2001 Silverado transfer case fluid leak

[Ebenrose]

Can I put heavy motor oil in the transfer case to to drive 300 miles over a mountain pass, pulling a trailer? I will have it repaired after I get home and unloaded.

[CamGTP]

No.

 

You must use the proper fluid in the transfer case so it does not cause more damage. Depending on your transfer case that will either be transmission fluid or AutoTrak2 fluid.

 

 

[Ebenrose]

Thanks CamGTP.

 I needed to get home, figured I would smoke the transfer case anyway with running it out of lubricant.

[Black02Silverado]

It's leaking that bad?  Is there a hole in the side of it where it has worn through the case?

 

[Ebenrose]

I’m on a vacation, pulling a travel trailer, loaded up, stopped to get gas, and my wife hears a noise. A noise that speeds up with higher rpm, kind of a grinding noise. Discovered it is the transfer case. Took it in to oil change shop, to change the fluid in the case. They showed me the about half a cup of fluid that came out, didn’t seem to have any filings in it. They filled it up with trans-fluid. Noise went away, then I noticed for the first time ever drips on the ground. Adding to the problem, all of the reputable shops are 2-3 weeks out just to look at it. I haven’t inspected it myself, I made the mistake of hoping it was the ‘pump rub’ pin hole leak. Today I will see what I can see.

 I would really like to just get home and deal with it on my own time.

[richard wysong]

29 minutes ago, Ebenrose said:

I’m on a vacation, pulling a travel trailer, loaded up, stopped to get gas, and my wife hears a noise. A noise that speeds up with higher rpm, kind of a grinding noise. Discovered it is the transfer case. Took it in to oil change shop, to change the fluid in the case. They showed me the about half a cup of fluid that came out, didn’t seem to have any filings in it. They filled it up with trans-fluid. Noise went away, then I noticed for the first time ever drips on the ground. Adding to the problem, all of the reputable shops are 2-3 weeks out just to look at it. I haven’t inspected it myself, I made the mistake of hoping it was the ‘pump rub’ pin hole leak. Today I will see what I can see.

 I would really like to just get home and deal with it on my own time.

the only thing motor oil may damage is the seals and thats very unlikely. it may have already fried a bearing so its probably going to have to come apart anyway. common leak is where the 2 case halfs meet, to fix that it has to come apart to reseal it.

[Ebenrose]

Thanks richardwysong.

 I got underneath and took a look, it’s a hole about 1/8” in diameter, appears to be what is referred to as ‘pump rub’, according to some YouTube videos.

 I am on my way to a parts store for some brake cleaner and “JB Weld”, realizing it’s a bandage for a short time, before I have it pulled and rebuilt.

[CamGTP]

Should be enough of a fix to get you home.