Running transfer case with low fluid

Jkid

Active member
Dec 30, 2007
44
0
Any opinions on how long I can run the tc with low fluid level before it blows up? If it even will. It seems to leak out about 0.4 liters and then it doesn't leak anymore, or at least it leaks very very slowly. I replaced both output shaft seals that were leaking and had it sealed up for a while. Now I'm pretty sure the input shaft seal is leaking and I have no interest in dropping it right now to replace it. I can't be the only one out there routinely driving around with some oil missing from their tc haha.
 
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ezzzzzzz

Well-known member
Apr 22, 2010
604
7
SE Va
I burned one up years ago when I failed to fully service a D1 I had purchased. Mine was bone dry. When it went it suddenly started to howl then seized up. I tore it down to find all of the gears were BLUE from the heat generated. That said, how long you might drive would be dependent on how much oil remains, how you drive such as low speed vs highway conditions, towing, etc. No one can tell you how long you can expect it to last. You'll know it when you've reach that point though.
 

squirt

Well-known member
Nov 13, 2008
824
13
Los Angeles
I get the question, but here's the approach I always take... Either take it out now and fix it (or just replace it - they're pretty cheap) on your own terms, or else wait until (if ever) it fails at the most inconvenient time, in the middle of nowhere, and then replace it. You know it's defective, and what the risks are. Nobody can tell you how close to the edge you might be.
 

Jkid

Active member
Dec 30, 2007
44
0
Or be like a lazy me and drop in some Blue Devil stop-leak. It does work.

Lol, lazy was actually my first go to...the first thing I did was put blue devil stop leak in when the outputs were leaking. It worked great for a while and then it started leaking worse. When I replaced the output seals I expected them to be dried up and hard but they were complete mush. I figure I either put too much stop leak in or I should have put fresh oil in once it stopped leaking. I guess it makes sense that maybe the stop leak just kept softening the seal until it got too soft and failed again idk.
 

aliastel

Well-known member
Sep 27, 2009
942
0
Champaign, IL
Well, it's safe to say that countless LR transfer cases have been run low and continue to this day. If it hasn't seized yet, add oil and continue on. . .
 

p m

Administrator
Staff member
Apr 19, 2004
15,617
838
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La Jolla, CA
www.3rj.org
Lol, lazy was actually my first go to...the first thing I did was put blue devil stop leak in when the outputs were leaking. It worked great for a while and then it started leaking worse. When I replaced the output seals I expected them to be dried up and hard but they were complete mush. I figure I either put too much stop leak in or I should have put fresh oil in once it stopped leaking. I guess it makes sense that maybe the stop leak just kept softening the seal until it got too soft and failed again idk.

Huh, something to ponder. Maybe I do have to pull that drum off the back of the case and replace the seal.
 

ME Island

Active member
Just felt mine fail on a trip from Maine to Connecticut. What first sounded like tire noise on a slush and salt covered highway sounded like a grinding and clacking some 20 miles later. Upon inspection the transfer case had run dry and ruined the bearings. Time for a replacement.
 

the deputy

Well-known member
Sep 20, 2017
86
0
michigan
Just felt mine fail on a trip from Maine to Connecticut. What first sounded like tire noise on a slush and salt covered highway sounded like a grinding and clacking some 20 miles later. Upon inspection the transfer case had run dry and ruined the bearings. Time for a replacement.

I guess, we have an answer for the OP...driving from Maine to Connecticut should do the trick.

Both transfer cases on our 01 and 03 were empty upon purchase. For some reason...this fluid level is rarely checked. Granted, if they moved the filler plug over another half inch, towards the output shaft...it would then become impossible to remove...instead of nearly impossible. Great engineering, for sure.

Brian.