Transfer Case Fluid Level - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

mark_98xp · 01-29-2007, 08:07 PM

I have a 98 Explorer Sport 4.0 sohc with auto tranny, 4wd. It has 152000
miles on it and I bought it used about 4000 miles ago. My local oil change tech said that the transfer case has a leak but that it was full, which didn't
make any sense. Anyway I've really been meaning to check into this leak problem and it seems like maybe I should have already done it. I live in East Tennesse and fortunately for me it hasn't snowed and I've not taken the vehicle off-road. So, I haven't used the 4wd, just driving it back and forth to work 25 miles each way at around 70 mph. Today, after taking my exit off the freeway I came to my first stoplight and after stopping the vehicle kind
of surged forward a couple times with my foot on the brake and I thought I heard some clanking coming from underneath. Upon arriving in my driveway
I examined the clanking/rattling noise which is only heard while the vehicle is in DRIVE
or REVERSE. Neutral and Park the noise stops. Also, everday before I get home there is this steep hill I go up and then turn left at the top. If I go slow enough before i need to turn the vehicle grabs 2nd gear and I can hear and feel a subtle pop in the drivetrain. Could this noise be related to my new clanking noise. I'm hoping the clanking/rattling noise is just a very low transfer case fluid level and changing/ refilling will fix this problem. I will do that asap and not drive it until afterwards. Anyone with any similiar problems
or suggestions about this would greatly be appreciated, Mark. J>

mark_98xp · 01-30-2007, 02:36 PM

I checked and refilled the transfer case with merc V. pretty sure the output
is leaking. Found the noise is not coming from inside the case. The noise is located somewhere in bottom end of the engine. Could this possibly be an oil pump going bad?

01-29-2007, 08:07 PM	#1
mark_98xp Wannabe Elite Explorer Kingsport, Tennessee '98sport Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 16 Vehicle Specs	Transfer Case Fluid Level I have a 98 Explorer Sport 4.0 sohc with auto tranny, 4wd. It has 152000 miles on it and I bought it used about 4000 miles ago. My local oil change tech said that the transfer case has a leak but that it was full, which didn't make any sense. Anyway I've really been meaning to check into this leak problem and it seems like maybe I should have already done it. I live in East Tennesse and fortunately for me it hasn't snowed and I've not taken the vehicle off-road. So, I haven't used the 4wd, just driving it back and forth to work 25 miles each way at around 70 mph. Today, after taking my exit off the freeway I came to my first stoplight and after stopping the vehicle kind of surged forward a couple times with my foot on the brake and I thought I heard some clanking coming from underneath. Upon arriving in my driveway I examined the clanking/rattling noise which is only heard while the vehicle is in DRIVE or REVERSE. Neutral and Park the noise stops. Also, everday before I get home there is this steep hill I go up and then turn left at the top. If I go slow enough before i need to turn the vehicle grabs 2nd gear and I can hear and feel a subtle pop in the drivetrain. Could this noise be related to my new clanking noise. I'm hoping the clanking/rattling noise is just a very low transfer case fluid level and changing/ refilling will fix this problem. I will do that asap and not drive it until afterwards. Anyone with any similiar problems or suggestions about this would greatly be appreciated, Mark. J>

01-30-2007, 02:36 PM	#2
mark_98xp Wannabe Elite Explorer Kingsport, Tennessee '98sport Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 16 Vehicle Specs	I checked and refilled the transfer case with merc V. pretty sure the output is leaking. Found the noise is not coming from inside the case. The noise is located somewhere in bottom end of the engine. Could this possibly be an oil pump going bad?