Crap, I have some kind of an oil leak! (Transfer case output flange)

[ECrider]

Ok…
Rear differential oil leak
Quite lucky I had to cancel a South Island overland trip booked for last week!
Looks like the seal to the driveshaft entry point
Luckily I’m already booked in for an annual service on Tuesday so hopefully they have parts and can resolve this at the same time
Any supportive comments gratefully received
Edit: I have a 150km drive to get there so will obviously speak to them on Monday but any thoughts or advice on whether this would be ok? 4/5 drips so far but it’s clearly ongoing!

I'm on my 4th front diff pinion seal so know the issue well. My new aftershave is 80w90.

Looks like you have the sMe problem. The rears are more likely to leak as they are facing forwards and can get hit by stones etc more easily than the front.

Breathers, as Clark Kent mentions, definitely a possible blocked or faulty one. It's on the left of the diff uptop if you are looking at the diff from behind the vehicle. Make sure free of mud/crud etc.

How long has it been leaking, ie how often do you get under it?

A little diff oil leak looks like a lot. You should be fine to drive 150km if it hasn't been leaking for 1000's of km already. The dealer and you won't know for sure until you check the level.

Much easier to do on the rear than the front.

Get yourself a ratchet and 12/13mm (i forget which one) hex and open up the fill hole. Stick your finger down inside and if you can touch oil then all ok, if not get a cable
tie and dip it in and see how far down the level is. If really low get some 80w90 and fill it up to just level and drive to dealer.

Hope you have better luck than me and you'll just need the one replacement.

Tell dealer tomo to get the seal and corresponding pull tool if not already got them.

 

[HereinDaRockies]

Maybe monitor the transfer case temperature in the off-road screen? From memory, mine typically gets to about 100F when warmed up.

It’s like 130-140 with highway driving.

What do you mean warmed up? Start the car and idle?

 

[Karearea]

I'm on my 4th front diff pinion seal so know the issue well. My new aftershave is 80w90.

Looks like you have the sMe problem. The rears are more likely to leak as they are facing forwards and can get hit by stones etc more easily than the front.

Breathers, as Clark Kent mentions, definitely a possible blocked or faulty one. It's on the left of the diff uptop if you are looking at the diff from behind the vehicle. Make sure free of mud/crud etc.

How long has it been leaking, ie how often do you get under it?

A little diff oil leak looks like a lot. You should be fine to drive 150km if it hasn't been leaking for 1000's of km already. The dealer and you won't know for sure until you check the level.

Much easier to do on the rear than the front.

Get yourself a ratchet and 12/13mm (i forget which one) hex and open up the fill hole. Stick your finger down inside and if you can touch oil then all ok, if not get a cable
tie and dip it in and see how far down the level is. If really low get some 80w90 and fill it up to just level and drive to dealer.

Hope you have better luck than me and you'll just need the one replacement.

Tell dealer tomo to get the seal and corresponding pull tool if not already got them.

Thanks for all this info, very reassuring. I spoke to the dealer this morning and they supported your comments on being able to drive down for the service . I certainly know that “a little oil goes a long way” from previous aviation experience and this doesn’t look like a lot thankfully!
It has probably only been a few days as I look at the underlying ground all the time
Thanks again everyone!

 

[slomo]

Let the Dealer and IA fix it. Make sure it is super clean when you get home, and and keep an eye on it. Chances are it will be fixed

 

[Karearea]

Back from dealer and trip. Parts not available and now on “back order” , “will probably be months” was what the technician said!
Quite ridiculous that the parts situation is how it is!
Ah well, will use it and keep an eye on the slow seepage and hope it remains that way
Some good news though as the original price quoted a year ago for fender chequer plates was due to a currency error!
Now ordered at $350 NZD so happy about that at least. Sadly these appear to be on “back order” too

 

[Trialmaster]

Looks like I have caught the Front Diff leaking disease. No evidence of oil leaks on the ground, but decided to inspect after reading about it. Doesn't look good to be honest, will call my dealer on Tuesday.

 

[Logsplitter]

Looks like I have caught the Front Diff leaking disease. No evidence of oil leaks on the ground, but decided to inspect after reading about it. Doesn't look good to be honest, will call my dealer on Tuesday.View attachment 7893720

I’ve had it too but not dripping. Only sweating as the Ineos agent in Africa said. I’ve had the seal replaced in the U.K. and no problems since, many thousands of km down the road.

 

[Asnes]

Same here. Seals front/rear will be replaced under warranty my dealership is just waiting on parts. I’ve since replaced the pressure valves on the top of the diffs with free flowing breathers up through to the engine bay. That should resolve future leaks caused by pressure buildup when diffs get hot.