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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)
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.
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?
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
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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
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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?
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?
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.
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.
Dec 9, 2016 | 07:11 AM
