Transfer Case Leak - $1,300 estimate via Toyota

[4-Runnin]

I am a new user with a low level of knowledge regarding a majority of repairs/maintenance (i.e. experience is with typical repairs - spark plugs, battery replacement, fluids, etc). I own a 2002 Toyota 4Runner SR5 with approx. 170K miles.

I am writing as I recently brought my car into Toyota for a 5k check and they mentioned a fuel leak in the "transfer case" which, with labor, is going to cost $1,300. My first response when hearing this is...ok what the hell is the transfer case and why is it so much? I used to be the idiot who would agree to any and all charges (e.g. $30 to replace engine filter...shocking) since I wasnt confident with my knowledge and have minimal time to spend on it. However, I finallly got smart and started expending more effort to complete the jobs myself.

I attached pictures of what I believe to be the transfer case and what looks like the leak. Is this so? Is it something I can fix on my own or should I bite the 1,300 dollar bullet? Also, how serious of an issue can this become? Do I have time to wait?

I will continue researching on my own, but this site has been extremely helpful in the past so I figured Id sign up and send out a feeler. Thanks for any and all consideration!

 

[downpour11]

1. Welcome to the forum!
2. That is nowhere near your transfer case
3. Fuel in the transfer case? No.
4. Your transfer case is directly behind your transmission
5. If it's leaking, it's leaking gear oil
6. Hard to tell what the leak in the picture is, but I would make sure your oil filter is screwed on tight. Could either be oil, brake fluid, or coolant...
7. Doesn't sound like too serious of an issue, but you never know.
8. Find your t-case and take some pics.
9. Find where the leak is coming from in the pics you posted and take more pics.

:cheers:

 

[4-Runnin]

Transfer Case

Thanks "DownPour". I believe I located the "internal leak" the dealership referenced. My question now is based on the pictures, is taking it apart and replacing the seals a DIY type project? As mentioned before, I am a novice when it comes to maintaining a car, but very interested in learning. That being said, there is a fine line between teaching myself and getting involved in a project that is way above my ability. A few random questions:

1) Is this a DIY type project? My brother and Dad will be in attendance to either laugh or assist....we'll wait and see.
2) Listing of tools/seals/etc
3) time required?
4) Is there a website or maintenance guide one would reccommend?

As always, any and all help is much much appreciated!

 

[fourwd1]

OK, in the second set of pics your in the right area to be the trans and/or t-case.
Leak doesn't look bad, does it create a puddle on the ground every time you park it?
If it doesn't I wouldn't worry about it until it does.
If it is an internal" leak, like a seal between trans and case, etc, it's going to be a quite a bit of work.
Is the leak in the 1st set of pics the same one as the 2nd aset of pics?

 

[4-Runnin]

Transfer Case

Thanks for the reply "Fourwd1". In regards to your questions, the two sets of pictures are different. The second set is the leak I initially inquired about relating to the transfer case. The first set of pics is what I first thought was my transfer case, but I was quickly corrected.

As it stands the leak is not creating a pool underneath my car. I do believe it is a seal between the transmission and t-case that needs replaced so that isnt good in terms of level of effort/knowledge. My remaining questions:

1) Does $1,300 seem reasonable from Toyota as an estimate?
2) Is this something that can be done at a local body shop so I dont pay for Toyota's higher labor rates? or should I just bite the bulllet and go to the dealership.
3) Finally, IF I dont fix how big of an issue are we talking here? For example, could the $1,300 estimate quickly become $5K if (fill in blank) happens?

As always, I really appreciate the assistance. Have a good week!

 

[downpour11]

Dealerships will always charge you an arm and a leg. Don't take it to a body shop, because body shops work on car bodies. Take it to a privately owned mechanic who works on toyotas, not 4wheelparts, and ask him to look at it. He should just walk out and look under your truck and see it, free of charge. The estimate should be much cheaper, probably half of what the dealership quote was.

 

[fourwd1]

Is it a manual or auto trans? Some of the earlier auto trans had an integral t-case, it didn't just unbolt into 2 pieces, which makes separating them more difficult. Are there any 4WD shops nearby you could go to for a quote, dealers are waay overpriced.
I'd let it go until it gets worse, but that's me. I've had vehicles that had the same slow drips for years, every so often i'd check the level and top it off.

 

[nevada]

Is it a manual or auto trans? Some of the earlier auto trans had an integral t-case, it didn't just unbolt into 2 pieces, which makes separating them more difficult. Are there any 4WD shops nearby you could go to for a quote, dealers are waay overpriced.
I'd let it go until it gets worse, but that's me. I've had vehicles that had the same slow drips for years, every so often i'd check the level and top it off.

this is what I would do. you can buy a LOT of gear oil for the price of that repair.

 

[dapslappy]

yelp

yelp a reliable mechanic.
My negatives re dealer repairs: odd, but their mechanics are often the least knowledgeable, especially regarding 'known issues' or quirks with specific vehicles; they charge a huge premium; they are unaware of or unwilling to tell you about ways to repair an existing part instead of replacing it. Example: mushy steering. cause: worn out steering rack bushings. Toyota does not offer a bushing replacement kit. A dealer will replace the entire rack which is very expensive. I bought a bushing kit from Wheelers Off Road for $25. Simple installation.
Clean the underside of the truck. You will be better able to find the source of leak and estimate the rate of leakage.
Sometimes bolts loosen up a bit. Make sure the relevant bolts are correctly torqued.
With all of the tutorials available the only limiting factor is tools. If you have ALL of the tools for this repair available and you have a proper work area/space you can do it. A second and third pair of hands are often necessary tools.