2023 JLUR 4xe: Transfer Case leak

[Tr4ckD4ys]

Hey guys!

I’m not mechanically versed as much as others here so I thought it best to reach out to the community, before I bring it in to the dealer.

I have taken some pictures from under my JLUR, mainly because I wanted to check for dirt. However, when I did look I realized a very small oil dripping below the vehicle after 24hrs of standing (it must amount to less than 3-5 drops, since oil spreads).

Can you help me figure out what the marked areas in those pictures are? All of those areas don’t feel dry to the time in and have a slight oil film on them. With exception to the last picture which seems to be the source of the dripping from the marked bolt. Is this the transmission leaking? Drive shafts?

Any guidance to help me best steer the dealer service department in the right direction would be helpful!

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[cs2k]

First picture
- top: that’s where the axle tubes goes into with your front differential. I doubt it’s leaking there because the axle tubes are pressed into the pumpkin with an interference fit and then rosette welded into place. If you find oil there, its probably from somewhere else (dripped from top or flung from another place).

- middle: that’s your pinion shaft & Yoke. The pinion seal can leak but that’s usually after a few years. Your jeep looks pretty pristine.

- bottom: that’s your transmission pan. The pan holds your transmission filter and fluids.

Last picture - A transmission pan bolt. I think these bolts are torqued anywhere from 10-12 ft lb. If you find leaks around that specific bolt. It might be worth getting a torque wrench and checking if its up to spec.

Based on your circled areas, you are either leaking gear oil (axle tube, pinion seal) or transmission fluid. The gear oil is thicker and has a really strong distinct smell while the tranny fluid is more watery.

 

[Tr4ckD4ys]

Went under there today before going into the dealer tomorrow to wipe everything clean and see if it reoccurs. So far it’s been probably a drop of oil or less per 24hrs. I was able to see that several transmission pan bolts had some oil residue on them but more importantly I was not able to see any lines or traces of oil above the bolts. I was able to locate the oil to an area where it seems the transmission itself is bolted/sealed together - see attached pictures.

also the liquid/oily film is yellow-ish in color almost like engine oil and odorless to my insensible smell-buds.

I’m thinking transfer case fluid @cs2k ?

 

[BearInJeep]

@Tr4ckD4ys - I just purchased a 2023 Wrangler 4xe about five weeks ago and just hit about 900 miles. I am having the same exact issue!
Could you enlighten me on your outcome? I’m just trying to figure out what to expect here.

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