MajorCommonFluid Leaks

Mitsubishi Pajero: Transfer Case Front Output Seal Leak — Front Propshaft Oil Loss

Transfer Case Front Output Seal Leak — Front Propshaft Oil Loss is a common fluid leaks fault on the Mitsubishi Pajero on the 1991–1999 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $300 to $900 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 39 documented faults on the Mitsubishi Pajero.

Vehicle: Mitsubishi Pajero
Years: 1991–1999
System: Fluid Leaks

This page covers the Mitsubishi Pajero as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Mitsubishi Pajero faults39 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Transfer case yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The front output shaft seal of the transfer case on Gen 2 Pajeros commonly weeps or leaks gear oil at high mileage or following deep-water crossings that contaminate or flush the seal lubricant. Oil coats the front propshaft, crossmember, and chassis rails. Left untreated, the transfer case loses fluid and suffers bearing and gear damage. Leaked oil contacting hot exhaust components is also a fire risk. Seal replacement requires propshaft removal and transfer case output flange work.

What you would notice

Oil film or wet residue coating the front propshaft and flange yoke
Oily staining on the front crossmember below the transfer case
Transfer case oil level low when checked via fill plug
Oil drips from beneath the centre of the vehicle onto the driveway

How to check it

Where to look. Front output seal on transfer case, mounted behind the gearbox at the centre of the vehicle

Check the front propshaft for an oily coating.
Check the transfer case oil level via the fill plug using a fluid check tube.
Inspect the rear output seal for the same condition.
If a workshop inspection is possible: From underneath on ramps or a flat surface, inspect the front output flange of the transfer case for oil weeping around the seal.

Parts involved: Transfer case.

What it costs to put right

$300 to $900 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the transfer case oil been checked and changed recently?”
“Are there any known drivetrain fluid leaks?”
“Has the vehicle been used for deep water crossings or river fording?”

Now check the Mitsubishi Pajero you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Mitsubishi Pajero buyer questions

Is transfer case front output seal leak — front propshaft oil loss serious on a Mitsubishi Pajero?

We rate it major and common on the Mitsubishi Pajero. The front output shaft seal of the transfer case on Gen 2 Pajeros commonly weeps or leaks gear oil at high mileage or following deep-water crossings that contaminate or flush the seal lubricant. Oil coats the front propshaft, crossmember, and chassis rails. Left untreated, the transfer case loses fluid and suffers bearing and gear damage. Leaked oil contacting hot exhaust components is also a fire risk. Seal replacement requires propshaft removal and transfer case output flange work.

How much does it cost to fix on a Mitsubishi Pajero?

$300 to $900 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Mitsubishi Pajero years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 1991–1999 Mitsubishi Pajero. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Check the front propshaft for an oily coating. Check the transfer case oil level via the fill plug using a fluid check tube. Inspect the rear output seal for the same condition. If a workshop inspection is possible: From underneath on ramps or a flat surface, inspect the front output flange of the transfer case for oil weeping around the seal. Look here: Front output seal on transfer case, mounted behind the gearbox at the centre of the vehicle