Transfer case housing leak

[HHR137]

Got a 1994 JDM RHD landcruiser with the 1FZFE. Transfer case housing seems to be leaking a little. Pictures are below. Anybody have any idea why the exact part of the transfer case this is called. It is near the rear of the transfer case but it’s not the output seal. Also any ideas on a cost to have a shop reseal it.

 

[jonheld]

From the pictures, it looks like an oil leak coming from the front. The entire front of the transfer case is oily.
Is it gear oil or motor oil?

 

[iwashmycar]

Looks to me like where that sensor or whatever goes in.

 

[HHR137]

From the pictures, it looks like an oil leak coming from the front. The entire front of the transfer case is oily.
Is it gear oil or motor oil?

Honestly it’s hard to tell, I may need to just clean it well and see. It appears to be gear oil but hard to say. I’ve also noticed some transmission fluid around it so it could be a transmission pan leak. Doesn’t seem to crazy as it does a small drip occasionally but something I’ll get fixed soon. May try and get a better picture.

 

[jonheld]

Honestly it’s hard to tell, I may need to just clean it well and see. It appears to be gear oil but hard to say. I’ve also noticed some transmission fluid around it so it could be a transmission pan leak. Doesn’t seem to crazy as it does a small drip occasionally but something I’ll get fixed soon. May try and get a better picture.

Gear oil has a VERY distinct smell. You'd know if was gear oil.

 

[Marvelicious]

Gear oil has a VERY distinct smell. You'd know if was gear oil.

Gear oil, the answer to, "what if cat pee, but oil?"

 

[HHR137]

Gear oil has a VERY distinct smell. You'd know if was gear oil.

Yeah I’ve done both the Diffs, it’s not gear oil. Looks to be motor oil after getting a better look. Hard to see where it’s coming from. May have to just be it on a lift and see.

 

[HHR137]

Gear oil, the answer to, "what if cat pee, but oil?"

So upon closer inspection, it is transmission fluid. I recently did a pan drain/refill so the fluid is cherry red. It’s leaking near the bolt next to the transfer fill bolt. Any ideas on what the seal between the the transfer case and transmission is called?

 

[Malleus]

Seal, oil, for transfer case; 90311-48016

 

[Malleus]

This seal is in the transmission case (actually the cover below), not the extension housing.

There is also an O-ring (90301-81005) in front of the Cover, Transmission (35156-60010) that is bolted to the rear of the transmission case.

Both together will run you about $15 at the dealership. They won't have either in stock, but they should be able to get them from one of the regional warehouses in a day.

 

[Malleus]

I'd make sure the leak wasn't from the pan, before I tried to replaced either of those seals, though. You have to drop the transfer case to remove them.

 

[HHR137]

Seal, oil, for transfer case; 90311-48016

I am also confused as to why the transfer case would be leaking transmission fluid and not also gear oil. I did a drain and refill of the transfer case about a week ago.

 

[Malleus]

The transfer case can't leak ATF. The two seals at the rear of the transmission case prevent this, and there's no way for ATF to get into the transfer case, even if the front seal fails. The adapter/tranmission case extension housing would have to fill with ATF and cover the outut shaft, or very nearly, for that to happen.

 

[Malleus]

I'd recommend cleaning everything with degreaser (I like purple degreaser, but to each his own) and then wipe down whatever is wet with kerosene.

You need the degreaser to remove any engine or gear oil, and the kerosene to remove the ATF. Nothing else will get that stuff off. Well, nothing you want near your face anyway.

Run the engine for a few minutes, with the wheels off the ground and shift through all the gears several times. If you can't do this because you don't have a lift or four jackstands, drive it around for 5 minutes, but realize you'll be picking up road trash along the way.

This will show you were the leak is.

Alternately, you can just just add UV dye to the pan and use a UV flashlight, but I like having things clean, because then they are clean when I have to work on them. That's just me.

If you choose the dye route, make sure you add it to one case at a time, or you'll just have dye all over and still not know where the leak came from. I'd start with the engine and work my way to the transfer case from there.

 

[Malleus]

I am also confused as to why the transfer case would be leaking transmission fluid and not also gear oil. I did a drain and refill of the transfer case about a week ago.

You probably need to look over the exploded parts diagrams, either in the service manual or the EPC. They're very helpful.

 

[HHR137]

The transfer case can't leak ATF. The two seals at the rear of the transmission case prevent this, and there's no way for ATF to get into the transfer case, even if the front seal fails. The adapter/tranmission case extension housing would have to fill with ATF and cover the outut shaft, or very nearly, for that to happen.

I apologize I am new to the 80 series. Is there anyway to verify where the leak is prior to dropping the transfer case/ transmission. I can try and send better pictures/video.

 

[Malleus]

 

[HHR137]

You probably need to look over the exploded parts diagrams, either in the service manual or the EPC. They're very helpful.

I need to purchase the manual. What is EPC? I am slowly going through the car and this leak is pretty small so I am not stressing it but I’d like to get an idea of what it’ll take to fix it. I’ve replaced all the shocks/ changed all fluids/ new tie rod/ relay rod ends and will begin replacing coolant hoses here soon.

 

[Malleus]

I apologize I am new to the 80 series. Is there anyway to verify where the leak is prior to dropping the transfer case/ transmission. I can try and send better pictures/video.

No apology necessary; we've all been there before we were here.

Post #14

 

[HHR137]

I'd recommend cleaning everything with degreaser (I like purple degreaser, but to each his own) and then wipe down whatever is wet with kerosene.

You need the degreaser to remove any engine or gear oil, and the kerosene to remove the ATF. Nothing else will get that stuff off. Well, nothing you want near your face anyway.

Run the engine for a few minutes, with the wheels off the ground and shift through all the gears several times. If you can't do this because you don't have a lift or four jackstands, drive it around for 5 minutes, but realize you'll be picking up road trash along the way.

This will show you were the leak is.

Alternately, you can just just add UV dye to the pan and use a UV flashlight, but I like having things clean, because then they are clean when I have to work on them. That's just me.
View attachment 4045331
View attachment 4045328

If you choose the dye route, make sure you add it to one case at a time, or you'll just have dye all over and still not know where the leak came from. I'd start with the engine and work my way to the transfer case from there.

This is a good idea, thanks!