Can the transfer case oil be changed?

[rmod]

^^Is there a pic with the cross brace in place?

Sorry I did not take that picture....but here is the picture from the manual:
(I am too new to post links in this forum. Go to kstinger*dot*com)

 

[Ohiocruiser]

Sorry I did not take that picture....but here is the picture from the manual:
(I am too new to post links in this forum. Go to kstinger*dot*com)
View attachment 66739

I didn't even know you can change transfer case oil. Good to know!

 

[JSolo]

^^It's a sealed unit not intended to be serviced...............................right.

 

[Ohiocruiser]

^^It's a sealed unit not intended to be serviced...............................right.

That is what i thought. Kia is confusing us with putting that filler plug

 

[RogueIV]

I mean KIA doesn't care if the car explodes after the warranty period. I'd still change it after 100k regardless of their recommendations though because all bets are off at that point.

It would be interesting to send a sample off to blackstone for testing though.

 

[JSolo]

Wonder what the typical transfer case oil change interval is for cars where it is openly serviceable?

100K miles seems high. Probably more like 40-50K mi?

 

[Ohiocruiser]

Wonder what the typical transfer case oil change interval is for cars where it is openly serviceable?

100K miles seems high. Probably more like 40-50K mi?

My last car that had transfer case was 1997 land cruiser. Changed it yearly. The thing was lifted so much, i could seat underneath it. So any work on it was super easy.

 

[rmod]

I mean KIA doesn't care if the car explodes after the warranty period. I'd still change it after 100k regardless of their recommendations though because all bets are off at that point.

It would be interesting to send a sample off to blackstone for testing though.

I changed it for the same reason. The car is out of warranty (100K Kms here in Canada) and I still have a year and half's worth of payments left. It would suck if the transfer case failed and I had to pay 5 figures in Canadian money for a replacement case while still paying for the car.
Time will tell if the replacement fluid ends up wrecking it. If it does, I will post an update.

The Genesis G80 has similar drivetrain and it has notes on how to check and top-up the fluid in the service manual (It has a slightly different transfer case). Also there are instructions on how to change the seals on it. For G70/Stinger, they have removed all the instructions and just want to replace the whole unit if any issues. There are no part numbers for the seals and not available to purchase. Talk about planned obsolescence!

 

[Ohiocruiser]

https://www.blauparts.com/ravenol-transfer-case-fluid-tf-0870-1l.html is that the one we need for stinger?

 

[JSolo]

Pricey. I remember using some fancy amsoil rear end oil in the diff in the bike. It barely took 200ml so lasted a while.

 

[Ohiocruiser]

I does look like transfer case has another plug that sits higher. I am wondering, is there a specific way to fill it up.

 

[Ohiocruiser]

Here is better picture

 

[rmod]

is that the one we need for stinger?

That is the fluid that I used. AFAIK, it's straight 75w GL4 oil low viscosity. Redline also has something similar called MT-LV.

 

[rmod]

Here is better pictureView attachment 66747

Looks like that is where the factory fills the case. It's difficult to reach that plug while it is in the car.

 

[JSolo]

f) Refill till overflows and replace the fill bolt.

I was able to remove ~450ml of fluid from the transfer case but was able to put back ~600ml.

Help me understand, how did you determine filling till it overflowed was the correct level?

 

[rmod]

Help me understand, how did you determine filling till it overflowed was the correct level?

 

[JSolo]

Which manual is that from?

Found this interesting post while googling the kia p/n for the fluid (UM018-CH128). Read the reddit link too.

Viscous coupler

Just wondering where this part is located? Bought a 2015 sorento a week ago and theres the classic symptoms of it failing... dealership i bought it from is replacing the rear differential- seriously hoping the viscous coupler is part of the rear diff?

www.kia-forums.com

 

[RogueIV]

My last car that had transfer case was 1997 land cruiser. Changed it yearly. The thing was lifted so much, i could seat underneath it. So any work on it was super easy.

4wd truck transfer cases are a bit more harsh on intervals especially is used for towing or offroad.

Typical gear oil lasts around 60k though so that should be the safe side of things to change it around then. Would be nice to get a test done on the oil around that period just to see its condition

 

[rmod]

Which manual is that from?

That is from the manual for DH (Genesis G80). Once again sorry I have no permissions to post links. Even though they are different transfer cases, I think they are different models from the same company that designed it (Magna). Now does that mean they are the same? I don't know. I assume it's the same...and you know what they say about assumptions.

So they do have a part number for the fluid....interesting. Thabks for the Reddit link.

 

[JSolo]

I still have a ways to go, barely 3100 miles on the car. I do tend to over maintain my cars so definitely like to be in the know how to do something. Never had a car with a transfer case or a front diff, so this is all new.

Just getting this car on jack stands is a royal pita. When I did trans (6mt) and diff on the G, I would just place the car on 4 drive on ramps to get the it level. Can't quite do that as there's no front/rear central jacking points.