Tranny fluid in the transfer case?

[slambson]

I went to change the transfer case fluid last night. Pulled the fill plug first to check level and was a bit suprised that fluid ran out(~1 cup). What ran out was less then appealing. It appeared to be Dextron ATF fluid. This is when I started saying 'fudge'. ??? Went ahead and drained it and it appeared the entire transfer case was filled with synthetic ATF. The viscosity was consistant with ATF, red, and very slippery. I drained nearly 2 quartz. It would be my subjective opinion that there was little gear oil in the mix.

Barring the previous owner was less foolhardy than I know he was, what is the chance ATF can get from the tranny to the transfer case? Anyone detail the egress point?

 

[erics_bruisers]

no idea, though hopefully you caught it in time --

-- what is your avatar?

e

 

[robbie]

There is no way on a 91-94 Landcrusier for the Atf in the tranny to mix with the t-case. THere is a drain hole between the tranny and the t-case. As for the 95-97 I can not remember if there is a drain hole betweeen the tranny and the t-case or not. But the tranny would have to dump a lot of fluid before it reaches a level that would then have to have a good amount of pressure to push it into the t-case. I would say that ATF was put in to the t-case. Alot of other vechicles that have t-case run ATF in them and the Lube monkey that it was serviced at put it in before you got it. In the future it would be helpful to include the year and mileage of your truck in some form on your post. later robbie

 

[Cruiserdrew]

It sounds like they just filled it with ATF. Many transfer cases are designed that way and a non-cruiser shop could easily make that mistake. You should ask the guys at Slee if it will do lasting harm to your T-case.

PS I'll try to take those pics tonite. I've been swamped.

 

[Doc]

I'd definatly do a 100% flush, a couple of times.

 

[bull]

I agree. Somebody had to put it in there. You will want to DNF it real good then drive it for 100 miles or so then DNF it again. That way you flush the entire X case.

 

[slambson]

Funny, it's not near as clunky now either. Apparantly that lower viscosity lead to some of the issues I was having with the drivetrain. The fluid was fairly clear and there were very little shaving on the magnet of the plug. It appears the case has been apart on the transfer case before as there is fairly new sealant oozed from the split. I filled it with Dyno 80-90 for now till I can get the Amsoil put in it.

The avatar is a Blizzard Sigma series ski symbol. My kids and I run the mountains pretty heavy in the winter time with the local race school. I was a ski instructor many moons ago and am trying to get my kids to fulfill my dream We run Blizzard skis only.

 

[erics_bruisers]

ooohhhh -- thanks for the explanation -- my avatar is my pups, spud and precious --

-- i won't even get in to them here --

 

[landtank]

Redline used to make a synth gear lube for all those transmisions that took ATF fluid. Maybe the PO thought it would be good in the t-case as it was spec'd for that app as well.

 

[91kruzr]

Hey Slam, Turbocharged 3FE ??? More info what.... how.....

 

[slambson]

I hesitated in putting that in the personal info. "Don't you know you can't turbocharge a 3FE?"

I'm running a T3/T4 Hybrid. .60 A.R. front, .84 rear as I recall. Custom Griffen intercooler Core. Vortech FMU for fuel and a Holley Pump. Offroad Solutions did the majority of the install. I'm still trying to straighten it out entirely. Runs good up to 7-8psi. I'm swapping the wastegate for one out of a Saab for a bit less boost right now. Oh, Engine has ~25K on it in case anyone thinks I'm being too mean to an old truck.

 

[GXO]

The 3FE is the toughest engine in the 80 series line so it makes sense to TC it.

The 1FZ has issues so we have to be gentle to it and park near a mall to keep it happy.

3FE Powa!

 

[slambson]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I had been looking for some time for a 93+ but when this unit came across the radar and at a price I could pay cash for. I bought it with intentions of making it an offroad vehicle. Well, now that I have it in fairly decent condition the wife has snagged it. Just to give you an idea of how bad it is. The brown pinstriping is cracking so I removed it but it left a ghost line. I sent the wife down to the supply store to pick up some pinstriping and she came back with metallic gold. I guess I'll be painting the emblems gold next. Now I'm relegated to driving the truck or one of my beaters

 

[PHAEDRUS]

Slambson,
you can get stripe tape in any color of the rainbow if you wait a day. most supply houses (not checker/kragen) will order for you.
Dave

 

[slambson]

Yes, I know. That is how I ended up with gold. I sent her down to the industrial paint and supply shop to pick out a color. I told her to pick out something she liked. :whoops: She asked me for suggestions and I told her brown was fine, even black or something like that. Still not sure how that translated to Gold. Anyhow I ended up with a $20 150 ft. roll of metallic gold. I have not put it on although I layed a section over the front fender to show her how it looked. Unfortunately she liked it.