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how bad is a slightly overfilled transfer case?

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Old 12-19-2012, 06:58 PM
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Default how bad is a slightly overfilled transfer case?

I just changed the fluid on my TC and it was a good thing I did - the stuff that came out was dark brown and looked like burned, 10,000mi old oil. I replaced it with Valvoline Max Life Dex/Merc which is a synthetic based DexIII compatible. Only thing is, it took about 1.6L or almost 2 quarts until it was coming out the fill plug. After comparing the amount added to the recommended amount of 1.3L for the np242 select-trac I realize I've overfilled it by a little bit. This happened because I was parked on a slight down-grade I'm pretty sure.

Is this something I should worry about? What will happen if I leave it slightly overfilled (by about 300ml)? If necessary, I can just find a flat spot somewhere and open the fill plug to let it drain down a bit. I seem to remember reading that it could cause the fluid to aerate and then not lubricate properly, but couldn't find anything about it with 30mins of googling...

Thanks in advance for any input!
Old 12-19-2012, 07:12 PM
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This doesn't strike me as a critical mess-up.

Drain a little if it'll make you feel better, but I don't see where you hurt it.
Old 12-19-2012, 07:25 PM
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Thanks man, I'm not really freakin out, just don't wanna promote unnecessary wear over the long term. It sounded fine when I drove it in the different modes. I'll probably just drain a little out next time I find a flat spot where I can throw down the drain pan. My driveway is mostly at one angle or another and I figured a little overfill was a better option than underfill.

I'm just glad I got this black crap outta there, it even smelled burnt!:
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Old 12-19-2012, 07:28 PM
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Park it on level ground, remove the top plug until extra drains out. Done.

You didn't do any damage to your case.
Old 12-19-2012, 07:35 PM
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Thanks guys, that's the plan - drain from the fill plug once I've found me some level ground. That's the big problem with living up in the mountains though, even the big parking lots are at an angle so when the snow melts in the spring they don't turn into ponds. However, I'm sure there's some deserted spot on a back road somewhere that is close enough to level for this purpose, so now I have another excuse to go driving around randomly in the Jeep!
Old 12-19-2012, 10:39 PM
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Just jack up the front or rear diff until the jeep is level, set it on jack stands, then pull the fill plug. No need to find a perfectly level spot.
Old 12-19-2012, 10:47 PM
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If it was that filthy just wait a while then change it again.
Old 12-19-2012, 11:32 PM
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Will hurt nothing at all. Dont worry about it.
Old 12-20-2012, 05:38 AM
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The factory actually made a special fill plug to raise teh tC level. Run it. Check it in 1,000 miles since it was so dirty.
Old 12-20-2012, 08:08 AM
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Originally Posted by cruiser54
The factory actually made a special fill plug to raise teh tC level. Run it. Check it in 1,000 miles since it was so dirty.
? Data please.
Old 12-20-2012, 08:31 AM
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You are worried about nothing. If its too full, the fluid will just burp out the vent tube, but 300ml is not overfill. 1 quart over is over fill. Dont worry about man, its fine.
Old 12-20-2012, 09:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Turbo X_J
If it was that filthy just wait a while then change it again.
Thanks everyone, this is kinda what I was thinking since it was so nasty in there. I just wanted to be sure it wouldn't make things worse or blow out seals somewhere with the extra bit in there. I'm not exactly an expert! I'll give it a while then re-do the fluid change. I've got one of those nifty hand pumps that goes in a quart bottle so the whole process takes like 20 minutes. It was 15degrees F. when I did it yesterday and my hands barely got cold.
Old 12-20-2012, 03:36 PM
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Originally Posted by CCKen
? Data please.
It was in a TSB at one time. They made a fill plug with an offset 1/8 or 1/4 inch pipe plug offset into it. You installed the plug and rotated it so the little hole was at 12 o'clock.
Old 12-20-2012, 03:58 PM
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Originally Posted by cruiser54
It was in a TSB at one time. They made a fill plug with an offset 1/8 or 1/4 inch pipe plug offset into it. You installed the plug and rotated it so the little hole was at 12 o'clock.
Amazing.

I've never seen one.

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out for pics of it.

Edit: Only TC **** people like me would be interested in this. LOL
Old 12-20-2012, 04:36 PM
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Originally Posted by CCKen
Amazing.

I've never seen one.

Thanks, I'll keep an eye out for pics of it.

Edit: Only TC **** people like me would be interested in this. LOL

I.S. Note 3E, of which I have no copy. I skip from 2E to 4E.

Your malady is called OCTCD.


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