Transfer case leak

[GD2013]

I experienced a minor leak showing up on the transfer case. It did not drip on driveway, but kept the case wet. I have 32k on it, so at the scheduled maintenance check, I had it checked. The leak was between the case halves. The seal around transmission shaft was ok. Toyota corporate had local dealer document everything, so there may be a problem with the case seal.
2013 4Runner. This is the first Toyota I have owned that developed a leak, (out of 8).:horn:

 

[Jeremy556]

That's the first I've heard of a case leak on a 5th gen. Not too uncommon on 4th gen. The seal is FIPG (RTV Silicone), it's good stuff, but shit happens, and why there is a warranty. I wouldn't worry about it, as long as it's fixed properly.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

We've resealed a small handful of 5th Gen transfer cases in the last few years. But it is pretty rare.

 

[1000MPH]

I experienced a minor leak showing up on the transfer case. It did not drip on driveway, but kept the case wet. I have 32k on it, so at the scheduled maintenance check, I had it checked. The leak was between the case halves. The seal around transmission shaft was ok. Toyota corporate had local dealer document everything, so there may be a problem with the case seal.
2013 4Runner. This is the first Toyota I have owned that developed a leak, (out of 8).:horn:

Do you have a lift or have you ever changed your T/C fluid?
Not that it should make a difference.

 

[Georgiadrifter]

5th Gen - transfer case seals leaking

2014 4Runner Trail Edition

On a cross-country trek, 1800 miles from home I noticed a drop of fluid on the skid plate below the transfer case. Detoured to the nearest dealer. They said it was some spillage from the oil change two weeks previous.

So I noticed another drop on the skid plate yesterday. Took it to my hometown dealer for service explaining the situation and advised to check the seals in the transfer case. Yup....both seals leaking. Vehicle has 52,000 miles on the odo and covered under the drivetrain warranty. They gave me a loaner vehicle (Corolla). Hoping to get parts tomorrow and back to me by Friday.

My question: what caused the leaking seals on a relatively new vehicle? There are no mods, light 4wd usage. I did downshift quite a bit on the trip due to mountainous terrain. Shifts were made while "coasting" without stressing the transmission.

Any clues?

PS....I realize this is an old thread.

 

[(none)]

2014 4Runner Trail Edition

On a cross-country trek, 1800 miles from home I noticed a drop of fluid on the skid plate below the transfer case. Detoured to the nearest dealer. They said it was some spillage from the oil change two weeks previous.

So I noticed another drop on the skid plate yesterday. Took it to my hometown dealer for service explaining the situation and advised to check the seals in the transfer case. Yup....both seals leaking. Vehicle has 52,000 miles on the odo and covered under the drivetrain warranty. They gave me a loaner vehicle (Corolla). Hoping to get parts tomorrow and back to me by Friday.

My question: what caused the leaking seals on a relatively new vehicle? There are no mods, light 4wd usage. I did downshift quite a bit on the trip due to mountainous terrain. Shifts were made while "coasting" without stressing the transmission.

Any clues?

PS....I realize this is an old thread.

Downshifting would not have anything to do with it. Which 2 seals? The transfer case should have 1 input, 2 output seals, plus the gasket for halves, and other gaskets (such as for the actuator or shift lever).

Either way, as long as it hasn't been overheated (which is highly unlikely) or any bearings are going bad (also unlikely) the seals themselves could've just be worn or could've been defective from the start.

 

[Friggin Idiot]

Had weeping transfer case found at my 15kmi service. They kept the truck another week waiting for new gaskets to install. All covered by warranty, but sucked to drive a Corolla for a week. Apparently this is not an isolated incident.

 

[Jay Nice]

My 2014 w/47k miles has a leak (not dripping) at the t-case somewhere. I was going to take it in to the dealership over the wknd & have it looked at.

 

[Georgiadrifter]

It was not the gasket where the two halves join together but rather the seals where the shafts connect. He said "both" seals were leaking. Note-the service advisor was relaying what the mechanic told him...so there could have been something lost in the translation.

The leak was very small....never any spots on the driveway...just the drop forming on the skid plate and the fluid on the case housing.

He did comment that they would need to remove the transfer case.

I'd lean toward defective seals.

 

[Georgiadrifter]

My 2014 w/47k miles has a leak (not dripping) at the t-case somewhere. I was going to take it in to the dealership over the wknd & have it looked at.

Jay....from what I understand, the seals are relatively cheap along with any other parts they may need for the repair. Maybe try to get them to order the seals ahead of time....so they'll be there when you go for service? Apparently these seals are not a common item to keep in the parts room.

I'll post the final outcome here. Thanks for all your input.

 

[coltm4]

Interesting. I was greasing my drivelines last night and found a weeping spot between trans and transfer case. About the size of a half dollar, no drop forming, but definitely a weep. Should I even bother to have it fixed? I'm inclined to go in and have it documented, but not have them fix it due to possibly making things worse or cause another issue like squeaks or vibration from reassembly. Thoughts?

 

[BigredTEX]

I've got 55K miles on my '12 TE and have had a weep from the rear seal on the TC for at least 25K miles. Definitely not worried about it. I'm under my truck probably more often than most people and haven't noticed any increase over that time. Changed TC fluid at 50K miles and haven't noticed any change in amount of weep.

A non issue.

 

[Georgiadrifter]

Interesting. I was greasing my drivelines last night and found a weeping spot between trans and transfer case. About the size of a half dollar, no drop forming, but definitely a weep. Should I even bother to have it fixed? I'm inclined to go in and have it documented, but not have them fix it due to possibly making things worse or cause another issue like squeaks or vibration from reassembly. Thoughts?

I have the dealer do all my oil changes and tire rotations.....not because I can't....but because it's easier on me to pay them for the hassle. If you do the same, maybe on your next oil change....have them at least look at it and have it documented. I believe the drivetrain warranty is good for 100,000 miles....and this repair is covered under that warranty.

 

[Georgiadrifter]

Got a call this morning advising the repair was completed.....less than 24 hours. Nice! Covered under drivetrain warranty.

Here's a pic of the work order with part numbers if anyone is interested.

2014 4Runner Trail 4WD

 

[Stgo2019]

I noticed this today. My '10 Limited has 75K.

Any idea if this could be covered under warranty?
There was a small drop where that bolt is in the center of the pic. It's never dripped to the garage floor.

 

[JEL]

This is kind of a bummer, I'd hoped this issue died with the early 4th gens. I sold my 4th a while back and have been seriously looking at 5th gen limiteds, looking through this thread I see it appears to affect all years up to 2016...

I'm not saying this would stop me from buying, but perhaps it would be worth it to look at a '15 or '16 CPO just for the 7/100k powertrain warranty. Still, if this many forum members have this issue, it must be somewhat common nowadays and I'd be willing to bet quite a few are impacted, or potentially-impacted by this, but just don't spend enough time under their trucks or pay enough attention to them to notice.

I'd be interested to hear of any additional victims of the t-case leak. Now just don't tell me the 5th gen 1GR has the head gasket issue from 03-05.

 

[Georgiey22]

OP - would you post a photo of the exact area where the leak occurred? Would help for all of us to keep a close eye on this. I have a 2016 Premium 4X4 with King Coilovers and CST UCA.

 

[the_economist]

Just pulling together a couple other threads about the apparently growing problem of transfer case oil leaks on 5th Gen 4Runners:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/241889-transfer-case-leak.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/probl...2016-trail-leaking-transfer-case-fluid-3.html

This does not appear to be an isolated incident at this point. I found my transfer case leaking at 30,000 miles on a 2016 SR5 with zero mods. The dealer says no service bulletin has come out from Toyota yet. It has been a huge 10-day hassle getting them to fix it, find the right seals to order, etc., but that might just be the incompetence of the particular dealer I went to.

This is my one drive train failure I'm willing to deal with on this 4Runner. One more problem, and I'm selling and going back to a pick-up or Jeep!

 

[SparkerCO]

Had the dealer take a look at mine while doing an oil change. It's a 13 sr5p that I've used quite a bit off road. It had the seeping where the transmission mate's with the engine and transfer case, worse on the transfer case side. They are dropping the transmission as we speak. He said they are going to do new seals and get it buttoned back up today. Under warranty and we will see if it happens again.

Liberty Toyota in Colorado Springs

 

[Freyja]

I have a similar leak at 75k miles, no more warranty. Luckily a buddy of mine is a mechanic for a large dealer and is going to help me out. But why...