Transfer Case Fluid
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
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Transfer Case Fluid
Hey guys just wondering what do you put in a transfer case when you change fluid.
Is it ATF or Oil?
I had it changed a couple months ago by a local shop and now it is leaking black oil, like its heavily used motor oil or gear oil. But its not very viscous its fairly watery in consistency.
Just wondering b/c I think I head that your supposed to use ATF and if thats the case I need to get something in writing from Ford saying that so I can take my truck back to this shop and get them to straighten it out and hope nothings damaged.
Its a 1997 F150 4x4 4.6L w/ 214k miles
Thanks
Is it ATF or Oil?
I had it changed a couple months ago by a local shop and now it is leaking black oil, like its heavily used motor oil or gear oil. But its not very viscous its fairly watery in consistency.
Just wondering b/c I think I head that your supposed to use ATF and if thats the case I need to get something in writing from Ford saying that so I can take my truck back to this shop and get them to straighten it out and hope nothings damaged.
Its a 1997 F150 4x4 4.6L w/ 214k miles
Thanks
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 30
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From: Michigan
Yes, your t-case needs Merson ATF fluid in it. I don't have a Ford Manual, but a Haynes and it also confirms it needs Mercon ATF.
I have synthetic Mobil 1 in my transfer case that's rated for Mercon applications. Its worth the extra $$$ for syn in my mind because there is not much fluid in the t-case and I don't change that often.
I also checked my owners manual and it also confirms Mercon ATF.
I also have a 97 4.6 4x4 (151,000).
I have synthetic Mobil 1 in my transfer case that's rated for Mercon applications. Its worth the extra $$$ for syn in my mind because there is not much fluid in the t-case and I don't change that often.
I also checked my owners manual and it also confirms Mercon ATF.
I also have a 97 4.6 4x4 (151,000).
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
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you use the same thing as the transmission. older trucks use the MERCON, newer trucks with MERCON V in the trans, also have that in the transfer case.. 20 years ago you put 80-90 gear lube in like the rear axles-- thats probably what they did.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
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Well I just called the service center and they checked the records and said they have on their ticket "drained transfer case and filled with 4 quarts ATF." Just assuming that they made no mistakes and they did put ATF in it, is 4 quarts too much or does that sound about right? The T-case only drips after I have driven the truck hard, WOT acceleration. If I drive it easy it won't drip. So that kinda makes me think its over full but it takes the real high RPMs of the gears spinning to make enough heat to force it out? Does it even have any kind of blow off valve or something or if its leaking does that mean a seal has to be broke?
They told me to bring it on in and theyd check it out, I plan on doing this on Tuesday.
Thanks
They told me to bring it on in and theyd check it out, I plan on doing this on Tuesday.
Thanks
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 967
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From: DC
I changed the fluid in my T-case not too long ago. I'm pretty sure it's less than 4 qts. On the other side of the coin, you really can't overfill it because the fill plug is on the side of the unit. My guess is that they charged you for 4 qts but actually used a little less.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Louisville, Kentucky
I seem to remember someone else not long ago having a problem with their T-case leaking. The problem ended up being a seal between the transmission and the T-case leaking. Allowed transmission fluid to leak into the T-case, overfilling it and causing the leak. Just a thought. Good luck zman! 
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
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So I crawled under it... The seal where the tranny meets the transfer case looks perfect. Dry and there is just the tiniest piece of great looking gasket sticking out the flange, hard to believe theres 214k miles on it. I don't know proper terms here so I hope ya'll can figure out what I'm trying to say. At the largest widest part of the transfer case (where I assume the gears are, the front drive shaft comes out of here) the part where it extends to the far drivers side of the truck. It looks like the transfer case is pressed together at the factory (could just be my imagination, but thats how it looked to me.) This is where it is leaking from.
I rubbed my fingers through the fluid and looked at them under a bright light. To me it appeared very grey. My parents both thought it had a red tint, but I did not see that. The fluid covers the entire transfer case behind the point I mentioned, all the way to the drive shaft.
I rubbed my fingers through the fluid and looked at them under a bright light. To me it appeared very grey. My parents both thought it had a red tint, but I did not see that. The fluid covers the entire transfer case behind the point I mentioned, all the way to the drive shaft.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
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the transfer case holds 2 quarts. if they put in 4, they screwed up, plus i dont know how they did it????? i would pull the top plug on the transfer case and see if some comes out, might be overfull. i would also warm up the truck and check the transmission fluid level.
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Laughing Gas
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Yeah I meant to check the Tranny fluid when I got home from clinics today but never thought of it. I checked my receipt and it says Drain & Fill Transfer Case and the charge, and on the parts list it lists quantity 4, Automatic Transmission Fluid @ 3.00 per quantity. If they sell it by the pint 16 = ounces, then that would work out to 2 quarts = 64 ounces. I don't know why they would sell it by the pint but that would explain how they were able to get quantity 4 inside the case... By the way they charged $3 bucks per quantity so 12 bucks total. I dont know if thats expensive or right on, how much does ATF cost?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
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Is there some form of an overflow vent ontop of the Tcase? I'm pretty sure I remember reading about an overflow vent on the tranny. If the Tcase had one maybe they filled it in the overflow vent some how?
Whats the layout inside of Tcase, If its already blew out half a quart of oil are there any bearings that are going to be getting damaged from not being fully coasted with oil? Or when your drivin down the high way is it violent enough in there that it should still be sloshing around on everything?
Whats the layout inside of Tcase, If its already blew out half a quart of oil are there any bearings that are going to be getting damaged from not being fully coasted with oil? Or when your drivin down the high way is it violent enough in there that it should still be sloshing around on everything?
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: SW VA
Originally Posted by zman764
Is there some form of an overflow vent ontop of the Tcase? I'm pretty sure I remember reading about an overflow vent on the tranny. If the Tcase had one maybe they filled it in the overflow vent some how?
Whats the layout inside of Tcase, If its already blew out half a quart of oil are there any bearings that are going to be getting damaged from not being fully coasted with oil? Or when your drivin down the high way is it violent enough in there that it should still be sloshing around on everything?
Whats the layout inside of Tcase, If its already blew out half a quart of oil are there any bearings that are going to be getting damaged from not being fully coasted with oil? Or when your drivin down the high way is it violent enough in there that it should still be sloshing around on everything?
If you throw 2 quarts in there you will be just fine with nothing to worry about. These are actually chain drive BTW.
These are not the same T-case as what's in our trucks...but it will give you an idea of what's going on inside:
Last edited by ATC Crazy; Oct 12, 2007 at 11:34 AM.
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