Notices
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners 4th gen pickups and 3rd gen 4Runners

Transmission oil issue

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-09-2016, 07:11 AM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Butters91's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Transmission oil issue

96 tacoma 2.7 4wd 5spd 267k miles

About two years ago i changed the oil in my trans, tbox and diffs and today i went to change again to redline mt90 and when i drained the trans the oil looked like this(2nd picture). I had used valvoline full synthetic 75w 90. This is what my tbox oil looked like(1st picture)

Old 12-09-2016, 08:04 AM
  #2  
Registered User
 
millball's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern Arizona
Posts: 4,104
Received 602 Likes on 441 Posts
Looks like it might have some water in it.
Old 12-09-2016, 09:18 AM
  #3  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Butters91's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
How would water get in apart from someone putting water in it without my knowledge?
Old 12-09-2016, 11:20 AM
  #4  
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
wyoming9's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: I live in New Tripoli Pa out in the woods
Posts: 13,381
Received 99 Likes on 86 Posts
Red face

Ford any rivers ??

Did you change the gear oil Hot or cold

Your always going to get condensation

Once the temperature gets above boiling the water goes out the vent if it is working like it should
Old 12-09-2016, 11:24 AM
  #5  
Contributing Member
 
Marc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Posts: 1,241
Received 13 Likes on 13 Posts
That's definitely water.
Old 12-09-2016, 02:33 PM
  #6  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Butters91's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
No rivers

Changed cold

The vent not working would explain it, condensation building up.

But in august i checked the level and the oil was fine
Old 12-09-2016, 02:57 PM
  #7  
Registered User
 
Malcolm99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 679
Received 68 Likes on 63 Posts
Condensation build up from routine short commutes doesn't allow the oil to heat up enough and for long enough to evaporate the condensation and it eventually builds up especially during colder temps.
Old 12-09-2016, 04:21 PM
  #8  
Contributing Member
 
Marc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Posts: 1,241
Received 13 Likes on 13 Posts
That's way more water than you'd get from condensation.
If condensation in gear oil was that big of a problem there would be more occurrences
Also, why aren't the diff's and transfer case bothered by condensation?

I'm guessing water got in there somehow. Are there openings that it could get in?
How about through the top through the gear shift?
Old 12-09-2016, 08:00 PM
  #9  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Butters91's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I will be pulling the shifter boot out this weekend to see and also check the breather
Old 12-10-2016, 09:54 AM
  #10  
Contributing Member
 
Marc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Posts: 1,241
Received 13 Likes on 13 Posts
If you put some of that oil in clear container it might separate, which if it did, would give you an idea on how much water was in it.
Old 12-10-2016, 12:57 PM
  #11  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Butters91's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I may be wrong but shouldnt there be another thicker rubber piece on the shifter seat?

All the grease was dried up and crusty so i cleaned it out and packed it new grease
Old 12-11-2016, 02:06 AM
  #12  
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
wyoming9's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: I live in New Tripoli Pa out in the woods
Posts: 13,381
Received 99 Likes on 86 Posts
Red face

As much dirt as you have on Top of the transmission I would guess no water getting in up there .

Now if it was clean aluminum with the dirt washed off.

I still say Condensation !!

I venture if I drained my Transmission Cold I would have just as much water.

Anyone ever have so much the transmission froze ??
Old 12-11-2016, 05:36 AM
  #13  
Registered User
 
Malcolm99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 679
Received 68 Likes on 63 Posts
Yes, like WY said originally, condensation. I have 6 motor boats I work on and none leak water in the bottom end but all the oil looks like this from condensation due to the fact the oil isn't getting hot enough to evaporate the condensation out. But perhaps you want wrench some more for fun
..
Old 12-11-2016, 07:44 AM
  #14  
Contributing Member
 
Marc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Posts: 1,241
Received 13 Likes on 13 Posts
Originally Posted by Malcolm99
Yes, like WY said originally, condensation. I have 6 motor boats I work on and none leak water in the bottom end but all the oil looks like this from condensation due to the fact the oil isn't getting hot enough to evaporate the condensation out. But perhaps you want wrench some more for fun
..
You've pressure tested those lower ends while they're empty?
Do they hold a vacuum as well when empty?

An outboard lower end is sealed.
Where would the condensation come from?
Where would it evaporate to?

Last edited by Marc; 12-11-2016 at 07:56 AM.
Old 12-11-2016, 08:22 AM
  #15  
Registered User
 
Brandon Bonner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
99 4runner

4runner A/T will shift smoothly into ALL gears but reverse. it will not shift into reverse at all. No grinding, or inclination at all that it is even trying to shift...solenoid maybe?

1999 4runner limited 321000 mi.
Old 12-11-2016, 01:54 PM
  #16  
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
wyoming9's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: I live in New Tripoli Pa out in the woods
Posts: 13,381
Received 99 Likes on 86 Posts
Red face

Due to the fact that gear boxes have vents meaning the Atmosphere can get in water to if you forget you have a wheeled vehicle not a boat

Last I thought about physics was some time back but both Hydrogen and Oxygen are present in the atmosphere .

Just like you get condensation in the roof of your sleeper when you turn the heat on it rains

One gets it in your fuel tanks as well
Old 12-12-2016, 05:40 PM
  #17  
Registered User
 
TheDurk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: New Jersey and Sao Paulo
Posts: 1,262
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by wyoming9
As much dirt as you have on Top of the transmission I would guess no water getting in up there .

Now if it was clean aluminum with the dirt washed off.

I still say Condensation !!

I venture if I drained my Transmission Cold I would have just as much water.

Anyone ever have so much the transmission froze ??
I've seen it happen on tractors, although those were usually left outside so some of that was rain water that gets in via the gear lever. Hibachis are a popular farmer fix. Tractors get a lot of condensation in both trans and engine in the winter because the fluids never get really hot. I'm used to seeing white stuff when I change fluids. But that pic has a LOT of water. For your enjoyment, copied from a tractor board I frequent:

Old: Recipe on how to thaw a transmission housing in cold weather.1- Steel hog feed pan (the rubbers ones smell funny when you use them)

1/2-bag of charcoal briquettes (Full bag if your in a hurry)

1- Old heavy canvas tarp (New plastic ones melt too easy)

Squirt of charcoal lighter fluid (pint of gas if in a hurry. This requires a longer lighting device)

Lighter and or box of matches (propane torch if the wind is blowing)


Put the charcoal in the feed pan. Apply liquid lighting fluid of choice. Light charcoal/fluid. (IF gas was used, light and roll around until your sleeve burns out). Push pan under the tractor transmission. Cover top of the tractor with the tarp. Weight the edges to hold tarp down.

PS. Watch to make sure the oil drain plug is not over the feed pan. Had to repaint the tractor rear half when I did that, after I put the flames out. IF you are quick the paint will stick while the castings are still hot from the fire.
Old 05-19-2017, 11:32 AM
  #18  
Registered User
 
75w90mantraN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PNW
Posts: 573
Received 19 Likes on 17 Posts
Originally Posted by Malcolm99
Condensation build up from routine short commutes doesn't allow the oil to heat up enough and for long enough to evaporate the condensation and it eventually builds up especially during colder temps.
I think that's how I got water in mine. If that's how trans fluid looks with water, I had that happen. It got worse after I thought to change it with unused but already opened bottle of trans fluid. I know...now. I changed out most of it afterwards with fresh new (but went with Chevron) and my shifting nightmares drastically decreased. Water finds its way through anything...vapor diffusion and so forth. After all it comes in 3 forms.

I'll have to check my breather...oh the fun never ends.



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 05:15 AM.