Contaminated Gear Oil

[Tupperville]

Pulled the threaded plug on my transmission housing to check the gear oil.

I was expecting the level to be down then I would just top it up.

Instead a light brown fluid starting coming out so I grabbed a mason jar to get a sample.

The mechanic next door told me I had water in my gear oil.

He also told me water is heavier than gear oil and to expect water to come out when I pull the drain plug.

Never checked the differental oil as I wanted to deal with this first.

The mechanic asked me a few questions about where the water may have come from but since I only became the new owner a few months ago Paul said to change it and monitor it.

 

[Sean in PA]

All of the fluid sumps in those tractors are vented to the outside air, and the water inside generally comes from condensation. When the tractor is run things heat up and when it cools off after running the humidity in the air condenses inside above the oil line. If the tractor is worked hard often enough it gets hot enough to evaporate the condensed water, but if it's only worked lightly over and over, it never heats up enough to evaporate the water, but it gets warm enough that each time it cools down, more humidity condenses, and if you don't change the oil often enough it ends up looking like that. So work it hard enough to get it hot enough to drive out the water, or change the fluid more often.

 

[Tupperville]

The distance to the fluid with the threaded cap off is out six-seven inches.

I used one of those giant q-tips from a bag of them I bought at the dollar store.

I looked down the hole and it seemed like a fair distance.

I also need to know if the differential and transmision share the same gear oil or are they separate compartments.

 

[a49deere]

The distance to the fluid with the threaded cap off is out six-seven inches.

I used one of those giant q-tips from a bag of them I bought at the dollar store.

I looked down the hole and it seemed like a fair distance.

I also need to know if the differential and transmision share the same gear oil or are they separate compartments.

what tractor are you working on?

 

[Tupperville]

what tractor are you working on?

1975 Ford 3000 Gas.

Going to the farm tomorrow and checking the differential level but do intend on changing everything.

I just have to check the specs and see how much oil I need.

My uncle just told me they call it 80-90 gear oil.

Sometimes Canadian Tire has oil on sale for huge savings.

 

[a49deere]

transmission and rear axle are separate compartments! there will be different opinions on the types of oil. The rear end is going to need hydraulic oil, and this same oil (IMHO) can be used in the transmission also, makes shifting easier in cold weather. Other will chime in! There should be a pipe plug right by your big toe as your sitting on tractor. Fill until oil comes out, about 3.5 gal.

 

[Tupperville]

Fair enough, I buy four 5 litre jugs for the differential.

The tractor data website has six gallons for the differential but four 5 litre may do it.

Transmission 12.5 litre. (three 5 litre jugs).

 

[Sean in PA]

Don't put gear oil in the rear axle where the differential is. That area is also the reservoir for the 3 point hydraulic fluid. Gear oil would be too thick for the hydraulic system, especially in colder weather. You need yo use a fluid that at least meets the original fluid specification. It needs to be light enough for the hydraulic system and have the Extreme Pressure (EP) characteristics to be able to cling to the mating surfaces in the gear teeth of the differential. Most good fluids labelled UTF (Universal Tractor/Transmission Fluid) will work fine. If you want to be sure look on the label to see if it meets or exceeds the Ford/New Holland M2C134D specifications. If you want to just stock one fluid, you can use the UTF in the transmission also.

 

[Tupperville]

​

The store has:

Certified Transmission/Differential Hydraulic Fluid, 18.9-L​

It would appear this product will cover everything or I can just use it in the differential and use the above 80-90 product in the transmission.

Today I put the 80-90 product in the transmission and come back to this site tonight to clarify.

All is good the store opens at 9 am.

The other farm equipment supplies store opens tomorrow and has UTF if I decide to go that route.

 

[560Dennis]

You really need to put in the correct oil in that transmission differential that the owners manual calls out for it.
If you have bronze plain bearings in there you do not want 80/90 gl4/5 oil in there.
You will need mineral oil gl1 sae 90 .
Look like wrong oil and water
.

 

[Sean in PA]

Also, the seals between the trans and rear axle housing are known to leak some on those old tractors, so most folks use the UTF in both to avoid cross contamination.

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

Small pipe plug on the right side is the level check. There's a little screw just below it. DON'T take it out but make sure it's tight. It has a plastic seal washer under the head and is below the fluid level. Use an oil that meets the 134-something spec. Same oil goes in the transmission. Many will have gear lube there too.

 

[Tupperville]

Also, the seals between the trans and rear axle housing are known to leak some on those old tractors, so most folks use the UTF in both to avoid cross contamination.

corrosion on the copper ring seal has been removed and cleaned.

 

[sotxbill]

The 3000 calls for UTF in both housings as others have pointed out. So you dont starve the hyd pump in cold weather. Also UTF will by design, keep the water in suspension, where the 80-90 will not. Also the 80-90 can make pto and wet tractor brakes slip badly where the UTF will not. But you dont have those components till you get to the 4000 and bigger tractors. Universal Tractor Hydraulic Fluid. TS will have this on sale about twice a year and you can save about $10 over the normal price. . https://www.external_link.com/tsc/p...utility-tractor-fluid-5-gal-vp2040114-1520985

 

[Jim.ME]

The 3000 calls for UTF in both housings as others have pointed out. So you dont starve the hyd pump in cold weather. Also UTF will by design, keep the water in suspension, where the 80-90 will not. Also the 80-90 can make pto and wet tractor brakes slip badly where the UTF will not. But you dont have those components till you get to the 4000 and bigger tractors. Universal Tractor Hydraulic Fluid. TS will have this on sale about twice a year and you can save about $10 over the normal price. . https://www.external_link.com/tsc/p...utility-tractor-fluid-5-gal-vp2040114-1520985

I wish all members would add a general location to their profiles. Tupperville is in Canada, so Tractor Supply Company (TSC) info doesn't do him much good, since they don't operate in Canada. The location could help when prices are quoted as well and identifying suppliers that are in or will ship to Canada, and other locations. It can help even in the States to give ideas on close by sources when someone is looking for something. Just my 2 cents.

The site will not accept links to sites the software is programed to see as competitors, thus your TSC will not work. There are a number of other sites that are blocked. That is why "external_link.com" shows up instead of the intended site in a posted link like yours. YT's site YT's rules, the same way it has been for years.

Edited to correct spelling

 

[Sean in PA]

This site must have added more sites to their "competitors" list recently. I used to be able to link to TSC's web site, but the last time I did was at least 3 years ago.

 

[Tupperville]

This site must have added more sites to their "competitors" list recently. I used to be able to link to TSC's web site, but the last time I did was at least 3 years ago.

"TSC" became "Peavy Mart" or something like that up here in Canada.

The last one I drove by was closed and the windows papered over.

When I first saw the "Peavy Mart" sign I thought maybe they sold Knitting supplies.

Also "Princess Auto" a company who originated in Winnipeg, Canada came to town with everything TSC sold and more.

 

[Tupperville]

I tried to update my profile and add my location but can't.

Very few American businesses no longer ship to Canada and many Canadian businesses no longer ship to the u.s.

Only a fool would buy something then wait for the bill from customs.

 

[Jim.ME]

I tried to update my profile and add my location but can't.

Very few American businesses no longer ship to Canada and many Canadian businesses no longer ship to the u.s.

Only a fool would buy something then wait for the bill from customs.

The location slot found in your Account Settings would not accept a location? If it did let you enter your location, did you click save at the bottom of that page?

Many oils/fluids list what they comply with on the label. Others you can ask the supplier/seller for a product data sheet, not the material safety sheet, and they should get you a copy, it should list the manufacturer specs it is supposed to meet.

 

[Tupperville]

The transmission gear oil change went well, took two 5 litre jugs and 1/3 of another.

I bought three jugs of MotoMaster 80W90 Extreme Pressure Gear Oil, 5-L

I don't know what the "extreme pressure" means but the uncle who been farming all his life said 80-90 gear oil.

$62.99 CAD dollars each so it must be good.

Tomorrow maybe top up the rear end.