ultimase

1991 4runner v6 4wd that just had some transmission work done about 2 months ago.

After driving to a meeting tonight, I realized that there was quite a bit of smoke coming from underneath the car. When I looked under it I realized that the underside of the car was coated with oil, and the large bolt with an Allen head on what I think is the transfer case was sitting on the metal guard underneath the car.

I replaced the bolt and hand tightened it the best I possibly could. Then realized that the fluid that was on the ground and coating the chassis was clear, and wasn't the same consistency as transmission fluid. Everything that I have been able to find online has mentioned that this fluid should actually be dextron fluid rather than gear fluid.

Is the transfer case used if you're not in 4wd? If it is, then I am going to ask the transmission shop that did the work to tear down and inspect the transfer case and extend our warranty. If the transfer case is not used in 2wd then I think they can just refilled the case.

Is the transfer case supposed to be gear oil? or dextron II in an auto 4wd v6?

Oh and I'm sure you realize I'm thrilled about this. Because of this we canceled our dinner plans. Thanks guys.

Ricky B

No, it's supposed to be Dexron, just like it says in every manual printed since the late '80's. Methinks your tranny shop owes you about $2,125.00.

Give or take.....

ultimase

No strange noises just yet, but I'm worried that my wife may have driven the vehicle for quite a while without that much fluid in what I think is the transfer case.

From everything that I'm reading I can't figure out if the transfer case is connected to the transmission for fluids, some posts have said yes, some have said no.

On top of that there's the question if the transfer case is actually utilized when not in 4wd.

Nimyad

No it doesn't use the fluid from the tranny and yes it is use in 2wd just not the 4lo gear part

ultimase

Well it sounds like I'll be asking them to remove the transfer case and everything else it affects to inspect them to make sure there isn't any wear.

Ricky B

Here's a little tip-----don't waste your time buying these guys Christmas cards next December, cuz they're just gonna send them right back......

(btw, good luck and let us know how this all plays out)

Guyechka

Huh? T-case takes gear oil, not Dexron. Just looked to make sure.

Ricky B

Both my Haynes and the original Toyota manual for our '91 3.0 4x4 auto say otherwise......

Guyechka

Ok, I'm looking at my '85 runner service manual. Around page 1000, it lists the oil specs. MT and AT in separate boxes, the AT obviously taking Dexron and the MT taking GL-4. There is only one box for the t-case, and it lists regular old gear oil GL-4.

Ricky B

He has a '91......

Guyechka

This is really weird. I've been checking around different yota sites. Some say GL-4,and some say Dexron, even for 2nd gens. I'll have to do more research into this. It's not that I don't trust the Haynes manual, but you have to admit it's strange there are conflicting specs. I mean, there would have to be some mixing between tranny and t-case, right? So I want to agree with you.

Ricky B

I'm pretty sure that the t-case and the tranny are separate entities( like my big Broncos), and do not share common bodily fluids. But double check my stuff, 'cuz I've been wrong before.

(can't remember when exactly, but I'm sure it happened)....

Moonfish

there's definitely a gasket between the two. I learned that the hard way.

Guyechka

It makes sense that the t-case would take GL-4. It resembles a basic two speed manual transmission. However, even with the gasket, you have either a chain or gear that is coming off the output of the tranny and driving the t-case. There must be just a little fluid swapping going on.

Guyechka

Ok, just had a reply from the guru who has built who knows how many duals and changed how many t-case ratios. The answer is that, at least in my 85, the tranny and t-case are built as a single unit and share oil. So Dexron only.


Sorry, I know this was OT of the original question. I don't know if it applies to 2nd gens.

fork

my auto cases were definitely dexron II..

if i were you i'd get samples of what's left in the case as evidence, and with someone watching you do it, as a witness. some shops will try to deny the hell out of that big of a screwup, unless they're stand-up people willing to take responsibility. hopefully they do, but take steps to CYA just in case they dont. hopefully youll never need to use the samples.

at this point the burden of proof is on you though and if theyre shady they can deny you and say you did it and you're just trying to scam them

weaselman

in my auto 87 the tcase and trans share the SAME ATF fluid. they arent seperate

SpecialScottie

Same with mine when it used to be auto. I know this because everytime I went wheeling all the fluid would going into the t-case when I was on an incline and the transmission would slip. Just another reason I swapped a 5 speed in

ultimase

I took the 4runner in yesterday morning. Thus far they've inspected it, refilled it with DEXTRON, and then test drove it.

They mentioned there was a small leak... in my head I was thinking not torquing the drain plug is a bit of a small leak.

Right now the owner keeps saying that he'll take care of everything, I'm not sure what that means. Waiting on his call today or tomorrow for pick up, but honestly at this point I'm either asking him to restart the warranty, or extend my current warranty.

angrydogtattoo

89-95 4Runners auto trannys have a A340H so the transfer case and trans are shared, therefore they use Dextron, pickups have an A340F which have separate units bolted together, the TC has GL-4.