Transfer case leak ... where?

[jsilva]

My Speed6 has been leaking transmission fluid. Today I finally saw for sure where it’s coming from, and it looks like the transfer case. But I don’t understand the internals to know how it could be leaking or what to do about it.

I wiped up the fluid and droplets formed as in the photo, seeming to come right from the case. It does not appear to be dripping down from above where the droplets are.

It may or may not be worth mentioning that it was dripping out when the front of the car was lifted up on jack stands.



Maybe I should repeat that the fluid which is leaking is transmission fluid. I don’t know too much about the transfer case but it looks like it uses its own fluid. What’s leaking is definitely the gear oil which is added to the transmission.

 

[Raider]

Transfer case uses gear oil too. I would make sure it's got fluid before driving again. The leak could be from and internal seal.

 

[jsilva]

Thanks Raider. I should explain more.

When I got the car and eventually changed the transmission fluid there was maybe 1.5 quarts in it. When I put in the proper amount it started leaking for a few days (puddles on driveway). Eventually the puddles stopped. At some point I decided to top off the fluid (lost maybe 0.5 quarts) to help diagnose where the leak was coming from and the puddles returned. I thought it was coming from the passenger side axle seal.

So, just yesterday I was working on the car and noticed a fresh puddle and investigated. That’s when I saw it pooling up on the transfer case. Definitely not the passenger axle seal.

I just don’t understand (yet) how all of the parts work together and are connected. I had been assuming that the transfer case got its fluid from the transmission, but then I see the drain and fill bolts on the TC.

 

[070Slydinthru]

What ended up being the fix? I found this same leak right when hoisting my engine up to reinstall it. Does the T case need to be rebuilt seals end caps ect.?
Your help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[SyntheticAtmosphere]

Welcome to the forum.
You might have a leak where the transfer case fits to the transmission output. If you remove the transfer case, sometimes you can clean up the surface where it meets and reassemble...if you are lucky.
However, if the trasfer case is leaking itself, there are not gaskets to reseal, rtv is required. There was a TSB for the issue way back. It is possible that you dont have the exact same leak. Better to start a thread to introduce yourself tell us about you and your car (New members) then start a new thread related to your problem.

 

[jsilva]

What ended up being the fix? I found this same leak right when hoisting my engine up to reinstall it. Does the T case need to be rebuilt seals end caps ect.?
Your help would be greatly appreciated!

I ended up rebuilding my engine and when I had the transfer case out I took it apart and cleaned it up and replaced seals. When I put it back together I was careful with the application of rtv (I used the grey color). It still leaks exactly the same. I’m not too concerned about it. I wonder if it’s the breather valve not working right but that’s really hard to access now that it’s back in the car. I should probably top up the fluid level soon but the last time I did it barely had lost any.

Sorry I don’t have any helpful info!

 

[070Slydinthru]

Thank you both for your quick replies, i chose this thread because my leak is from the exact location as the pic above shows. With that being said i will take your advice and start a new thread in new members first.

 

[jsilva]

Thank you both for your quick replies, i chose this thread because my leak is from the exact location as the pic above shows. With that being said i will take your advice and start a new thread in new members first.

If you eventually figure out your issue please post here. Unless there’s some emergency I won’t be taking out my transfer case anytime soon and it’d be nice to know what might be going on with mine.