Hello,

Like the title says, I have recently noticed that my t-case fluid has some transmission fluid in it.. I think.

I usually run diaqueen in the t-case and the redline cocktail in the tranny. I recently changed all the fluids and realized that the fluid in the t-case was red and I measured the fluid coming out of it, it seemed about right but.. red. My ACD reservoir has not went down, so I ruled ACD fluid out. The fluid coming out of the tranny is the usual red but I think some fluid is entering the transfer case and turning the amber diaqueen, red. I did a quick test and changed the t-case fluid and drove it around the block.. When I drained it, it was already slightly red. I also have no visible leaks on the outside of the transmission nor transfer case. Keep in mind I recently (in the last 15k) had my clutch replaced by RRE and t-case rebuilt (new hardened ring/pinion) by KAR king.

So my question is, is it possible for some transmission fluid to enter the t-case through the seal and o-ring that separate the 2 units? Or is this normal.

Any help is appreciated.


The o-ring/ seal numbers, respectively are 30289S (small) / 30289P (large) and 30146.

First time posting image, please let me know if it does not show up.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...g?t=1285260939

 

This happened to me a while back. Burnt up 4th gear due to all the tranny fluid leaking out into the tcase.

 

this happened to me with the 03 evo 8. the tcase was never touched from the factory but somehow the seal was pinched, i guess during install. tranny fluid went into the tcase, even out the tcase breather hole. the tcase had the death whine and had to be replaced. tranny was ok though.

 

ACD fluid can get into it if the ACD "piston" seals are compromised.. as far as trans fluid, perhaps the end where the halfshaft connects in or the opposite end right at the trans. If the small orings between the trans and tcase were out, I think it just leaks out rather than into the tcase.

What redline fluids are you using? Lightweight shockproof is green and if I recall MT-90 is clearish, been a while since I used that though..

 

Thats what I originally thought was happening Honda-Guy, but like Liqquid said, I think if those seals were bad it would leak between the two cases. When I originally purchased the car it had the death whine, which pushed me to buy a rebuilt t-case because the ACD unit was pushing ATF fluid into the t-case. Which ultimately caused fluid to be pushed out the breather you are speaking of. But I had to continuously filly the ACD reservoir, thats how i knew that was the cause.

But Liqquid, I was using the redline "cocktail" originally [2 quarts of MTL (red) and 1 quart MT-90(clearish)] but I replaced the two CV joints and some fluid leaked out... So I topped it off the tranny with more MTL which may have diluted the mix to a thinner viscosity. Do you think since I may have thinned the "cocktail" out, it may of caused the fluid to become so thin it enters the t-case through where the half-shaft connects to the t-case?

You can see in the picture what I am speaking about, the o-rings and seal (i don't think the seal nor o-rings prevent fluid exchange between the 2 cases, correct me if i am wrong please). But I'm curious if the cause of fluid entering the t-case is from where the female end of the output shaft, on the t-case connects to the male part of the half-shaft that goes through the transmission.

BTW disregard the arrow pointing to the o-ring... Picture used in another post.


https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/at...aking-0607.jpg

 

definitely don't think fluid thinning has anything to do with it, BG Synchroshift when warm is super thin and plenty or people use that. I'm guessing you'll have to take it out to inspect those large seals in the picture.. one of them may be ripped, I think the inner one would contaminate fluids if it fails

 

Thanks liqquid I'll check it out when I pull it next week.

 

this is the seal that was bad in the tcase on my evo 8. the last picture in the first post

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...-but-have.html

 

So honda-guy, I can't really tell which seal that is in the last picture. Is the seal in the t-case or the transmission?

If you look at the attached image, is it number 3?

 

i believe the seal is N7 in the diagram.

 

Okay I understand now. I'm pulling the tranny and sending it to jackstransmissions for a performance rebuild and I want to address this tranny fluid entering transfer case issue myself.. Especially since I bought a rebuilt unit w/ hardened ring and pinion last year with <10k.

Is replacing that seal as simple as taking the cover off the passenger side of the t-case and putting a new one in? Or is it more in depth because the acd clutch packs sit on that side?

Thanks honda-guy

 

i just remove cover and replace the seal. my evo 8 didn't have ACD though. but i also removed the whole tcase since i had to replace it.