Deep Mud/Differential Fluid

USMC_4runner

USMC_4runner

New member
I just got back from a little off road excursion which happened to have some relatively deep (~2feet) mud/water holes that we had to ford. We did 10-12 of them ranging from 20-30 feet across. Should I check the Differential fluid and change it or should i be fine for another few thousand miles when i have to change my engine oil anyways?
We had a few Wranglers, a H1, a blazer and a cherokee. The blazer and one of the jeeps swamped their engines while crossing these. luckily the H1 had a 6.5L TurboDiesel so towing was no issue for those who got stuck.

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I would have it checked...esp. the rear axle and even more important if you have not extended the rear breather tube.
 
Thanks for the input, I just ordered the parts to extend the breather so this shouldn't be an issue in the future. Too bad the 4runner doesn't have the positive pressurization system that the H1 has....the thing can go through 4feet of water w/o issues (according to the owner)....
 
USMC_4runner said:
Thanks for the input, I just ordered the parts to extend the breather so this shouldn't be an issue in the future. Too bad the 4runner doesn't have the positive pressurization system that the H1 has....the thing can go through 4feet of water w/o issues (according to the owner)....
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Toyota is weird on this...NONE of their SUVs come with rear axle breather extension...not even the mighty Land Cruiser or Lexus LX or FJ Cruiser. Hell, my brother's cheap Jeep comes with one on each axle! It is not expensive nor hard to do...i don't understand why Toyota does not do it. Yet, Toyota advertises extreme water fording capability (27-28 inches of H2O) of their SUVs and then it is the owners who pay for Toyota's false advertisement! :mad:
 
So i just got back from the dealership, there was water in the transfer case, and both differentials, and the rear was the worst. $200 out the door. I'll be moving those vents around a little and avioding the deeper water/mud.
 
USMC_4runner said:
So i just got back from the dealership, there was water in the transfer case, and both differentials, and the rear was the worst. $200 out the door. I'll be moving those vents around a little and avioding the deeper water/mud.
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Well, $200 is not that bad...luckily, you checked right away instead of waiting. Yeah, this goes against Toyota's advertisements...i am telling you, if only more people off-road, then Toyota could be facing a class action suit for their false advertisements! (Of course, Toyota would just cite their off-road disclaimer.)

For me, i hate water crossing (and mud for that matter)! It is just too dangerous. My G has breather tubes for everything high up in the engine bay, near the bottom of the windshield wipers...still, this is no insurance with water crossings. I won't cross anything deeper than 16-20" of water MAX. Door seals may leak, alternator may fail, engine damage from idiot driving (i am not immune to this), etc..
 
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ok...so dumb question but from a non experienced off roader..what is a breather tube? And how would I know if I need to check my transfer case and stuff out? I didn
 
leftyguns21 said:
ok...so dumb question but from a non experienced off roader..what is a breather tube? And how would I know if I need to check my transfer case and stuff out? I didn
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perfect, thank you for the easy to understand reply.

i think im good then. i tend to stay out of puddles and deep mud.
 
leftyguns21 said:
<b>USMC_4runner</b> I noticed you have WA plates on your car, was this trail in WA?

and side note..why is there Hummer ads on this site?
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Nah, i go to school in florida, so that was about 30 miles south of daytona beach....there's nothing to do here but go through mud....i miss WA :(
 
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USMC_4runner said:
... there was water in the transfer case, and both differentials, and the rear was the worst....
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I would expect the rear because of the short vent but IIRC don't the front and transfer have long vents up into the engine bay? Did you happen to see the old gear oil? Can they explain how water got in? Did you ask them to just check the rear or is it possible the stealership did all the cases just because as an entire driveline service and the front and trans were OK?
 
After I got back i popped my hood and there was mud all over everything, all the linings were drenched, and dirt was everywhere. I probably went in to a couple of those puddles a little fast and a few were a little deep so while i didn't look at the fluid myself, there's a really good chance that the fluid legitimately needed to be changed. I got out mid way and my frond license plate was bent up from hitting the water...so next time i'll aviod the water and take it much slower....
 
Kmvreter said:
I would expect the rear because of the short vent but IIRC don't the front and transfer have long vents up into the engine bay?
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Anyone confirm this ?

Where do you buy the kit ? I know you can make one , but someone above said they were ordering one.
 
Kmvreter said:
I would expect the rear because of the short vent but IIRC don't the front and transfer have long vents up into the engine bay?...
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I just confirmed that I did recall correctly. If you look, the 2 front vents are together staring up at you between the fuse box and engine, below the oil fill extension, at the level of the base of the fuse box on the V6.
 
Kmvreter said:
I just confirmed that I did recall correctly. If you look, the 2 front vents are together staring up at you between the fuse box and engine, below the oil fill extension, at the level of the base of the fuse box on the V6.
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Not sure, but have you looked at the link from FJ forum? I am not sure if it's like what you described.
 
Thai said:
Not sure, but have you looked at the link from FJ forum? I am not sure if it's like what you described.
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I'm confused??? No need for me to look. I just did. Like I said, "I just confirmed..."
I saw it by popping the hood. The V6 has 2 front vent extensions. One from the front diff, the other from the trans case.
 
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