Question:

I’ve got a 1997 Explorer V6 SOHC 4×4 with 42k miles. When I replaced the fuel filter today I noticed a loose black rubber hose on the transfer case.  The hose is on the drivers side of the transfer case about midway up from the bottom. A tube sticks out of the transfer case and the hose was very loosely slipped over it.  There was a drop or two of what looked like of transmission fluid around the tube.  I think this is only a vent hose.  I pushed the hose over the tube and it felt like it grabbed.  There was no clamp. Is this how it is supposed to be?  It just slides on to the tube?  Could I have been loosing fluid through this hose if it was not securely fitted on to the tube? Do the transfer case and transmission share fluid?  How do you check the fluid level in the transfer case if they are different? Thanks for your help. -Mark M.

Response:

Hi Mark, That is the vent line… To check the transfer case fluid, there are 2 plugs on the rear side… the top plug is the fill plug.  Fluid should be at the bottom of it’s threads. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I’ve got a 1997 Explorer V6 SOHC 4×4 with 42k miles. > When I replaced the fuel filter today I noticed a loose black rubber hose on > the transfer case.  The hose is on the drivers side of the transfer case > about midway up from the bottom. > A tube sticks out of the transfer case and the hose was very loosely slipped > over it.  There was a drop or two of what looked like of transmission fluid > around the tube.  I think this is only a vent hose.  I pushed the hose over > the tube and it felt like it grabbed.  There was no clamp. Is this how it is > supposed to be?  It just slides on to the tube?  Could I have been loosing > fluid through this hose if it was not securely fitted on to the tube? > Do the transfer case and transmission share fluid?  How do you check the > fluid level in the transfer case if they are different?

Response: