Transfer case with metallic tinted oil (1 Viewer)

[Vision19]

Hey everyone.. looking for a few opinions here. My 94 80 series has a gear whine that is most audible in the 58-65 MPH range (I have driven with both F+R drive shafts disconnected seperately to try to narrow down the noise - no change either way). While not horrible, it is noticeable. I put new valvoline synthetic 75-90 in the tcase when I base lined it. I drained that out a thousand miles ago to inspect the fluid and magnet. I had a few tiny specks on the magnet - not enough to worry me. But the fluid itself had a metallic sheen to it (like a metallic paint). I put in some Royal Purple 75-140 after that and ran it about 1000 miles and drained it this afternoon. Magnet looks pretty good, a few small shiny pieces in my drain pan, and again a metallic sheen to the fluid. Nothing in the drain pan was magnetic however. Which makes me wonder if the metallic particles are aluminum, and if so, why are they there? Seems like only the case would be made of aluminum. Apparently the PO did the front and rear output bearings but I cannot confirm that. Maybe a race is spinning inside?

Normally I would just keeping driving it and keep an eye on it but I am about to drive 3500 miles to Alaska. The conservative side of me says to try and find a used tcase in the next two weeks to bring with.

Anyone seen anything like this before?

Thanks

 

[MurderBird45]

Removing The Transfer Case (TC)

WHY: My rear TC output shaft seal let go recently and my transmission output shaft seal has been leaking for a while, so I needed to pull the TC and make some repairs. The FSM for the '94 does not include any information regarding the removal of the TC. It assumes it is out and on your bench...

forum.ih8mud.com

Seems like a pretty easy job. I am having a similar issue and picked up a used t case for $200. Might as well just bite the bullet before hitting the Yukon trail for peace of mind.

 

[Kernal]

Do you have any close up photos of the metallic ? particles?

You could drain the oil again (or better if you saved the used oil with the metallic appearance) and send a sample to Blackstone Laboratories for an OIL ANALYSIS. Be sure to label it as gear oil from a transfer case.

If you saved the used oil shake up the container before pouring out a sample
for the analysis, they like to get 3-4 ounces. You can call Blackstone and they will mail you sample collection bottles.

The analysis will tell you if there are unusually high levels of wear metals and which they are (Al, Fe, Cu, etc), water contamination, ---

Easiest/quickest is to call them to get the bottles:
260 - 744 - 2380

Blackstone Laboratories Blackstone Laboratories

Learn what's going on in your engine with oil analysis. Our free kits are easy to use and we explain the results in plain English!

www.blackstone-labs.com

 

[Vision19]

Do you have any close up photos of the metallic ? particles?

You could drain the oil again (or better if you saved the used oil with the metallic appearance) and send a sample to Blackstone Laboratories for an OIL ANALYSIS. Be sure to label it as gear oil from a transfer case.

If you saved the used oil shake up the container before pouring out a sample
for the analysis, they like to get 3-4 ounces. You can call Blackstone and they will mail you sample collection bottles.

The analysis will tell you if there are unusually high levels of wear metals and which they are (Al, Fe, Cu, etc), water contamination, ---

Easiest/quickest is to call them to get the bottles:
260 - 744 - 2380

Blackstone Laboratories Blackstone Laboratories

Learn what's going on in your engine with oil analysis. Our free kits are easy to use and we explain the results in plain English!

www.blackstone-labs.com

I wasn't able to get any good photos. I thought about sending a sample off, but the report likely won't get to me in time to matter for the trip.

I think I will try to find a used tcase to bring along.. cheap insurance once in the great north country.

 

[Broski]

Just run it, it will be fine.
Carrying a spare tcase seems counterproductive.

 

[Kernal]

Still could be informative IMHO to send off a sample of used gear oil, should be able to tell you if something inside the case is coming apart.