Transfer case leak in my new Tacoma?

Hey guys! This is my first time ever posting in here but I want to get your opinion on something here.

I picked up my new Tacoma from a private personal seller so I don’t have any dealership warranty benefits unfortunately and my transfer case begun to leak about a day or two ago.

It only has 14k miles on it, I’m really hoping it’s just a gasket seal kind of thing or something because you can see that red lining around it and it’s actually only spilling from that one little bolt I have highlighted there for you.

i went ahead and tightened that bolt and it actually kind of fixed it but I knew if I went further I would strip it and cause damage.

Any of you faced and similar problems or do you guys even think it’s the transfer case?

 

What year is the truck? If 2021, it's still covered under warranty.

 

I bought it from a private seller so I don’t have warranty on it

 

Actually you do. Buying from a private party doesn't affect or cancel out Toyota's warranty coverage. If it's a 2021 just take it to the dealer and have them document the issue and inspect it. If it needs a gasket or whatever it's covered and if the problem comes up again it'll be covered as long as it's under the warranty period.

BTW, I've worked at more car dealers than I cared to.

 

Does the car being a salvage title affect that warranty at all?

btw the crash had absolutely 0 affect on the transfer case as it was in the rear and did virtually no structural damage

 

In that I case I think it does void warranty. My next suggestion would be to clean off the oil and see if it reappears in the same spot. It kind of looks like engine oil to me, but that's a guess.

 

It does, it appears at that bolt that I pointed to with that arrow, and that’s the only spot it leaks at

 

Can you remove the bolt, apply some thread locker and re torque the bolt?

 

it actually seeps through on the little slit on the bottom where both the parts connect? Idk it’s hard to explain but here’s a photo that I highlighted that shows where it’s leaking so no thread locker would work for it I think at least

 

It's possible those metal surfaces got contorted during impact and won't sit flush for tight seal. You could try wiping it clean and applying some rtv. Sounds like it's not leaking directly from the behind/under the bolt?

$8 Permatex 82180 Ultra Black Maximum Oil Resistance RTV Silicone Gasket Maker, Sensor Safe And Non-Corrosive, For High Flex And Oil Resistant Applications 3 oz

https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-821...t=&hvlocphy=9030002&hvtargid=pla-432399660406

 

If it is the transfer case you'd be better off draining it, then apply the rtv, letting it dry, then filling the transfer case back up.

 

It was coming from under the bolt at one point but when I tightened it it stopped so now it’s seeping through under where that metal to metal connects. I’ll definitely try that stuff out and see if it works, I’m just hoping it dries quick so that like the oil won’t seep through

 

Well, the trick with rtv gasket maker is to apply it to a clean and dry surface. If it continues to seep while the rtv is drying there's a good chance it won't seal completely. That's why I recommend draining, applying rtv, letting it dry, then refilling the transfer case.

You could try to apply it without draining, but I give it a 50/50 chance of working or holding up. The black permatex rtv is really good stuff if applied correctly though.

 

Yeah I just saw videos on it and it actually does look like a good shot. However I feel like pulling the whole cap off and then applying it that was would possibly work better?

also what’s weird is that the fill hole for the fluid is actually below the bolt it’s draining from? The large bolt you see in that photo is the fill hole and further down is a drain hole. So how would the fluid reach back up there?

 

You could try that. Likely from oil sloshing around inside the case when driving.

 

It could be but like it’s continuously dripping all the time even when sitting

 

Take it apart, clean it up, apply the rtv, let the rtv tack up, bolt up the piece, let it dry, then fill it back up with oil.

 

Welp it’s worth a try, what could possibly go wrong

 

Keep us posted.

 

Take the truck to a toyota dealership. As long as you're under 60k miles you'll be covered under their powertrain warranty. Only tell them what they need to know, don't walk in there and immidiately tell them you bought it private party with salvage title, if they don't ask then don't tell them. I could be wrong but I'm fairly certain what type of title you have has no affect on powertrain warranty. I moved to a completely different state and went to a local dealership that I had never been to and walked in and asked them to look over some parts and do a warranty repair, which they did no questions asked not even about my title.

Just walk in and tell them your truck is under 60k and covered under the 60k powertrain warranty and your transfer case is leaking. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less. Trust me, it'll work.