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950 miles from home, what to do? Transfer case I think...

S

smier

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Hey guys, I need advice quick. My '91 blazer is leaking fluid I think from the transfer case. Looks like from where the transfer case mounts to the transmission, but I can't be sure. I'm 950 miles from home and 400 miles from the guy who rebuilt the trans... Can I run this thing home as long as I keep topping the fluids off? What should I look out for? I just want to get home. I've been gone for a month... I have tools with me, searching for ideas. Thanks in advance.
 
Prob check all the bolts you can get a wrench on, top off and go on your way.
A little fluid mAkes a big mess.
 
Man that is a tough call. Can you tell how much? Plus what transmission, stick or auto?
With many setups, there should not be any fluid between the two. Seals on both ends.
So, if it is leaking, you are going to have to figure out which one is actually leaking. And if that is where it is leaking from.
Some vents will let fluid run down there if it bubbles out. Unless you have extended hoses.

Any chance it has been doing it since shortly after you left? An overfull condition will let it come out the vent, but not be a problem. If it was just worked on, they may have topped off the transfer case and put in too much.

Kinda grasping at straws here........
 
It's a 700r4, transfer case was almost a quart low. Transmission is still full, I should have paid more attention, the seal between the tailshaft and the transfer case looks like crap, but there's so much oil everywhere I can't tell where it's leaking from. I'm going to keep heading home and keep adding fluid as needed. I don't really know much about drivelines, this is all new to me.
 
I put about 300 miles on it before I left, and the transmission guy had me bring back to him before I left so he could look it over before I left for home. Everything looked great on Thursday. Does the transfer case chain spin constantly or only when it's engaged? I definately have a vibration as well... 850 miles to go!!!!
 
Chain only spins when in 4x4, but there is still an oil pump that lubes the bearings. Snug up the 6 bolts that go from the trans adapter to the t-case. That's a start.

Where are you seeing the most fluid?
 
Everything from the transfer case back is covered with an oily mist, no obvious source. So much oils been blowing around, and it's been raining which isn't helping things... I'll definately snug everything up when we stop to check it again. Thanks guys, 795 miles to go!!!
 
My brother drove for 2 months with no oil in his 208. Kepp driving and checking the trans and t-case fluid and you should be fine
 
Thanks guys, it's losing about 1/3 of a quart every 150 miles from the rear of the transfer case/tailshaft area... Im a little pissed off, the seal on the end of the tailshaft looks crusty and old. I assumed He would have worked on the tailshaft as well. My fault for not paying closer attention, I'm hoping this guy didn't rip me off. If I make it home, this things going straight into my buddy's shop to see what I really paid for. It'd got a pretty good vibration, but it doesn't seem to be getting any worse. 590 miles to go...
 
Keep posting, we're there with you in spirit at least. I'm a little worried that the vibration might be a U-joint going bad causing the seal to leak due to the vibration.

Next time you stop in a reasonably dry place, check the joints for problem signs. Crud leaking around a cross, or the cap turning in the yoke.
If you see that, and you have a grease gun, try forcing some grease in if there are fittings.
Odds are the bad one will not take any, but you can put pressure on the joint with the gun, and tap the cap or the side of the yoke the cap is in, being careful not to brad anything over.

Its not a fix by a long shot, but if you can get grease in the bad cap, it will last longer.
Just don't let too much force out around the seal. It might take bearing parts out with it, and you need all the pieces in there you can to take up the slack.
 
Just took a 5 hour nap on the back seat of the blazer... So far so good, I have about 350 miles left to go, and I didn't want to press my luck after dark dumping fluid.
 
Yeah it's probably best. I would think as long as you keep watching the fluid level you will be fine. How many of us have driven an old small block with every seal leaking, checking fluid every 3 days. I know I have for most of my driving life. As for the nap in the backseat... Lol you are a stud. And once you are home let's brainstorm on how best to clean the bottom of our trucks... Like I said, most of my driving life.



Hang In there, you are going about it the best way.
 
I'd leave the ATF or oil ON it,the undercarriage will thank you for it!..

If I were driving a truck with a leaky T-case like that I'd not only be nervous,I'd be adding a quart or more of LUCAS or some other oil stabilizer/thickener to help slow down the leakage and prevent any damage from running it low on ATF...

Good luck,you made it this far,I bet you get home OK,you might be in worse shape than the truck is though,after nearly 1000 nerve weacking miles!..first thing I'd do is head for a cold beer (or something stronger even!)...then worry about the truck!..
 
Made it home!!! Going to spend the day with the family then dive into this tomorrow... Thanks for all the advice and moral support!!!
 
All the ATF leaked out of my 1985 K5's NP208 a month ago. I have thought about putting some more in there, but that is as far as I have made it.

Martin
 
I drive it every day, but I have only had to use four wheel drive once. It's just an NP208, I am not to worried about it.

Martin
 
I feel ya... I just love the laid back attitude around here. And mine is leaking too. But it's like at the bottom of my list at this point as well.
 
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