This transfer case seal leak mumbojumbo has me shaking in my boots.

[JEL]

I posted a while back inquiring about head gaskets on the v6 4th gens, but my worries were quickly quelled and I have resumed my search for a nice 4th gen (preferably v6), but I haven't come across that right truck yet. Now, as it stands today I'm still looking, but the more I read about this transfer case oil seal business the more worried I get. I read some things online stating it's a common issue, and others stating it's not, but no definitive answer has come around in my head just yet. Of course I like to over-analyze everything with my accountant brain.

So, with that being said, how common do these transfer case oil seals from hell seem to manifest? Are the seeming to be more common on certain years? I know exercising the transfer case has been suggested as a way to reduce the incidences, and I know how to check for a leak on something I am buying, but I want to stack the odds in my favor by avoiding X year or Y configuration to reduce the chances. I've been driving a bullet-proof 3rd gen for a long time, but I want another 4runner and I like the idea of a larger, more powerful and efficient 4th gen.

Thanks

 

[M1911]

Not common. The only ones I've heard about were '03 V8s.

 

[gshadow325]

Not common. The only ones I've heard about were '03 V8s.

i never heard about it till i got my 03 v8 LOL

mine leaked AFTER i changed out all my fluids to synthetic LOL

So i bought a seal kit. and brought it to my mechanic and changed out 2 seals and a few crush washers. $30 parts kit, $18 for fluids and $80 for labor. easy, whats to be scared about besides the fact, how long was it leaking till it was fixed? mine was leaking for a few months and when i dumped it out, i got less than 3/4 quart back out.

 

[JEL]

The seal thing I'm worried about is the one which requires a major repair, the t-case needing to be removed and disassembled. Is this what you went through to fix that? I read horror stories of people being charged $2500+ for it, just for a little faulty seal.

 

[M1911]

The seal thing I'm worried about is the one which requires a major repair, the t-case needing to be removed and disassembled. Is this what you went through to fix that? I read horror stories of people being charged $2500+ for it, just for a little faulty seal.

Dude, just don't buy an '03 V8.

 

[Blackhatch]

i never heard about it till i got my 03 v8 LOL

mine leaked AFTER i changed out all my fluids to synthetic LOL

So i bought a seal kit. and brought it to my mechanic and changed out 2 seals and a few crush washers. $30 parts kit, $18 for fluids and $80 for labor. easy, whats to be scared about besides the fact, how long was it leaking till it was fixed? mine was leaking for a few months and when i dumped it out, i got less than 3/4 quart back out.

He charged you $80 to do that? Are you talking about the transfer case solenoid leak?

 

[JEL]

Dude, just don't buy an '03 V8.

Sounds like a plan. To be honest I've been looking for an '06+ V6 for fuel economy, the 5-speed auto, and I prefer the updated look in 2006+. My parents have a 2002 Tundra with that V8, excellent engine but it's thirsty, even when it's just in 2wd. I imagine being in AWD all the time can cut into the mileage a bit on top of the V8 power.

 

[JB.]

I imagine being in AWD all the time can cut into the mileage a bit on top of the V8 power.

Slightly, on paper, but compared to the extra two cylinders and the weight of the cast iron block, it disappears into virtual irrelevance as a point of comparison.

 

[M1911]

Sounds like a plan. To be honest I've been looking for an '06+ V6 for fuel economy, the 5-speed auto, and I prefer the updated look in 2006+. My parents have a 2002 Tundra with that V8, excellent engine but it's thirsty, even when it's just in 2wd. I imagine being in AWD all the time can cut into the mileage a bit on top of the V8 power.

From what I've seen here, the difference is smaller than you might imagine. 1-2 mpg.

Every little bit certainly helps, but the V6 isn't fuel efficient at all. Consider your budget very carefully. I drive about 15,000 miles per year, and at about $4/gallon and 15 mpg, I pay close to $4,000 per year in gas.

 

[JEL]

From what I've seen here, the difference is smaller than you might imagine. 1-2 mpg.

Every little bit certainly helps, but the V6 isn't fuel efficient at all. Consider your budget very carefully. I drive about 15,000 miles per year, and at about $4/gallon and 15 mpg, I pay close to $4,000 per year in gas.

Thanks for the info. I did some reading and lots of people say they can eek out 22mpg on the highway with a 4x4, but I"m a bit skeptical on that. About 95% of my driving is off-peak highway, so that can help. In any case, I have a Honda Accord for the majority of my driving, and I've been driving a 3rd gen since 2003 so I'm used to a thirsty rig.

 

[M1911]

Thanks for the info. I did some reading and lots of people say they can eek out 22mpg on the highway with a 4x4, but I"m a bit skeptical on that. About 95% of my driving is off-peak highway, so that can help. In any case, I have a Honda Accord for the majority of my driving, and I've been driving a 3rd gen since 2003 so I'm used to a thirsty rig.

22 mpg out of a 4th gen 4Runner? Doubtful.

I can get maybe 18 mpg on the highway if I'm driving carefully -- keeping speed low. Add 1 or 2 mpg for the V6, tops.

 

[Martinjmpr]

As far as MPG goes I've gotten 22 exactly one tank, but I've gotten between 20-21 on several trips under ideal conditions. Current average is 17.5 but you have to keep in mind that during the Summer my 4runner is primarily used to tow a 1,000lb trailer so that tends to drop the MPG by at least 2 - 4 MPG overall.

Coming from a 3.4 on my 3rd gen, I found the 4.0 to be plenty for what I need. Even better than the MPG is the fact that the 4th gen has a decent sized gas tank compared to the pitifully small one in the 3rd gen, which IMO is the worst thing about the 3rd gen 4runner.

 

[JEL]

As far as MPG goes I've gotten 22 exactly one tank, but I've gotten between 20-21 on several trips under ideal conditions. Current average is 17.5 but you have to keep in mind that during the Summer my 4runner is primarily used to tow a 1,000lb trailer so that tends to drop the MPG by at least 2 - 4 MPG overall.

Coming from a 3.4 on my 3rd gen, I found the 4.0 to be plenty for what I need. Even better than the MPG is the fact that the 4th gen has a decent sized gas tank compared to the pitifully small one in the 3rd gen, which IMO is the worst thing about the 3rd gen 4runner.

You aren't kidding about the gas tank, my Accord has the same size tank but gets an average MPG of about 27-28, over 33 on the highway vs. 20 highway in my 4runner. Even in the Accord I wish I had a larger tank since I drive so much, but it's not bad. I miss my old 95 E300 Mercedes diesel, it touched 40mpg highway and had something like a 23.5 gallon tank, so it could drive a long way on a single fill, typically 800 miles on a single fill.

I'm still looking for my pristine 4th gen V6 4x4, I see quite a few good candidates online around here, but they are commanding a huge premium. I may head to southern California to find one if it lends a cheaper price. I did drive one again the other day, the 4.0 was great and moved that 4x4 down the highway excellent, plus I think it drove better than my Accord on the highway, certainly a bit upgrade from highway cruising in a 3rd gen.