Initial quality complaint

I have 1056 miles on my ORP which I got in April. Today I checked the front diff, transfer case, rear diff and transmission fluid levels. The rear diff and transfer case were full to the fill plugs. The front diff took 3/4 quart and holds 1.6! Really disappointed in that. Filed a complaint case with Brand engagement today. I added a quart to the transmission using the OBD jumper method (across pins 4 and 13). The temp check worked fine but not like my 2016 Tacoma. On my 2016 Tacoma, the first indication the jumper is installed is many lights blinking on the instrument panel. The 4 Runner did NOT do that. However, while cycling the trans select lever between D and N, it did go to “solid D” light, indicating “temp check mode”. When put in Park the D vanished. The D then re-appeared (while still in Park) after warming up, indicating the minimum temp was adequate to remove the check plug and look for steady dripping. After getting the steady drip (not uninterrupted flow) I reinstalled the check plug. It took about 8-10 minutes of continued idling until the D started flashing indicating too hot to check the level. So the procedure worked but this 4 Runner must have slightly different software than my 2016 Tacoma did. I’ll report back when Brand engagement contacts me about the front diff under-filing issue.

 

Wanted to check based on your other posts, did the drain and fill plugs appear to be close to the torque specs you had anticipated?

I failed to measure the amount removed when I switched over to synthetic.

 

All the fill plugs were tougher breaking loose than I thought was needed. I actually smashed the back of my hand when the front diff 10mm hex broke loose. I reinstalled all the fill plugs (not including trans check plug) to 27 ft-lbs. When I drain them, likely 30,000 miles I’ll use new crush washers and follow published specs for the drain plugs. Have you used the OBD jumper method to check your trans fluid? If so, did you get the flashing lights? I did not but it worked fine otherwise. I’m thinking about getting one of the smart phone compatible OBD plug modules

 

You have piqued my interest on the trans volume, But have not yet attempted that way of checking the trans. Currently at 4300 on the mileage on my runner.
I have reached out to one of my former Inifiniti techs who opened his own shop hoping to score a few minutes of lift time to check.

Will update when this takes place.

 

I don’t consider adding a quart of trans fluid as a huge deal given the larger volume. Plus it depends on what temp you check at within the range and when you call “the steady trickle”. But the front diff was 3/4 quart low out of 1.6 quart capacity! That’s close to 1/2 empty. Nominally , if following the maintenance schedule you would even be checking it until 30,000 miles. Well, that’s why I always check these major fluids early. The odd thing is the rear diff and transfer case were oozing at the fill holes so those were done perfectly in Japan. I was parked on level ground in both directions.

 

I’m sure you’re aware but if you drive to a location to use a lift, you have to let the transmission cool down. My dealer wants the vehicle left overnight so it will be cool when they start work the next morning. One reason I checked mine using the OBD jumper method at home. I don’t have a scan tool yet.

 

Copy that information, I am a retired Infiniti/Nissan Master technician and am beginning to question lots of this information that until recently I have taken for granted based off of the track record Toyota had.

Grandma always said, One ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

 

Did the trans actually need the added quart? Or did you do that so you could bring it back down to the right level via the check plug. I did front, rear and transfer case around 1000 on mine but usually wait till 10k to do a single drain n fill on the trans and then every 20k thereafter. You’ve got my OCD all stirred up now thinking about a quart of WS fluid. Im only at 8k now

 

Yes , I actually added 1.5 quarts and drained out 1/2 quart in the check procedure thru the check plug (5mm hex).

 

im not gonna sleep tonight

 

Gotta run to Walmart and get some maxlife. Seriously though, just think how many under filled a750s are out there with 6 figures of miles on them that have never been touched. Im trying to feel better about it knowing it’s not that big a deal

 

Was your front diff low from factory ? Since you drained it at 1000 miles? Did you even engage 4 WD , to exercise the front diff, in the first 1000 miles? Just wondering? Correct me if wrong but the front driveshaft does not spin in 2WD, correct? And the half-shaft CV axles turn with the rolling front wheels? But until you engage the 4 WD , the front diff doesn’t drive the front wheels, via the ADD. I see you are very conservative with maintenance. I have engaged my ORP a decent amount in the 1056 miles I have on it. Took delivery April 6. I was checking the fluids today to verify they were properly filled at factory. I was pleased except the front diff being almost 50% low.

 

When I first went thru check procedure I got NO overflow from check tube. So first time thru I added 1.5 quarts hoping it was enough. So I wasted 1/2 quart. You have to start with some quantity. All I knew is that it was under-filled.

 

The front was just enough to be up to the fill plug and not ooze out. Same with the transfer. Rear was oozing. I thought, perfect, the japanese never make mistakes. Yes I did engage it multiple times 4hi and low at multiple speeds. No the front shaft won’t spin in 2wd, the cv axles do but not the gears or drive shaft

 

This is kind of irrelevant now but my last 4R, a 2017, I drained and filled the exact amount I got out and it was within spec at the right temperature when I pulled the check plug

 

Interesting thread. Reminds me of an experience a coworker I knew years ago. They had bought a brand new Chevy? pickup from out of state and were driving home when the rear diff handgrenaded. They discovered that the rear diff had not been serviced with ANY oil!

I serviced my diffs last year while I still had the spacer lift and front diff drop spacers. Shortly thereafter I had the spacers removed, so my front diff probably is slightly over serviced due to the new angle. I usually only use 4wd at low speeds so I’m not overly concerned about it.

 

It's hard to understand that there would be thousands of these on the road that are not properly PDI'ed at the factory before the keys are handed over to the new owner. Just does not seam like something the best built vehicle would miss.
BUT...for sure a good thing to check for peace of mind, because once you have the keys it's your problem.

 

It will be fine.

 

Agreed. I am disappointed but I checked because I have seen initial quality issues before. If you don’t do your own routine maintenance, you would never know. And if you rely on dealer service , you can’t know unless you check behind them. Bottom line is if you want your vehicle to last, you must check these things. If you trade before the warranty is up, it’s not your concern. These 4 Runners are tough. I would rather the front diff be low than the rear diff. But it’s not unreasonable for a customer of an off-road icon to not have to check these fluid levels until they need to be drained and refilled.

 

Would all of the fluids not be checked by the tech doing the PDI? Pretty scary of QA at the plant and the tech completing the PDI are disregarding such things. That or one is trusting the other will find it and take care of it.

 

My brother drove his 2001 Ford Ranger 2WD 388,000 miles. He told me he never changed the rear axle oil. LOL

 

Agreed. How can the rear diff and transfer case be oozing at the fill plug and the front diff be almost 50% low? Well, it was some kind of human error. Had to be. But the only reason you would ever check these things before needed scheduled maintenance is because you realize these things happen. I love watching the plane crash investigation shows on TV. I use to do root cause analysis in the Nuclear Power plant business. Most failures that occur are human errors. Planes go down and everyone dies because the jack screw on the horizontal stabilizer never got lubricated. Schedule pressure keeps getting the intervals extended. Hundreds of people die! At least these are just cars. But the point is human errors are everywhere and good procedures with independent verification is the best way to avoid them. I’m doing my own independent verification because I want my 4 Runner to last. Most people on these forums feel the same way.

 

I’ll bet it was properly filled at the factory.

 

This is me also on my 2016. I did a drain and fill, measured the exact amount that came out and put new fluid in at that amount. No issues whatsoever. That whole temperature check scenario is not needed in my opinion.

 

No.

 

That amount that came out means nothing unless you verified it was properly filled at the last service or factory. The check procedure is the only way to accurately check the level. Why people are afraid of this or choose to ignore it seems very strange.

 

Should someone engage 4hi a few times before checking their front differential fluid? Or can the level be accurately read even if you've never put it in 4hi?

 

Maybe I am missing why measuring the amount out/in on diff and transfer case is necessary. Fill it until it oozes out and it's full. I can be OCD like oil changes wanting the level to be perfect but on the fill being an over flow it seems fail proof assuming it's filled up and new gaskets used so won't leak. And torqued to correct specs.

 

BTW, I used the OBD jumper wire method (pins 4-13) and it worked. It uses the “D” indicator to let you know when in the right range (115-130 F). However I did NOT get all the flashing lights on the instrument panel. On my 2016 Tacoma TRDOR I DID get all the flashing lights. Don’t guess it matters because the the D appeared after warm-up and started flashing about 12 minutes later. I was expecting all the flashing lights. Wish I had an OBD plug-in device that is IPhone compatible. I have been reading about some models. I don’t want a subscription and I would rather not have to get any additional software. Just download the App. Anyone got a bullet-proof recommendation I would appreciate it.

 

For front or rear diff I don't see how usage before checking matters. If it will allow fluid to be added it's ok. Can't over fill it because it will run out the fill hole.