Oil on back of transfer case?

@slater I didn't realize he was going the warranty route.

 

Its all good, im not trying to talk anyone down, just sharing my knowledge...
For those that dig leaks everyday, cleaning it off isnt recommended unless you in fact truly have no idea where its coming from.
Theres also other tools like oil dye, pressurizing system, etc....

 

I took no offense, was genuinely curious why trying to pin point the source via cleaning would be dumb for someone trying to figure out what's leaking. I know how it is, I've been an aircraft mechanic/heavy equipment mechanic for 12 years now. It's just common practice for us to clean and verify source of leak before replacing parts. Cheers brother

 

Input to the transfer case. Reread my post ^^



I did this job on my 2015. I had seepage in that same area. Pulled the t-case back and a half qt of gear oil fell out and splashed on my boots. That cavity traps fluid and you won't know until you separate the two cases.

I got a t-case input seal from Toyota (and they did mention a updated part) and it fixed the leak. I have a auto transmission and I left that seal (output shaft) alone.
Before I put the transfer case back on I cut a small notch in the aluminum so if anything started leaking again in the future I'd be able to see the drip sooner rather than later

 

Had same symptoms when I swapped in an fj case. Was indeed the tcase input seal.

 

There is some oil on the sides and it looks like the spinning of the shaft might be throwing a little there and the rest is blowing back. That's my best guess after looking at it up on the lift. We did check the level of oil in the transfer case and it was fine.

 

Is anything wet farther forward of the t-case? Like the transmission fluid pan? Is it a manual or automatic?

 

I was asking the op in his situation as he commented, " his mechanic buddy" looked at it...
as stated, we cant see the big picture from the pics...
we dont see the source of the leak,

just wanted clarification on what his buddy thinks he sees...

 

Nothing forward of the t-case and it's an auto.

 

from the very front of the trans & blowing back?
or from just the front of the transfer case?

 

got it....
just cuz its an auto, doesnt mean the front pump seals / input shaft seal at the front of the trans cant leak.
But you clarified, his eyes are speculating probably the seal at the very front of the transfer case is leaking.
Makes sense...

 

Looks to be from coming from front of transfer case. There's a tiny bit on the sides, but low like it was just flung around maybe. Majority is at the back and bottom of the t-case.

 

I can try to get better pics and/or a video.

Currently my money is on that input shaft seal you mentioned.

 

So dealer has me on for next Friday. I’ll update you guys with what they say.

 

Be careful they might try to sell you a new truck

 

One advice I would give anyone is to never ever buy a leased vehicle. People do all kind of things with them since they aren't planning to keep them. Use warranty

 

So Carmax has a 90 day bumper to bumper, but when they looked at it they said it was still under warranty and to take it to the Toyota dealer and they would pay any diagnostic fees etc.

Toyota had the car today and said they couldn't tell if it was input or output seal but definitely coming from either transmission or transfer case side of input shaft. Also said that it looks very minimal and also like maybe doing it for a long time. They cleaned it up and test drove, but still couldn't tell. The they are going to drive it again tomorrow morning and if nothing shows up, give it back to me for a week or so to put more miles and see if they can tell then.

I'll keep updating as I hear more.

P.S. I was a little sketched out buying from Carmax, but the whole process with them was excellent and they supported this issue afterwards as well. They said they'd pay for whatever dealer doesn't cover.

 

Wow that's terrible service writing.. who cares if it's transmission or t-case? Just pull the transfer case and do both seals, what's the big deal?

They're just wasting time hoping you'll go away

 

Keep your pics...
Next week if they just kick you down the road, we dont see anything.
You go to the service manager & put your foot down, it was a big leak, take it apart & replace both parts, etc...
do something, maybe if they take the t case off, they will see....

Thats what I was getting at, cleaning leaks off, they may not present themselves again for 6 months...
You have to have a clue, read what's in front of you & just go in with the right plan...
The right plan comes with experience...

None of this lazy shit, it could be this or that, just go in & do it, do it all, get it handled....

Tell the manager your not taking it until its torn down & fixed, next week...
Also before you drop it off again, you crawl under it & have a look, take a pic.

Just in case he clean it off & NPF's it....

 

It’s a warranty fix, it’s in their best interest to do something, right? Doesn’t Toyota pay the dealer for the work?

ETA: I know the seals are cheap. Can they do both sides just dropping the t-case? Is it any harder to do the transmission side vs just the t-case side?