Chain case oil turning black

[Bradford]

I had a problem last year with my chain case leaking oil. The dealer thinks it was an issue with pressure building up in the chain case. To fix the problem, they installed a small nipple and a breather tube to prevent the pressure build up. They also replaced the drive shaft seal and the cover gasket. All was good this year until I checked the chain case oil last week. It was BLACK. Not just dirty but BLACK! It was also quite runny. I completely flushed out the chain case and re-assembled it, filled it to the top with 75/90 oil, turned it over by hand and drained it..... 4 times then added the proper amount of 75 weight chain case oil. I took it for a 2 mile test run and re-checked the oil. Clean as expected. After 440 miles, it's gone dirty again. Not as bad as before but it looks like it's on its way. I can smell chain case once in a while making me think a seal is failing.

Any thoughts??

Brad

 

[Tom-RX1]

It could be getting very hot check the temp after a long run and see if this is it .
Tom-RX1

 

[apltx08]

Most are having this problem, I noticed the type of oil you use makes a BIG difference, some seam to produce more heat build up as others and tend to let off this strong GEAR oil smell, I switched to a commercial brand for severe use called SWEPCO #212 and havn't had any more smell and it runs a LOT COOLER its moly fortified, we use it in all of our HEAVY truck fleet in diff. trany's pto drives etc. and cut our down time by over 75% this oil is AMAZING!

The other thing don't be affraid to change it more often like 1500kms or so, its cheap & quick to do, this chainecase only holds 250ml and most other competitors hold 355ml or little more, theirs a lot of POWER going thru this chaincase and heat build up, after a long high speed run just stop on the side of the trail and feel how HOT your chainecase gets, you will be amazed, be careful not to burn yourself after a prolonged WOT...

 

[Bradford]

I found the cause of the oil smell. The cover gasket is leaking a bit. I noticed that it was twisted a bit when I was reassembling. I'll replace that.

I might go with the SWEPCO #212 if I can find it or maybe a good synthetic gear oil.

BTW, is there an easier way to drain the chain oil? There doesn't seem to be a drain plug so I've been removing the brake assy, and removing the cover bolts....

 

[apltx08]

Here's the link to SWEPCO products... www.swepcousa.com/lubesite/gear.htm

This is very high quality products, I also use their grease.

 

[Addict]

There's a drain bolt on the inside of the tunnel on the backside of the chaincase.

 

[Bradford]

Found the bolt. Thanks...

Brad

 

[dooboy600]

Brad.

My chaincase seems to be throwing oil out onto the oil resevoir tank,
Did you replace the seal when you take the cover off?

I am running torko synthetic, it seems to be aweful thin.

I see you use 75 weight,Is that fairly thick?

 

[Bradford]

Brad.

My chaincase seems to be throwing oil out onto the oil resevoir tank,
Did you replace the seal when you take the cover off?

I am running torko synthetic, it seems to be aweful thin.

I see you use 75 weight,Is that fairly thick?

My chaincase leaked twice. Once while it was under warranty and again two weeks ago. The dealer thought it was caused by pressure building up and forcing the oil by the gasket so they installed a vent line. What I found out was some 06's were leaking because the gasket seat portion of the cover at the bottom was too thin. The fix is to install an 07 or 08 cover. I went after warranty last week and got a new cover. My argument was that it started leaking while it was under warranty and was never properly fixed. Do a search on chaincase cover leaks. That's how I found out.

For oil, I'm using Motormaster (Canadian Tire) 75-90 synthetic gear oil. Seems to work well.

Brad

 

[dooboy600]

thanks for the reply, I am going to investigate it a bit further. I cleaned it all up and will try to pinpoint where it is leaking if it continues.