Trans oil after 7 years (at least)

[giantsean 59]

Hey gang... been a while since I posted and nice to be back.  I've had the horses stabled for a while due to other projects... one of which I need my C-101 for now.  Last time she ran was about 2022 or so and that was a short haul.  Had to do some fixes to get her running (dirty points, bad fuel shutoff bunghole) - remedied and she fired right up.  I then remembered that if I ever changed the oil, it was back in 2019 when I picked her up.  Opened the drain and I'll be damned if the Stones themselves could paint that slop any more black.  Filled w/ 30W and refired.

 

I then thought ok as long as I'm on my knees for this woman, might as well take a peek between her legs.  Thinking she'd need a good enema, I had diesel and ATF at the ready.  Popped the dipstick and hot damn... pure honey!  I really can't remember changing the tranny oil so I will chalk it up to the PO changing it at some point.  It shifts fine and other than a few bubbles which I'm guessing were from it sloshing around, does not appear to have any water on the stick (she is stored in the shed).  I took some pics anyway... what say you guys?  Change it, or send it?

 

Thanks!

[oliver2-44 11,483]

Check that transmission oil after it has run in gear awhile. The crud very well could have settled out over several years.

[8ntruck 8,868]

I'm guilty of old oil in my transmission as well - it has been a good 6 or 7 years, maybe more.  Still clean.  A change is on my to do list sometime this summer.

 

But, I've run across a couple of articles about old oil.  Seems that the additive packages  (things to improve extreme pressure performance, viscosity additives, etc) in the oil have a shelf life.  After a period of time, the additives don't remain blended with the oil properly.

 

I'm going to say that a change of transmission oil every couple three years would be a good idea.

Edited 3 hours ago by 8ntruck

[giantsean 59]

Thanks.. I was kind of excited to give it a flush, thinking it was far worse.  But I'll drive it a bit and see how it looks as advised.

 

The other thing I can't wrap my head around... why does the drain plug angle UP?  Feels like there is a whole void in there that will never properly drain.

[cleat 8,980]

There is a drain plug on the bottom of the transmission to get all the oil out provided you lift the front of the tractor.

 

[giantsean 59]

Ahhh... got it.  They really needed more photos in the 10,000 different manuals they published

 

In that case, what in fact is this plug for?

 

[mrc 1,076]

giantsean,

 

tranny oil looks ok. 

but, when in doubt...change it out. 

2 quarts of gear oil is cheap insurance for your tranny.