Notices
1999 - 2016 Super Duty 1999 to 2016 Ford F250, F350, F450 and F550 Super Duty with diesel V8 and gas V8 and V10 engines
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

Transfer Case Leak?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 9, 2020 | 01:40 PM
  #1  
JAck19's Avatar
JAck19
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 831
Likes: 171
From: Greenville, TX
Transfer Case Leak?

Technically this is an Ex, but they're similar enough and this particular forum gets some of the most traffic on the site, so if this needs to be moved, my feelings won't be hurt. I'm just looking for visibility and answers.

I've had this 2000 Ex 4x4 Ltd. for 6 months now, my 1st . 270k mi. I was crawling around underneath it to look at tags on my axles since I'm about to regear, and saw this fluid hangin out on the bottom of my transfer case. I wiped it clean, took the truck for a quick spin, came back and saw nothing, so I went on with the other things I needed to do. I went back out just a little bit ago, and it's the same picture all over again; three drops of fluid hanging there. What steps do I need to take from here to diagnose it? And will it hurt anything if I powerwash that crud off the back of my transfer case and start "fresh" with this whole process?






 
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2020 | 05:28 PM
  #2  
senix's Avatar
senix
Super Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,384
Likes: 1,868
From: Frederick, MD
Club FTE Gold Member
well based upon what I saw, That lower plug is to drain the transfer case. So it appears to me that is dripping from there. Use a racket and give it a tug to ensure it is tight. Then wipe and watch.

Might also be a good idea to take the top one out and verify the level.
 
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2020 | 07:43 PM
  #3  
JAck19's Avatar
JAck19
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 831
Likes: 171
From: Greenville, TX
I took a 3/8-drive ratchet with a 10mm hex socket and couldn't get it to budge any. Is there a seal/o-ring/etc. for the plug that can deteriorate or wear out?

I'll pop open the upper one tomorrow and see what it looks like. I didn't want to start opening things today in fear of screwing something up that I couldn't quickly or easily fix.
 
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2020 | 08:24 PM
  #4  
senix's Avatar
senix
Super Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,384
Likes: 1,868
From: Frederick, MD
Club FTE Gold Member
No seal just a plug. Could use some Teflon tape on the threads to seal it.

So you may end up opening the lower plug, letting it drain while you inspect it.
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2020 | 06:37 PM
  #5  
99f350sd's Avatar
99f350sd
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Club FTE Silver Member

Drain fluid and refill make sure not too full.. Put a little liquid Teflon on the plug threads.
Pressure wash the unit and keep an eye on it.
Oh I use synthetic wolfs head atf.
Never seen that hope you dont have a crack.
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2020 | 10:56 PM
  #6  
2004 F450's Avatar
2004 F450
Tuned
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Loved
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 329
Likes: 79
From: Southern California
Club FTE Silver Member

Take a real close look at the 3 o'clock position of the drain plug. Could be a crack hope it's not.
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2020 | 11:40 PM
  #7  
JAck19's Avatar
JAck19
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 831
Likes: 171
From: Greenville, TX
Originally Posted by 2004 F450
Take a real close look at the 3 o'clock position of the drain plug. Could be a crack hope it's not.
Reading that was enough to peel me away from Lethal Weapon 3 and investigate. I hit it with some brake cleaner, a little steel brush, and a few shop towels. It looks like the dark line from before was casting mark or something. Am I crazy?
 
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2020 | 06:11 AM
  #8  
senix's Avatar
senix
Super Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,384
Likes: 1,868
From: Frederick, MD
Club FTE Gold Member
that last pic looks like there are no issues with a crack or other obvious defects.

Still I would suspect something with the sealing of the plug. Now that it is nice and clean, monitor it.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Apr 11, 2020 | 09:03 AM
  #9  
WWR's Avatar
WWR
Cargo Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,920
Likes: 515
I wouldn't be afraid of using some RectumSeal also if you think a plug is leaking. When we used to build up roller boxes (for HDPE pipe liners) there were a gazillion hydraulic fittings and that's all we used with good results.
 
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2020 | 01:30 AM
  #10  
JAck19's Avatar
JAck19
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 831
Likes: 171
From: Greenville, TX
Just a quick update: I drove into town for some quick errands and peeked under the truck after getting back home. Nothing. I bought some.new fluid while I was out, so I'll be doing the fluid change tomorrow or Wednesday.
 
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2020 | 05:05 AM
  #11  
senix's Avatar
senix
Super Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,384
Likes: 1,868
From: Frederick, MD
Club FTE Gold Member
Well isn't that interesting. Keep us posted. I don't think it would quit on its own.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
frank washington
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Mar 9, 2017 01:53 PM
Spankymeyer
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
0
May 5, 2016 03:03 AM
77460ford
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
22
Apr 7, 2012 04:57 PM
mrblonde108
Large Truck
3
Nov 15, 2011 06:05 PM
84 f250 6.9
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
6
Aug 23, 2009 12:18 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:22 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE