Help please, RR Diff lock, oil leak

[kai920]

Whats up 3rd Gen Members! I own a 4th gen and am looking currently at 3rd gen, right now its sitting in my garage. First time poster on 3rd gen forum.

Your assistance is needed.

Got a 2000 Limited 4wd with rear diff lock in my garage. Doing my own personal inspection before I potentially buy it.

First issue, noticed a drop of fresh oil on the drain plug. Followed it up through the gunk its leaving behind and it looks like maybe a slow leak from the filter housing, maybe an o-ring. Filter seems tight and oil level good. Any one have a write up on how to change out o-rings on the housing? Search results did return anything?

Second, probably from lack of use, the rear locker seems to be taking a long time to lock and unlock. I have to drive back and forth to get it to do so. Is this normal. Is there anything I could check on this?

Any other suggestions for things to look for would be helpful. Balljoints seems to be good. Don't notice any play. BTW, its got 178k miles. Timing belt was done at 119k, because I know someone will bring that up.

Hopefully this works out and I'll be visiting the 3rd Gen forum much more often. Thanks!

 

[Big John]

Sometimes it takes a while for my locker to engage. I would think it would be a little quicker off road as the tires will have some slippage and sync up faster.

As for the oil leak… Can't help you there. Haven't personally seen this problem (yet)

 

[miniracer]

Oil on the drain plug and filter area sounds more like a series of sloppy oil changes. I would check the plug to make sure it has a gasket and make sure it's not been stripped and can't be tightened. Then I would just clean the rest off really good with brake clean and check after a few miles. Can't help with the rear locker as mine doesn't have one. I bet it just takes a little fiddling with like the transfer case going from 2wd to 4wd.

 

[kai920]

The filter was actually loose. I was able to turn it quite a bit with my hand. Didn't notice any leaking after this.

As far as the locker, it works, just slow to engage. Will research this more.

Sale still pending, but everything checked out pretty well. Thx for the input.