Hiace Transfer Case Slipping

Gearbox issues are the worst! I had a similar problem with my old Renault Scenic. My Scenic was shifting like it was stirring a bowl of rocks! For me, it turned out to be something to do with the gear oil. How does yours look? Is it sludgy or discolored at all? Might be worth a check!

Thanks for the reply. I checked the fluid level, but I didn't pay close attention to the oil's condition. Could you please elaborate on what you mean by 'sludgy or discolored'? What should I be looking for specifically when I inspect the transfer case oil?

No worries! By sludgy, I mean thick and gloopy, not like fresh oil which should be pretty thin and slippery. Discolored would be anything darker than a honey brown, like black or greyish. Honestly, if you're seeing shifting problems and you suspect the transfer case, and you're not super confident with mechanical stuff, I'd get it to a workshop. It could be a simple fix or something major, but better safe than sorry!

I appreciate the advice. I inspected the oil as you suggested and it was indeed quite dark and sludgy. Following your recommendation, I took the Hiace to a local mechanic, and they confirmed your suspicion: defective gears in the transfer case due to oil wear. The repair cost came to approximately 330€.