Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Leaking NV4500, Help!!!

[pgellerstedt]

Hi,

Over the last week or so I have noticed that there is a great deal of what I believe is gear oil from the transmission on the underside of the truck. The oil (which has that distinctive smell) is most concentrated in the area of the transmission/trans case mount. However, there is also gear oil on the bottom half of the transmission, on about a 3 foot section of exhaust pipe as well as on the underside of the body/frame, mostly on the exhaust side. It is really well distributed. The top of the transmission seems to be dry which I think would eliminate oil coming out of a breather valve. I checked the level in the transmission and it is approx 1/2 to 3/4" below the filler hole. The transfer case was recently replaced with a new one (shortly before I bought it about a month ago) and I'm guessing that the seal is not very good between the TC and transmission(??). Has anyone had this problem?? Any suggestions? Is there any way to fix it without dropping TC/trans (and big bucks). I don't really want to have to do major surgery nor do I want to add $20/quart oil frequently!! Help!

Thanks, Paul



Truck is a 1994 2500 4x4 138K 5spd.

 

[tarussell]

Take it to a manual car wash and degrease the underside completely. Then take the truck for a drive and frequently check underneath for fresh leaks, this should put you in the area of the leak so you can determine what is wrong.

 

[chrleb1]

I've had this exact problem too. I went to all the trouble of replacing the seal between the transmission and the transfer case just to find it still leaking. So you might want to look at the rear housing of the transmission. I had a hair-line crack that was about 2 inches long on the back right side. All most right where the mount bolts on to. Maybe you could check that out.

 

[pgellerstedt]

chrleb1,

What did you do about this crack?? Did you have to replace the whole trans or have a quick fix for it?? Is it working out for you now? I haven't looked for a crack yet (it's dark and wet outside) but I will asap. thanks for the info.

Paul

 

[chrleb1]

Well it is not that bad of a fix. To remove the back housing on the transmission you have to take the driveline off, then remove the transfer case and linkage to the transfer case. you don't have to the crossmember out, just unbolt the rear mount there and jack up the transmission. There are about 8 or 10 bolts on the rear casing that have to come off. I think that they are just like 10 mm 12 point. Kinda standard bolts. First i would see if you can find the crack before doing all of this... If it is your seal between the transmission and tranfer case, it will be leaking right at the gasket. Just take a rag and cleaner to it to get all the oil and dirt off there. This greatly helps. Then you should see it seeping from somewhere.

 

[chrleb1]

oh and what i did about it was, my brother (Reb. B) had his truck down so we robbed the rear case off of his.