rlb
Member
Well I bought a boat, a 24' Albemarle. This has turned from a boat project, to a boat, trailer and now truck project. I'll explain.
The boat came with a rusty EZ loader trailer. $1000 in parts and 2 back breaking days cutting rusty parts off with an angle grinder, the trailer is refurbished w new springs, hubs, brakes, surge actuator and brake lines.
I drive 3 hours down to the coast and pick up the boat. Total weight of boat and trailer is about 6500lbs. I towed it back about 55-60mph with the transmission NOT in overdrive. When I get back home, I go to unhitch the trailer and.... uh-oh. The trailer jack is covered in fluid. The back of the suburban has a fine mist of oil/atf on it.
So, I go crawling around on my back to try and find the source of the leak. The rear axle and bottom of fuel tank is wet with fluid, but I trace the leak ahead of the axle. Driveshaft is also wet with fluid. Tcase has a drop of ATF on the bottom. Transmission has a little fluid on it from a leaking pan gasket, that has been leaking for awhile and very slowly. The biggest leak I can find is the crossmember under the transfer case is very wet with fluid. However, I can't really find the source of the leak. Both of the front and rear driveshaft seals didn't seem to be leaking.
I'm taking it to a shop this week to have it put on a lift and the leak diagnosed. Posting here because I think its strange the leak appeared after towing the heavy load. Wondering if something got hot and blew fluid out of a vent? Tcase and both axles had fluid changed recently by local mechanic. I don't have a transmission temp gauge. It does have a factory auxiliary cooler.
Here are a few admittedly crappy pics.
The boat came with a rusty EZ loader trailer. $1000 in parts and 2 back breaking days cutting rusty parts off with an angle grinder, the trailer is refurbished w new springs, hubs, brakes, surge actuator and brake lines.
I drive 3 hours down to the coast and pick up the boat. Total weight of boat and trailer is about 6500lbs. I towed it back about 55-60mph with the transmission NOT in overdrive. When I get back home, I go to unhitch the trailer and.... uh-oh. The trailer jack is covered in fluid. The back of the suburban has a fine mist of oil/atf on it.
So, I go crawling around on my back to try and find the source of the leak. The rear axle and bottom of fuel tank is wet with fluid, but I trace the leak ahead of the axle. Driveshaft is also wet with fluid. Tcase has a drop of ATF on the bottom. Transmission has a little fluid on it from a leaking pan gasket, that has been leaking for awhile and very slowly. The biggest leak I can find is the crossmember under the transfer case is very wet with fluid. However, I can't really find the source of the leak. Both of the front and rear driveshaft seals didn't seem to be leaking.
I'm taking it to a shop this week to have it put on a lift and the leak diagnosed. Posting here because I think its strange the leak appeared after towing the heavy load. Wondering if something got hot and blew fluid out of a vent? Tcase and both axles had fluid changed recently by local mechanic. I don't have a transmission temp gauge. It does have a factory auxiliary cooler.
Here are a few admittedly crappy pics.