Marlin Crawler Transmission Issue

[pappy]

Four years ago I bought a Marlin rebuilt transmission. Marlin is the man, right? He is the god of Toyota transmissions, right? He is highly respected for his builds, right?

Well, four years later and I developed a leak at the bellhousing (actually it's been leaking for a while). Can't be my new Marlin transmission, right? So I get a new clutch, and rear engine seal and take it to a shop to get installed. Ya, I can do it. I've done it, but it's over 100*, and frankly my old body just wasn't up for it. So, another $1,000 later I find out it wasn't the rear engine main. It was the input seal on the Marlin transmission. There is no way a tranny input seal has a life of 4 years.

I'm pissed, angry, and you bet I contact Marlin. Their response? The transmission is "no longer under our 1 year warranty." To be honest, I wasn't looking for anything from Marlin. I was voicing my displeasure at having to spend another grand on this damn thing. They did assure me they only "put the best quality product in these transmissions." Either this was not true, or it was installed incorrectly. Take your pick.

To their credit they did offer to "help [me]." Their offer? Send me a new seal, or I could send them the transmission for repair (my dime, of course). I'm in New Mexico. They are in Kalf*kastan. The truck was at a shop. The shop's goal was go get my truck off the rack so they could work on somebody else's junk. The last thing they wanted to do was sit on the truck for two weeks as a transmission goes back an forth.

So, I'm venting. I don't expect a damn thing from Marlin. I'm probably an exception. Never-the-less, it happened, and I'm putting it on record for Mudville to find. And it's not my word against theirs. I have the bill to prove it. So, if you purchase a rebuilt transmission from Marlin, just be aware you might be spending another grand to fix his work over again in a few years.

Kinda stupid. I spent a grand to replace a $10 seal. GRRRRRRRRR.

 

[cwwfj60]

What kind of transmission was this?

How many miles were on it?

If you want mud to have information you should include these details.


Sounds like marlin handled it properly, what else would you expect?

 

[pappy]

What kind of transmission was this?

How many miles were on it?

If you want mud to have information you should include these details.

Sounds like marlin handled it properly, what else would you expect?

Handled it properly? I spent $1900 dollars on the transmission 4 years ago. I just spent another $1100 dollars to replace a $10 seal that should have outlasted me. That means I'm into this transmission for $3000. No, I don't think that is acceptable.

Transmission: R151F
Purchased: Feb 2016
Miles: 50,300

What did I expect? I expected Marlin to cover the labor to replace the seal, warranty or not ... not offer me another junk seal. Fortunately, my expectations of Marlin were already low, so I wasn't disappointed. If Marlin can't install an input seal correctly, or used a junk seal to begin with, do you think I trust the rest of this rebuild? I would be a fool to do so.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Seals are wear items. 4 years is not bad. A lot of variables here including install and your use habits. No mention of the latter. This is not a clear cut as you make it to be.

 

[pappy]

Seals are wear items. 4 years is not bad. A lot of variables here including install and your use habits. No mention of the latter. This is not a clear cut as you make it to be.

I disagree. Input seals should, at a minimum, last the life of a clutch. When was the last time you replaced an input seal? When was the last time one of your buddies replaced an input seal? I rest my case.

 

[cwwfj60]

We aren't going to agree, that is ok, not trying to create additional conflict, just feel the need to speak my point of view....

But a rebuilt transmission having a leak at 50,000 miles isn't surprising to me and wouldn't be a cause for much grief. I also wouldn't pay a mechanic to fix it, so I'm biased as it would have cost me $10 and an afternoon versus your more significant commitment, I get that....

I've rebuilt a dozen or so in my lifetime.....don't have a clue where most of those ended up or how many miles they have, I hope they surpassed the 100k mark without a leak, but 50k....ehh, not so bad really. Was it pouring out oil, or just some wetness?

Lastly, your mechanic that installed the seal likely offers a 12 month / 12k miles warranty, like most shops (some are 24/24) So keep that in mind, in 3-4 years and another 50k you could have the same gripe with another shop.

Bottom line, Marlin had a policy on the warranty and they followed it. They can only offer so much as a mail-order transmission rebuilder.

 

[pappy]

I also wouldn't pay a mechanic to fix it, so I'm biased as it would have cost me $10 and an afternoon versus your more significant commitment, I get that....

As I said, I'm capable of doing this. I'VE DONE IT! But at 63 my body can't handle a transmission plus a dual transfer case anymore. Plus, doing this on the floor of my garage, in 100+ degree heat, just didn't sound like a picnic. PLUS, my truck no longer fits in my garage, and I have a steep driveway. Bottom line, it wasn't happening at home and somebody else needed to do the work.

You are correct. We are not going to agree. I will never agree that a tranny input seal is a short-term wear item.

 

[cwwfj60]

Wasn't trying to insult your abilities or knowledge, I get it.

Good luck to ya

 

[65swb45]

:sad:

 

[dallen341]

Sounds like unreasonable expectations from OP to me. 4 years a lot can happen, none of which are anything Marlin can control. You purchased with a one year warranty so expecting anything more is asking a bit much.

 

[pappy]

Sounds like unreasonable expectations from OP to me. 4 years a lot can happen, none of which are anything Marlin can control. You purchased with a one year warranty so expecting anything more is asking a bit much.

If it was your $1100 I suspect you would have another opinion.

 

[dallen341]

Sorry but you are dead wrong on that.

 

[Mudder]

There is no reason a seal of "high" quality should go out in 4 years. Especially when they talk about how great their transmission are. I'm with Pappy on this. I would have been pissed as well.

 

[dallen341]

I'm not saying I wouldn't be unhappy. Pappy bought a rebuilt transmission with a one year warranty. Marlin delivered. The situation sucks for sure but IMO, Marlin owes Pappy nothing and Pappy's expectations are not realistic.

In fairness to Marlin, Marlin has no clue as to the history of the transmission over the last four years (abused or babied).

Pappy paid for a new rear main seal and new clutch. In reading that, it sounds like no troubleshooting/diagnostics was performed and the assumption that the rear main was the issue. I'd be pissed at myself for dropping coin on a repair that I didn't need because either I jumped the gun or the repair shop didn't properly diagnose.

 

[ALX4X4]

To me 12 months is ample time to cover faulty materials or workmanship. If its gonna go wrong beacuse of either of those it happens pretty quick.
I change my oil 'REGULARLY".
Those little bits of swarf that accumulate on your (hopefully magnetic) drain plug probably do a few laps before they migrate to the plug. If they miss the plug and do a few laps more or you dont do your changes or it get contaminated you can kiss all your seal goodbye anyway after X years. Not saying thats the cause, but faulty workmanship or materials is not a 4 years later thing unless you can prove they did something wrong.

 

[Whiskerz]

That seal did not have a 4 year warranty when it was installed by Toyota. Sometimes even quality parts fail. It happens. In my 30 years of fleet shop experience I have seen many failed new parts. The misdiagnosis between engine oil and gear lube is on you or the shop. Buy a quality seal install it and move on with life. The labor seems a bit much but I have no idea how much dual transfer cases add to the work.

 

[terrx]

I'm kinda sorry to bump this thread, but it stands out...
Curious what was the brand and part number of the seal that came out of it? Did the shop happen to save it? I'd mail it back to Marlin so he can diagnose what went wrong. Or at least take a bunch of photos and email those. I'm guessing if he could see an obvious flaw his response would be different. 4 years seems short even for a poor quality seal which makes me wonder if something else is going on (pilot bush/bearing, input shaft, etc). Just another 2 cents.