Oh B****r. Irridescent Oil (Again)

[Muzz]

So, about 3000 miles ago Steamdriven and myself replaced the pre-selector fork in my gearbox when it jammed up. The oil had done about 2000 miles since the major rebuild after Luigi buggered up the hardening on fifth gear, and when we drained it the oil was spotless. I changed the fluids on the scheduled mileage and did the gearbox oil as well. It looked ok as it came out, but when I checked in the sunlight it definitely had a metallic sheen in it. I have been running a semi-synthetic in it since the first catastrophe.

At this stage I don't intend to rip it down AGAIN!!!! My thoughts are to change the oil mid way through the regular schedule to keep any bearing damage to a minimum, and see if it perhaps "beds in", or else self destructs.

Any thoughts?

[pete roper]

Was it drained warm? Are you sure it's not just aerated. Leave it in the drain pan overnight, then pout off the top bit. If it leaves behind a clusterf*ck of metal? Then go in again.

Pete

[Muzz]

Was it drained warm? Are you sure it's not just aerated. Leave it in the drain pan overnight, then pout off the top bit. If it leaves behind a clusterf*ck of metal? Then go in again.

Pete

Yeah, drained warm. Just seemed metallic in the sun. I have already dumped it Pete. I'll do the 2-3000 miles and then do as you suggest. It was very fine; might have been just air. <shrug> Will do as you suggest the next change.

Incidentally. is the drain plug magnetic on the gearbox. There was nothing on the plug at all.

[pete roper]

Stop worrying. If it's awful next time? Worry then! Bloody Kiwis!

Pete

[Chuck in Indiana]

If you look for trouble in an old machine, you will find it. Even if it's not there.. Can't say I've ever looked at my transmission fluid in the sun.

[Muzz]

If you look for trouble in an old machine, you will find it. Even if it's not there.. Can't say I've ever looked at my transmission fluid in the sun.

Unfortunately Chuck, the machine had not done many miles at all when it first turned to a pile of munt. Even Pete said "no idea" as to how the throat on the 4th gear selector fork could be badly chewed by the teeth of the gear when I showed him. Broken studs, hardening fallen of 5th; Luigi had had a field day.

The second time the "non jam" Mk11 model of the pre-selector fork jammed.

Paranoia? Probably.

[CalVin2007]

  If you look at gearbox oil in the bright sunlight it will look like it's full of diamond flake. Just the way it is...and I've done it forever and always see enough to seem alarming. No ferrous stuff on the magnet is good...ride on,Muzz...and may the wind be always at your back.

  Terry

[Doppelgaenger]

Incidentally. is the drain plug magnetic on the gearbox. There was nothing on the plug at all.

Yes it is. I just did mine and there was what looked like metal shavings on it, but when I wiped it with a shop towel it smeared like pencil lead so just fine metal particles that were caught by the magnet. If you have nothing on it you should be fine.