Dirty transfer case oil

Yes, but It’s hard for me to imagine all that sand you said you had got past the seal.

Sorry I know your not the op

 

Yeah, both the T-case and trans should have a breather. They run up into the engine bay, on the drivers side

 

Thanks!

 

Yeah what he said. I highly doubt sand traveled all that way from the breather into the t case.

 

Those two breathers in the engine bay are for the front diff and ADD system. The t case and transmission vents are just above the housings for both of them if I recall correctly.

Here you go: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ny-transfer-case-and-e-locker-breather.15093/

 

Are we sure the sand wasn’t already in the bucket when the TC was drained. I just had to ask.

 

Not a bad question by any means. Although I think he said it was on the drain plug too.

Either way, I'm not buying the fact that sand got in the t-case. I just don't see how that's possible under even extreme circumstances.

 

Yes.

 

Not saying it is sand but there was definitely a muddy substance on both drain and fill plugs. From what I could see inside from the drain hole there was also a muddy substance inside the t-case. Its definitely not metal shavings either.

 

Anyhow. I'm just gonna do 2 or 3drain and refills with cheap stuff over the next couple months and then I will closely monitor thereafter.

 

Could it be bearing seal material?

 

@jsnm23 If no one else has said this, take some pictures next time you drain it

 

Good question. How can I find out?

 

What is it that makes the grinding noise when switching in and out of 4wd sometimes?

 

my experience with the matter-

I have 300k on mine
I change transfer case fluid every 25k (2x per year)....fluid always looks brand new when I remove old gear oil

 

Does the residue burn or melt? Maybe it's plastic? It could be brass or other ferrous or non-ferrous metal too. Maybe you can dump some of that "sand" in some clean clear solvent and see what it is after it settles and separates

 

I mean if you still got it in jugs somewhere, pictures