And there it goes right down into the X-Case

[HParfitt]

Hi,

Looking for some advice. This has to be at least one of the ten dumbest things I have done, this year anyway. Was replacing the fluids in my 04 Ram in preperation for the winter. It has 64,000mi and is a 6spd with the NV271 Transfer Case. I had just replaced the Transfer Case fluid 20K miles ago. I thought I would draw a sample of fluid out of the Case to see how it looked. I have a syringe with a piece of Tygon hose on the end that I use for this. Sure enough the piece of Tygon slipped off the syringe and fell down into the Transfer Case. It was 1/4OD Tygon about 2" long. I can't find it from the filler plug. The drain plug isn't very open on these. There is an obstruction in the opening from a rib that is part of the Case casting. Here is my dilema. Do I rip apart the Transfer Case to get it out or will it just get chopped up and not do any harm. I have no reason to rip the case apart other than to retrieve the hose. I wasn't real concerned about it doing damage. I was thinking it would probably just get chopped up. Then I see there is a pump listed in the shop manual. I thought it was just splash oiled. I got concerned that it might affect the pump. I have no issues with the Clutch/Trans/Transfer Case so ripping the Case apart would be solely to retrieve the piece of Tygon. What does advice is out there.

 

[KHaines]

I had a similar problem with my t-case. I was changing fluid to synthetic & thought I would was it out with a little brake clean. The straw came off the brake clean & went into the t-case. I left it go & have not had any problems. That was 25k miles ago.

 

[JCasper]

I don't think the TC has a pump, does it?

 

[WUnderwood]

^^^dont think so

 

[HParfitt]

Oil Pump

From the shop manual Pg 21-451



OIL PUMP AND REAR CASE

(1) Disengage the oil pump pick-up tube (Fig. 7)

from the oil pump.

NOTE: The oil pump pick-up tube seals to the oil

pump with an o-ring. Verify that the o-ring was

removed with the tube and is in good condition.

Replace the o-ring if necessary.

(2) Remove the oil pump (Fig. 8).

 

[steved]

Most of the later tcases have pumps, rule of thumb is if it uses auto trans fluid, it has a pump... the last dodge tcase that would not have had a pump would have been the NP205 used in the first gens.



Running the wrong (e. g. thicker) fluid will even cause issues as this causes strain on the pump and it "spins" the pickup up into the air, where it doesn't get any fluid... essentially starving the tcase of lube.



I would be concerned the tygon would get chewed up, and those pieces would clog the pump... essentially doing the same thing, starving the case of oil.

 

[DE Jeeper]

There is a 1. 5" x 1" screen on the end of the pick up. I doubt the tygon will be much of a problem. If you do want to fish it out the t-cases are simple to pull apart. A spring clip wrench is the only special tool you may need. I am about to rebuild mine, but I have had it apart because of a persistant leak so I know what the inards look like.



Aaron

 

[steved]

There is a 1. 5" x 1" screen on the end of the pick up. I doubt the tygon will be much of a problem. If you do want to fish it out the t-cases are simple to pull apart. A spring clip wrench is the only special tool you may need. I am about to rebuild mine, but I have had it apart because of a persistant leak so I know what the inards look like.



Aaron

So you're saying that Tygon tubing (similar to silicone rubber), ground into bits, and sucked against the screen won't cause a significant restriction?



(Glad its not my TCase... )

 

[rbattelle]

Wow, this is a tough problem!

My knee-jerk reaction is to say "leave it alone". But then there's the issue of the oil pump.

Does Tygon float in ATF?

Maybe leave it alone, drive it 500 miles, and change the fluid. If it's been chopped into tiny bits it may flow out.

Ryan

 

[steved]

If it was any trans/transfercase (e. g. NP205 or NP241) that didn't have a pump, I'd say leave it alone.



But the fact this is a third gen, with a chain drive constantly turning (regardless of whether 4wd is engaged) that will grind that tubing up... 500 miles could effectively burn that case up without lube.

 

[KHaines]

My t-case with a pump & something simialr in the oil caused no problems in 25k miles. Of course my t-case was a Chevy, not a dodge. Maybe Chevy's are just better than dodges.

 

[Huff N Puff]

Don't do it:

If the grindings damadge the pump and the transfere case siezes it could make for some major screw-up. We are possibly going to bring the truck to an instant halt,could take out a diff and or trans.

 

[JeffBecker]

I work at New prosses gear , and for the chevy case being better than the dodge , they are built right next to each other. How big was the hose that you dropped into the case?

 

[HParfitt]

The hose was about 2" long and was 1/4OD. I think I'll drive it around the development about for about 20 miles or so. Drain the fluid in a strainer and see if anything comes out. Luckily I don't need the truck as a daily driver. What kind of pump is in the X-Case. The shop manual doesn't have much info on it. Thank you for all the advice.

 

[HParfitt]

Well Tygon sinks like a rock in ATF. I put about 50 real easy miles on the truck. Ran it a bit in 4WD. I drained the fluid through a paint filter. There were some, flakes. Shiny and looked like Tygon but way to small to evaluate. They were like dust much smaller than some of the shavings that came out when I drained the fluid originally after 20K miles. For now I think I wll put another 200 or so miles drain and check it. I fished around again and didn't find it in the case. The way the drain is hole is obstructed it is very hard to even see inside the case. Did anyone ever hear of a case failing due to pump issues? Thank you for all your help.

 

[steved]

Did anyone ever hear of a case failing due to pump issues?

I have in the older ones... not sure if they did the screw "mod" at the factory to the newer ones (someone who builds them would have that answer)? And as with anything, starve it for lubrication and what's the likely result?

 

[betterthanstock]

Just drive it. It will get caught in the chain and sheard off a few times, but it will not turn to powder, just small half inch or so pieces, which should not clog the oil pump. If you worry, change the oil a few thousand miles later.

You still have the 7/70 warranty, don't you?

 

[steved]

That chain/gears will most likely act just like a big grinder, and the smaller pieces would probably get preferentially pulled into it...



Again, its not mine.

 

[JeffBecker]

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This is the views top and bottom of the pickup. Jeff

 

[steved]

Do they pin those from spinning now? Or can the pickup still spin up out of the fluid??