200 land cruiser from a local lexus dealer a week later to find he had a cam shaft leak issue. His solution (vs the $2k+ fix) was since the leak was so slight just to check regularly and top off as needed. I really gotta see in person. This truck was serviced religiously at another local Lexus dealer every 5k miles its whole life, so it's hard to imagine they woulda missed this. Might be worth taking to that Lexus dealer since they have done all the work on this truck since new

 

[Jacket]

One option is to clean it all up on the bottom and up the side, and see if you can confirm the origination and the amount of the leak. I doubt it has been misdiagnosed, but... Could it have been overfilled on a previous service? Blew some oil out the breather due to a pressure change?

 

[DPA200]

One option is to clean it all up on the bottom and up the side, and see if you can confirm the origination and the amount of the leak. I doubt it has been misdiagnosed, but... Could it have been overfilled on a previous service? Blew some oil out the breather due to a pressure change?

i wouldn't put anything past them as far as "doubt it has been misdiagnosed". Called lexus gave them the whole sob story telling them ive owned multiple land cruisers and what not. They are opening a case and gonna talk to the dealership Monday.

 

[r2m]

Looks like a real "oil gusher" to me!!
Seriously, I cannot even see any oil or oily dirt/grime. If it's really leaking, and if it is as little as it looks, I'd just have it topped off along with your annual 10k or 5k oil change (depending if you're using synthetic oil or not).
My last 100 series Landcruiser was leaking enough to wet the bottom engine support bracket and drip onto the driveway and I never added oil between oil changes. Even at oil change time, it still had plenty of oil in the crankcase. Albeit, I am like clockwork on oil changes.

 

[DPA200]

Looks like a real "oil gusher" to me!!
Seriously, I cannot even see any oil or oily dirt/grime. If it's really leaking, and if it is as little as it looks, I'd just have it topped off along with your annual 10k or 5k oil change (depending if you're using synthetic oil or not).
My last 100 series Landcruiser was leaking enough to wet the bottom engine support bracket and drip onto the driveway and I never added oil between oil changes. Even at oil change time, it still had plenty of oil in the crankcase. Albeit, I am like clockwork on oil changes.

ha ha, that's what i like to hear. true though, this is why i don't go to dealerships unless i have to. The tone they give is like its gushing oil and catastrophic situation. I'm as well meticulous with maintenance so i think your scenero is most likely. Like Id said, this was just at a different lexus dealer 5k miles ago, and every 5k miles since new. I'd assume if there was a real leak they would mentioned it. Of course it coulda popped up in the past 5k miles, but who knows. I'm gonna clean it off, and keep an eye on it and the fluid level. Next time i do need some service I'll take to my cruiser specialist and get his opinion.

 

[Ol Yeller]

Yeah hard to get excited about doing anything with that.

 

[Qball]

Think of it as rust prevention, just top it off if needed. Honestly I can hardly see any oil, if In doubt clean the area thoroughly and check again in few weeks.

 

[BMRisko]

That looks like every other t-case I've seen in various makes...may be a little seepage, but hardly enough to worry about. Spend $50 on t-case fluid, which should last you years and keep an eye on the level every 6 months or so. Put the rest in a high yield account for when repairs are actually needed.

 

[DPA200]

Anybody have a link for the specific transfer case oil used for the 460?