Sevenfold

Hey Everyone,

The last few months I have noticed that the front differential / transfer case, likely transfer case, is leaking ever so slightly.

My 2005 RX330 has about 180,000 km on it right now.

The transfer case isn't leaking to the point where I notice any drops of oil on the ground, but every time look underneath, the transfer case is moist.

Damian

NVAKeith

iTrader: (1)

I don't think it holds much oil so keep it topped off. My transfer case leaked and by the time I noticed it, it was making a noise and had to be replaced ($texas). Didn't take long, I think I had an oil change two months earlier.

There was was a post recently that a member had a new seal kit put in theirs by a Toyota dealer. It's a lot of labor to remove and replace it.

Sevenfold

Thanks!

I will keep an eye on the level and keep it topped up.

I had a shop quickly look at it, and they said that sometimes due to changes in temperatures they have noticed these leak ever so slightly.

I also noticed that there is a breather on the top of the differential, I'm wondering if this can sometimes leak and make it look like the seals are gone.

But you are right, in order to get new seals put in, essentially the motor needs to be removed to gain access.

guyrat7

I might be the one you are talking about. The transfer case had a leak. There were one or two drops of oil on the ground but most dripped on to the exhaust and evaporated. This left a burning oil smell when parked. The techs said that the oil leak will lead to noise and ultimately the transfer case needs to be replaced.

Took it to Toyota dealers. 8 hours of labour costing AUD 1400 when the seal kit was about AUD 60.

The design is so bad that they had to lower the gearbox to get to some of the bolts on the transfer case. Hence the labour charge.

Top the oil up and dont let it cease. IT would be far more expensive then. but since you dont know how much oil will leak, get it fixed asap.

I have attached the TSB I found through this forum.

Sevenfold

Thanks for the info!