1995 control trac gear oil leak

[mitch748]

hi, i have a 95 v6 control trac explorer. Last night i inadvertantly knocked the 4wd switch to 4-low, then once i reached about 40 kmph i noticed and switched it back to 2wd, the 4wd light stayed on, i stopped, put it in park, moved the switch back to 4 low and then back to 2wd and the light went out. It seemed ok, but i had a suspicion that the front wheels were still engaged on my drive home (about 35 kms). When i went to the car today i noticed a pool of gear oil on the garage floor at the front passenger side (from behind where the front left headlight is, looking at it from the front of the car). Any ideas what i've done, and how i can fix it? Will it be ok to drive the car?

 

[mitch748]

front diff breather tube

on further inspection the gear oil is coming from the end of the diff breather tube, which is located just below the air filter housing. Have i caused some expensive problems? or should i just fill the diff up again and keep driving?

 

[Cobraguy]

Whether it was in 4 high or 4 low makes no difference to the diff. It sees the same speeds regardless. Oil out the vent indicates it may have got hot...or may have been over full. If you aren't hearing any noises, then I wouldn't be too worried. But I would double check that the axle disconnect is operating correctly for you and that it and the transfer case is shifting correctly.