wheelwhores 107 #1 Posted May 19, 2020 All, changing the 10w30 trans fluid in my c175 hydro. Couple observations, the oil was still a light brown but had a milky color to it instead of clear....normal? Any problem with using a mobile 1 synthetic versus a conventional for this purpose? Finally, manual say 5 quarts, but i let it drain for a day and even lifted the front axel and only got about 3.5 quarts of our it (haven't removed filter yet) don't know if it was just super low or if that is normal?...i thought i had checked the level a few months ago and it was within range...maybe i was mistaken. I'm hoping as the weather warms up in the next few weeks to get here out in the driveway and give her a very good degreasing bath, she has tons of caked on oil/or other fluid all over the engine bay and underside...i've only noticed a very small intermitten hydro fluid leak at the deck raise/lower piston, so not sure yet where all the grime came from. One guess is the oil drain tube and not the cap wanted to back out on me when i was changing the oil last, i'm hoping whoever changed it before had the same problem and that is why the bottom half of the engine is coated with grime/oil...to be continued i guess. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,916 #2 Posted May 19, 2020 Any milky color means water in it. Watch out for getting water back in it after a bath, especially with a power washer. I like to give them that bath first then fluid change. I use the syn with no problems. They say it does better in cold weather. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
71_Bronco 1,072 #3 Posted May 19, 2020 I'm due to change the fluid in my 3-speed. I changed it when I got it and it came out looking like chocolate milk. I ran the cheap walmart gear oil, as I am just trying to flush it out. not sure if it's synthetic or not. I've also heard that synthetic is better in colder weather, so that may be a factor for you. I will eventually use synthetic once I get mine sorted out as I use my tractor to plow my driveway, and it will see cold-weather use. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,714 #4 Posted May 19, 2020 3.5 to 4qts on a change is not unreasonable. 5 qts only if system is completely drained. Did you raise the front of the tractor when you drained there is a hump in the bottom of the transaxle traps a bit of oil in the front part. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,916 #5 Posted May 19, 2020 44 minutes ago, wheelwhores said: but i let it drain for a day and even lifted the front axel Says he did Paul. You may want to use a cheaper oil and then change it and the filter again to Mob 1 after some run time. This would be a lot cheaper than having problems down the road. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wheelwhores 107 #6 Posted May 19, 2020 Thanks! So you guys are saying use a trash 10w30 to flush the system of any junk/water and then put in the synthetic after a few laps around the neighborhood? I actually got a screamin deal on 5 quarts of mob1 from napa for around $15 after vets discount and a promo they were running (bought 2), i may just run that for a year and change it again. i plowed all winter with it with no issues so i can't imagine fresh oil with a little residue is going to get me any more problems than i had going in...thoughts? Do you guys change the tranny fluid yearly assuming you mower summers and plow winters? SIDE QUESTION: How do i get invited to the BlackHoods Club? Also, how do i get one of those fancy service branch medallions at the bottom of my profile like you guys have? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 51,916 #7 Posted May 19, 2020 1 minute ago, wheelwhores said: trash 10w30 to flush the system of any junk/water and then put in the synthetic after a few laps around the neighborhood? Precisely .. then regular changes per the manual which says once a year or every hundred hours 10 minutes ago, wheelwhores said: invited to the BlackHoods Club? Right click on anyone's and save it to your computer then go to your profile and add it in the signature line. Simple as that. If you are a vet you are also entitled to your branch insignia. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wheelwhores 107 #8 Posted May 19, 2020 18 minutes ago, WHX24 said: Precisely .. then regular changes per the manual which says once a year or every hundred hours Right click on anyone's and save it to your computer then go to your profile and add it in the signature line. Simple as that. If you are a vet you are also entitled to your branch insignia. got the blackhood figured out, how do i get the mil member and branch insig under my user name and not in the footer under the message text? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
