transfer case leak. need opinions.

[uss2defiant]

Hi all,

Need opinions.
Just got my transfer case stuck fill plug out and the fluid replaced last Wednesday.

I just noticed tonight that it is leaking fluid but haven't had a chance to fully inspect it up close to figure out where it is leaking from.
From where the droplets were hanging, it looked like it some where high by the rear driveshaft.

I know they used heat in order to get the plug out.
Will that cause seals on the transfer case to go bad??

I know the shop is open tomorrow and if there's a chance that they caused it, it'd like to head there first thing tomorrow morning.

thanks.

 

[M38 Bob]

It has always seemed to me that that's a situation where a decent shop would expect a decent customer to understand that any incidental damage caused while attempting to repair a pre-existing FUBAR is just a chance the customer takes.

Bob

 

[uss2defiant]

This is a printscreen of flair's yt vid.

The red highlighted part of the seal is wet and I think the leak where the arrow is pointing which is the highest point of the leak.

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Correct me if wrong but that looks like right above where I think the ATF+4 would be in the TF case.

Would putting some RTV help as a temporary bandage?

 

[Hockeygoon]

Given the spacing I doubt the amount of heat they would have used would have affected that seal. More likely filling it to the correct level revealed the leak.

 

[uss2defiant]

I agree with you. I've only had this jeep for the past few years so now I'm seeing all the issues the wife didn't notice.

 

[twowings]

Tighten those fasteners and the fill plug just a tiny bit more...see if that doesn't stop your leak...don't crank them down hard...just make sure they're all snug...

 

[LibertyTC]

Edit, It is not leaking from the fill plug, (see red line in pic) leaking around the right side retainer cover or split case seal?
Now that I am awake, free from X-mas drinks, leaking from seals could also be a result of overfilling or even a restricted case vent.
If you pull the fill plug and it is still oozing out, it indicates an overfill condition.
How much really is it leaking? Is it only a slight weep around the rear retainer cover?
Or are we talking a complete mess around the cover & a puddle under the Jeep?
Can you get a photo of your actual NV242 cover & leak to post?
Behind the retainer cover, sits the output shaft with seals as well as the oil pump.

 

[uss2defiant]

I'll post a pic up later today after I finish up my half day today.

It's a slight weep but definitely dripping very slowly.

I did notice this morning that the RTV closest to the fill plug has some heat damage but that's exterior and not the RTV between the main housing and rear retainer.

 

[LibertyTC]

Stop by the shop that did it, and get them to re-open the fill plug in front of you, to make darn sure it is not overfilled if you can. You could then get pics and better inspect the situation.
If it is low then add a bit more +4 to it, just to below the plug hole, where it is not oozing out.
Edit: Also follow your Vent line, and make sure it is not plugged up with crud. Even disconnect it at case, inhale that hose Lol...and make sure it breathes properly!

 

[Hockeygoon]

Stop by the shop that did it, and get them to re-open the fill plug in front of you, to make darn sure it is not overfilled if you can. You could then get pics and better inspect the situation.
If it is low then add a bit more +4 to it, just to below the plug hole, where it is not oozing out.
Edit: Also follow your Vent line, and make sure it is not plugged up with crud. Even disconnect it at case, inhale that hose Lol...and make sure it breathes properly!

Short of standing the vehicle on end how do you over fill the transfer case?

 

[LibertyTC]

Short of standing the vehicle on end how do you over fill the transfer case?

-By not following Capacity :shrug: and squeezing in to much and quickly put the plug in?
It only needs 3.4 pints or 1.4 Liters ATF+4.
-Possibly someone has a leak, & thinks it may be a good idea to overfill it?
54664[/ATTACH]"]

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[uss2defiant]

I've done the following today:
1. nudged the bolts to the retainer cover a wee tighter.
2. cleaned up the TF case to see whether I can spot the source of the leak.
3. unscrewed the fill plug out. some fluid came out but i think it's just the rear is slightly lower. applied thread sealant to fill plug and hand tighten + 1/8 turn it back on.

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I think the high point of the leak is the source.

What are the chances of the RTV sandwiched between the housing being affected by the torch as it was used on the old stuck fill plug?

Thanks.

 

[LibertyTC]

Could the close proximity of the fill plug heat expand metals and a RTV seal = ???
Another question is how was the retainer seal or weeps before the job?

My seal is not perfect either.
I have not even tried to add more sealant. I just check mat below Jeep & add a bit once in a while & carry on...
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I know in my "case" Lol.. it will have to come apart for new seals one day though.

 

[uss2defiant]

there were no leaks before but like Hockeygoon said, it may have weeped too 50k miles ago when it was last serviced.

I think the heat may have disintegrated some part of the RTV. not sure.
I'll check again tomorrow AM to see where the first droplet of RTV hangs off from.

 

[Hockeygoon]

-By not following Capacity :shrug: and squeezing in to much and quickly put the plug in?
It only needs 3.4 pints or 1.4 Liters ATF+4.
-Possibly someone has a leak, & thinks it may be a good idea to overfill it?
54675[/ATTACH]"]

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I forgot these are not filled through the same hole as the check hole. I'm to used to the logic used in the design of most machinery.

 

[twowings]

Is it just weeping or really leaving a puddle on the ground overnight?

If it's just a weep, I'd let it go as long as everything is working correctly and you don't have to clean up a mess every morning...just make a habit of regularly checking your TC fluid level every month or so...

Hundreds of thousands of Jeeps, planes, tanks, trucks, and trailers defeated the Axis Powers in WWII while weeping all the way to Berlin and Tokyo...

 

[LibertyFever]

I'd immediately take your Jeep back to the garage.
If I recall correctly the only seal on the transfer case plugs is an O ring on the plugs.
Maybe the O rings are missing or damaged. Or the pinion seal on the tail cone is damaged and leaking.

I don't think that I've actually replaced my transfer case fluid in either of my Jeeps.
Like the transmission fluid I don't think it needs to be touched unless you're repairing it.
But that's just my opinion.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[uss2defiant]

Hi guys,

It's still weeping after nudging the bolts a lil tighter.
very small puddle, maybe consisting of a few droplets of atf.

The leak is not coming out from the plug but from the rear retainer seal, closest to the fill plug that the shop used heat to help get the stuck fill plug out.

I'll make sure to keep an eye on it, especially since i can remove the plugs now!

Thanks ya'll for the comments.

 

[profdlp]

...If it's just a weep, I'd let it go as long as everything is working correctly and you don't have to clean up a mess every morning...just make a habit of regularly checking your TC fluid level every month or so...

I think this is very good advice. It wouldn't surprise me if after a few hot/cold cycles it stops leaking altogether. If it gets worse then you can always replace the seal at that point. No sense in tearing it all apart just for a few drops here and there.