Transfer Case Leak? - pics inside

[ChiGGz]

I was under the car today and noticed this. Is this coming from my xfer case? The car had all recalls done when I bought it last year. I'll have to check out the fluid level next time when I have my breaker bar on hand :/

Could this be a master cylinder leaking down and spinning off the shaft?

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[GsxProject]

That doesn't look like a leak from the x-fer case. Clearly you can see the there is no fluid coming off the x-fer case where it joins the driveshaft. Secondly the stain looks like it's been accumulating over time, if it were leaking from the x-fer case you'd see more a spatter stain and the x-fer case would be caked in the fluid itself(depending on if the leak is in the front or back). But also I could be wrong being that the x-fer case would spin of any type of fluid at the end when the shaft is moving in high rpms, but my opinion is that's not a leak from the x-fer case.

A pic of the x-fer case itself would help too!

 

[ChiGGz]

I take the the Xfer case is the big one immediate before the joint?
There is no leakage there at all, just accumulated debris

 

[GsxProject]

Yes that would be the actual end of the x-fer case, and begining of the driveshaft. I say trace the fluid to the point where it's most caked on and look for something that's leaking, and swipe your finger across the stain and give a good sniff, if it's oil start looking under the engine. It looks like oil, not really burnt up oil, or it could be from the tranny( my guess would be the tranny b/c it looks like it's leaking from the top of something and the slowly pushing down!!

 

[IslandTSI]

Its probably the u joint on the driveshaft leaking. There is a recall kit to fix it, $36

 

[aero_sallee]

Based on the color it looks like old power steering fluid. It probably leaked from the power steering rack.
It will probably feel somewhat sticky. The red color tends to disappear and it turn yellow when exposed to oxygen for long periods of time. I've seen that color many times on aircraft when Mil-5606 leaks and sits around. 5606 is very similar to dextron and power steering fluid.

 

[ChiGGz]

Does the location look like it could be power steering? I checked the resevoir about a month ago and it was fine back then.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

This is my interpretation.
I'd check your xfer case fluid and go from there. This should be a fairly open and shut case.
It looks like xfercase splash damage and it probably is. To fling oil/fluid onto the parts that are coated in it it would most likely have to be spinning off of the driveshaft/xfer case.
If its not the xfer case then I'd wager you have a leak from elsewhere running down and along the case until it hits the spinning driveshaft which then promptly sprays the shit all over the place. But I find that highly unlikely.
Let us know.

 

[ChiGGz]

Well still haven't checked the fluid levels yet cause I had a slave cylinder issue...then a starter issue. Now I think I might have a master cylinder issue.. Could the leak be from the master cylinder?

 

[PieEyedPiper]

No.
If your master is leaking you should check around the rod of the cylinder for juicy clutch fluid. If its leaking really bad you may also find some running down from the master and underneath your carpeting.

You should check your transfercase fluid asap as well. It's been a while since you posted this. The longer you wait to look at it (10min job) the more potentially fatal it is to your transfercase.

 

[ChiGGz]

I just hate having to crank the car up. And to check t-case leak, I have to jack stand all four to get an accurate level right?

The car hasn't been driven since. Just once around the block to see if the starter was fine.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

I know what you mean. It is a pain, but just tell yourself its only 10min of pain

 

[JeffGST]

It is definately the T-Case. Mine leaked, and had the exact spray pattern.