Transfer case or manual transmission fluid leak help

[offroadwill]

I have a 2000 4Runner V6 with a manual transmission. There is a slow leak coming from the top of the transfer case. I’m unable to determine if the leak is originating from the transfer case or rear-most part of the manual transmission. Is there a way to find out without having a mechanic drop the transfer case and manual transmission assembly?

I thought about removing the shift lever down to the floor board inside the vehicle to see if I can see any oil from there. My 4Runner does have 226,000 miles and I’ve recently changed both the manual transmission and transfer case fluids. I know the oil leak is not coming from the drain or fill plugs.

Any ideas?

 

[zelechia]

Leak

I had the same issue. The leak was actually caused by the t case shifter. The bolts were loose and oil was coming from there. I would check this before dropping the tranny and t case.
Good luck.

 

[offroadwill]

I had the same issue. The leak was actually caused by the t case shifter. The bolts were loose and oil was coming from there. I would check this before dropping the tranny and t case.
Good luck.

Just an update. I checked this and sure enough, some of the bolts were loose so I tightened them down. The leak appears to have stopped.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[hrt4me]

happen to have pics of the exact bolts you had to tighten?

what are the proper torque specs for those bolts?

 

[JohnsD90]

happen to have pics of the exact bolts you had to tighten?

what are the proper torque specs for those bolts?

Pull the shifter boot and look, takes like 2 min tops.

 

[offroadwill]

happen to have pics of the exact bolts you had to tighten?

what are the proper torque specs for those bolts?

Yeah, just pull the shifter boot off and you'll see four bolts surrounding the transfer case shifter. I don't know the torque specs for them but on mine I just snugged them all down firm. Several were very loose.

 

[ConstantFix]

its always a good feeling when the fix is simple. especially when you fix it yourself

 

[offroadwill]

its always a good feeling when the fix is simple. especially when you fix it yourself

That's for sure.

 

[offroadwill]

Here's a photo of the top of my transfer case. The transfer case is on the right. Note the four bolts. These are what I tightened.