Ok, I know it was dumb but I pulled out on to the highway and forgot to take my 04 out of 4 wheel. I drove about 60 or 70 miles before I realized what I had done. From what I can gather the front transfer case blew enough fumes and oil out the small breather tube to give the left front wheel well a coating of oil. Nothing dripping so I doubt that it was much. The dealer says it should not be a problem and just service the front transfer the next time I am in. I don't use 4 wheel all that much. All of the differentials were serviced less than 10000 miles back. Any thoughts to ease my mind?

Lynn

Put your mind at ease, your tires might be a bit more worn and your transfer case is thanking you for the lube job.

front transfer case

for future reference its a differential, not a tranfer case. Had me confused and had to read it twice. I've done the same thing, left it in 4wd for a few miles before i noticed the steering was harder than normal, I'm talking city tho.

dont worry about it i plow in the winter and when going from one place to another on the e-way i leave it in 4 wheel even if the road is clear just to be safe 55-65 mph and i have 172,000 and havent had any problems

the way it sounds you should be okay...ive done it a few times myself

I drove from Greenbay WI to Detroit MI one winter and the interstate was constantly going from dry and clear to icy and snowy patches. I left the truck in 4 hi and drove from 50 (on the icy patches) to 70 (on the clear sections) for 7 or 8 hours. As long as you are not trying to turn on dry surfaces, you shouldn't have any problems. Are you running synthetic lube in the front diff? The "pumping" you got out of the vent hose may be because you have a black vent cap, not because of any other problem.

Ok, I know it was dumb but I pulled out on to the highway and forgot to take my 04 out of 4 wheel. I drove about 60 or 70 miles before I realized what I had done. From what I can gather the front transfer case blew enough fumes and oil out the small breather tube to give the left front wheel well a coating of oil. Nothing dripping so I doubt that it was much. The dealer says it should not be a problem and just service the front transfer the next time I am in. I don't use 4 wheel all that much. All of the differentials were serviced less than 10000 miles back. Any thoughts to ease my mind?

Lynn

Your fine. Drove mine towning my 5er on dry roads 100 miles before I noticed it. No harm that I can see. 4WD still works fine..Jim

I would think if you drove it 60-70 miles before you noticed it and it wans't making any noises to get your attention then all is well.

lynn1130 we all have done this if it drives good no weird sounds things are good got lub moveing all is well enjoy your truck

Thanks guys. I thought this was the case but hearing it from others sets my mind at ease.

You may be ok, but the fluid getting so hot it pukes is not normal. Are the tire sizes the same front to back? I've run 4wd on dry pavement and never noticed any fluid pukage....


Also, it's hard on the real transfer case that lives in the back of the transmission. You may want to drain it and replace it with 5w30 synthetic motor oil. Thats the latest best practice. Also add 3 qt in thru the speed sensor on top vs the factory wanting only 2.

Then dump the front differential fluid and replace with synthetic gear oil.


should be ok long term

jb

If you're into electrical mods, this one will light up the 4WD light on Instrument Panel, which is more noticable than the light on the pushbutton switch:
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?p=815784#post815784

and if you have an 01/02, starting at post #24:
http://dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48892&page=3&highlight=4WD

If you puked fluid, try replacing the front breather. I have been puking a little at a time since I installed Amsoil in the front, just havent gotten around to changing the breather yet.

Tony

i run mine in 4 wheel from the end of october till march, you eed to run the 4wheel once in awhile for lube, guys that dont seem to have troubles