HELP

Go see a mechanic.

It's either dropped the oil, in which case filling it up will just result in more dropped oil - check for lots of wet oil underneath.

or

The gearbox has pressurised and forced the oil into the transfer case, which, if the gearbox isn't dead yet, can be circumvented by joining the transfer and gearbox drain plugs with a length of hose.

Go see a mechanic.

Thanks mate,
Checked under and there isnt much oil - just the usual smearing on the gear box casing, have just talked to a mechanic but he's given me the "it's a major - we'll have to take it out & send it away to be assesed" which doesn't really help me at this stage!

Surely you are not serious in asking this question.

Go "slowly" right now and see a mechanic. It sounds expensive so take a big credit card. You should have stopped as soon as the very first bearing/gear started making a sound and gone to a mechanic right then.

A bit harsh but sorry this is the type of thing you should know when owning a car of any type.

Phil

I immagine you are aware of this but I will say it anyway.

If the service mob stuffed up then if you do any work at all on the car then you run the risk of voiding any chance of getting compensated by the "service" mob who serviced the car.

Phil

James,

First a couple of things worth knowing -

You actually have 2 gearboxes in a 4WD, one called the gearbox and the second one referred to as the transfer box (or case), which is used to engage the front wheel drive and provide the low range gearing. These two are mounted together. forming a single assembly. The gearbox is the lower one of the pair. It is quite common for the not so young Toyota 4WD's to develop a leak between these two gearboxes and for oil to migrate from the gearbox UP to the transfer case. That's what the guys are talking about above - it's possible that you haven't lost oil, it's simply migrated between the boxes. If this has occurred, you wouldn't have lots of oil outside the boxes.

Something else that you maybe already know - Never ever engage 4WD on bitumen. Why? - transmission windup - in 4WD the front and rear axles are both locked to the engine so must turnm at the same speed, yet may need to run at slightly different speeds due to slight differences in wheel diameter. Not a problem on gravel, which allows a bit of slippage, but on bitumen with no wheel slip the whole transmission is under damaging stress referred to as transmission windup.


How do you know that the gearbox is out of oil? There is a plug in the bottom of it that's used to drain the oil out. Stay away from that one and look for a similar plug on the back end of the gearbox, a few inches up from the bottom. There should be oil up to the level of that plug. The setup is the same for the transfer case, and it would be worth checking (carefully!) if that is overfull. That would prove the point about oil migrating between the two boxes. The fix for that problem is a hose as mentioned above that connects the inlet ports of the 2 gearboxes. (The migration is caused by a pressure buildup in the gearbox - linking them together with a hose solves the pressure difference issue, and in any case provides a return path for excess oil back to the gearbox.)

I think if it was mine, I'd first check those two oil levels. Have a container ready to catch surplus oil from the transfer case when you remove the filling plug. If you can keep it clean that oil could go back into the gearbox. Getting oil back into these boxes can be a pain - some gearbox oil is sold in a sort of squeeze bottle with a pull out spout. This allows you to pump it up into the box. Very hard otherwise.

Check the oil level by inserting a bit of bent wire in through the filling hole as a dip stick.

I'd ensure that 4WD is not in use, check oil levels, remove any excess from the transfer case and if necessary, fill the gearbox with oil. If doing these things loosens it all up and quietens it down, it's probably ok to drive it short distances. Don't think I'd risk driving across Oz. Certainly I'd check the gearbox oil level frequently and look for external leaks. If you do have a leak, keep putting oil in. If it's migrating to the transfer case, don't let it build up too far there.

Final fix is probably a full gearbox rebuild (=$$$$). I'd fit a bypass hose as a cheap precaution, even if you do have a rebuild.

HTH

John

Maybe if you say where you are in Queensland, somebody here can recommend somewhere that you can take it to get it checked.

Hi James, my there is some really rude people on here aint there, just ignore them as it is that time of the month hahaha .... they can be nice people sometimes and if they had read it would have seen you state it is your 1st 4wd so fairly good question to ask and good place to ask it ....
Your problem sounds familure to what i had, it was supposed to be "serviced" and it only drove from Perth, Albany, Bremer and it blew up, i did not bother to even try to follow up the mechanic as i was on my way to the NT and need to get there .... did not even drain the oil, changed it out in Bremer ..
As some have said the oil may have transferred to the transfer box, you can get a part (tube with fittings) that takes it back to the gearbox again cycling it around again ...... but that aint going to help you now
First answer for you.... NO you can not fill it up and drive it back as it wont last ...
Find out your box model first and then check out e-bay and internet and ring around, you can get complete box/transfer cases for "reasonable" prices and fitting it is not that big a job, also get a price "fitted" as it may work out cheaper but it may cost upwards from $2000 so be prepiared ....
Where in qld are you, may be able to help or at least point you in some direction..
Cheers
Joe

Hi James,

Whatever has happened you now have a damaged gearbox, from your explanation. (growling and whining noises)

I would get it fixed while in Queensland if I were you as there are some wide open spaces between Brisbane and Perth and a breakdown out there could easily double your cost, perhaps more.

I would advise that if you do not get it right before you leave Queensland you probably won't make it back to Perth without a failure.

These things aren't cheap to work on but are worth the expense as they are tough gear.

Have you phoned the mechanic that did your service. We have had some problems in the past with stupid stuff not done like refill the gearbox after its been drained on our new Hino (1st service). To wheel nuts not being correctly tensioned, the same bloke did a lot of other things wrong and has since left before he got the sack. Both instances was a long way from home and a maj fix. Our first phone call was to the mechanic to let them know what has happened and ask them to recommend some one to go to. You never know they might be well travelled. Another thing is to document everything. But you must ring the mechanic that did the job with out going off like a rocket. Good luck, it really stuffs your holiday up and makes one cranky when you do the right thing getting it serviced before you leave. I know!!!!

James, where are you now?..If you are on the Gold Coast, maybe can assist getting some help to you.

No response. There is an interesting thread about Forum Etiquette. Hmmmm

Phil

Thanks to everyone who replied - So this is the sitch;
I took it to a mechanic and asked himm to check the gearbox/transmission fluids, we went for a drive and straight away he said bearings. I talked to him about the possiblity of fluid transfer/gearbox pressurising etc but as soon as we got it on the hoist he spotted a major - whoever drained and changed the g.b oil last cracked the casing of the g.b around the drain bolt and then siliconed it up??!!! SO the gear box oil leaked out and ran dry ruining the bearings. I have not contacted the dealer or last service mechanic yet as I am figuring out a plan of attack - yes I should have noticed the noise and got it sorted sooner BUT someone must also be liable for the appaling job done adn damage to the vehicle! I will keep you all posted!!