Thinking of buying a second gen Tacoma - Transfer case leakage

Hey all,

this is my first post here, and I am planning to buy a 2014 Tacoma, 170k miles with full service history at a local Toyota dealership and in a very good condition overall (no meaningful rust on the frame either, as far as I can tell).

However, there is one issue with it: I noticed that the transfer case is leaking at the moment, as shown in the pictures. The dealer promised to fix that leak, but I just wanted to run this by some people who may have a little more experience. From what I can tell, it seems to leak out of the seals around the screws but I am not sure if it also leaks out of the gasket (if you call it that). Am I seeing this right, or is there anything more going on with this transfer case I should be worried about? What are your thoughts on this?

 

My first thought is that it might simply be the fill plug. Clean it well, rework the fill plug, take it for a spin in 4wd and recheck.

 

Looks like the fill plug. It's encouraging that, as best I can tell from the photos, the rear (main) driveshaft output seal looks bone dry. As does the transfer-case actuator access port. For the front driveshaft output seal & transmission input shaft seals harder to tell, but at least the front driveshaft yoke/flange plate looks dry.

If you can take another look and this time take extensive, well-lit video covering every visible angle of the transfer case, front/back and sides, & share that here in the forums I'm sure multiple people will chime in with useful opinions.

 

You would also want to add fresh transfer case oil to it as well, until the oil just starts to drip out of the fill hole, in case a lot of oil has leaked out over time. Do this when parked on level ground, of course.

 

Mine leaks at the front output seal. I don't worry about it at all. Gear oil is so thick it takes a reeeeeeealllly long time to get low. I top it off once every 2-3 months and call it good. I use 4wd more than most too.

I've got a new seal in my shop but haven't been motivated to change it.

 

Yeah replace crush washers on drain and fill plugs, replace the tcase fluid, then clean. Ill bet it doesnt leak at all

 

Thank you all for chiming in. I don't have access to the vehicle at the moment to take more pictures, and the dealer is going to work on it soon, but I will definitely check it out again after they fixed it and also check the 4WD. Out of curiosity though, I am wondering if there are individual seals for the fill screws (it somewhat looks like it is seeping out of the screws), or is the seal between the two transfer case pieces (the red layer which appears to go around the whole case) somethings which would be replaced as well? Also, I am wondering if there would be any potential of the transfer case itself being the issue (i.e. it having some tiny fractures or something), or is that highly unlikely?

 

If the dealer is going to fix it before you buy, have them warranty that part/fix for a few years or maybe lifetime as part of the deal

 

Most fill plugs have washers to seal them. Like others have said, it may be leaking from the fill plug as thats where the "stain" of oil looks like its coming from. if it was the "orange" gasket material leaking it wouldnt be looking like it does. But if theyre gonna fix it? Pfft...let them, and ask what they "fixed" and get a warranty repair on your T case leak from them just for peace of mind. If its leaking somewhere and they "fix" it, you will know VERY soon if they actually fixed it as itll leak and drip oil like the picture shows.