Gearbox over full

Hi all went to top up my gearbox just now, unscrewed the filler and loads of oil came out, now I have drained and re filled the box a couple of years ago, I can't have overfilled it this much( let alone it all still being there)... Can I??
I've done the transfer box too and that took a bit of re filling, could the oil be getting into main case?
Cheers

Transfer box oil level is lower than main gearbox do you park it facing down hill a lot?
Usual failure is rear main seal but oil goes into transfer case.
Have you been wading deep water recently? If water has got into the gearbox the oil will be floating on top of the water.

My money is on wading and water ingress as above....

Hi thanks for the quick replys
Its always parked level,. Never been through any big puddles, it's about to have its first pay and play day later this week, hence it's getting checked over...
How the hell can water get in? Its in the garage most of the time!

Usually it's the other way round, gearbox oil gets into the transfer box. In this case I think your transfer box oil is migrating into the gear box. If it was water, you'd have noticed when draining.

Col

Colthebrummie said:

Usually it's the other way round, gearbox oil gets into the transfer box. In this case I think your transfer box oil is migrating into the gear box. If it was water, you'd have noticed when draining.

Col

Click to expand...

...I'm guessing it's a gearbox rebuild then?! Its pretty knackered anyway, I've been looking out for a cheap series 3 box, looks like I'll have to try harder!
Thanks for all your responses. What can I do in the meantime? Just drain and refill I presume?

How long ago was it when you last filled the boxes with oil? If it was a couple of years, I wouldn't worry too much, it's just a bad seal between the two. At least it isn't piddling out over the road like mine does. If the gearbox is still selecting gears and not popping out of gear, you could just carry on using it and just keep an eye on the levels. Finding a good box for reasonable money is getting hard now, I've been looking myself.

Col

I'd guess at about 18 months since I drained and re filled. It's fine going up and down the gears, but is a bit noisy in top

They all are, that's why so many of us try to add some soundproofing.

Col

Ed whats the fill arrangement on your gear box ie top military style or side at the level plug?
The transfer box can be filled from the small plate on the top but only too the level plug beside the hand brake drum.
I would estimate the transfer box level is close to 40mm lower than gearbox level and is only splashed around the input shaft by the gears.
The gearbox filler plug level is I am sure below the level of the mainshaft seal and only splash lubricated .

Hi the gearbox filler is on the side. Transfer filler is on the end by the transmission brake if that's what you mean. So gearbox shouldn't be filling from transfer box?

keep putting oil in