Xfer case fluid

[agallant]

I have a 2000 XLT and accadently drained the xfer case fluid. Does any one know what i need to put back in to it? Is it gear oil? does it need to be synthetic? It was really thin so is it ATF fluid? and yes i am positiave that it was the xfer case i drained.

Thanks

-AG

 

[Blee1099]

You need Mercon transmission fluid.

 

[agallant]

So is there a filter that i should change as well? Also is there a chance that it will die like a transmission when you change the fluid?

 

[Blee1099]

So is there a filter that i should change as well? Also is there a chance that it will die like a transmission when you change the fluid?

There is no filter. There is a drain plug & a fill plug on top of the transfer case.

 

[nascar_intimid]

the reason trannys die after fluid change is the new fluid has scrubbing agents in it to keep the parts clean and after so many miles the tranny obviously wears but with the new scrubbing agents in it it wears a hundred times faster...old fluid agents are worn out and there is a buffer zone between the fluid and the moving parts because of the plates particles( although tiny micron size) . IMO tranny fluid should never be changed as it is a hydraulic fluid and hydraulic fluid never wears out...but change your tranny fluid with the new scrubbing agents in it and your tranny will wear out hundred times faster...my experience!!

 

[VOATMJ1]

the reason trannys die after fluid change is the new fluid has scrubbing agents in it to keep the parts clean and after so many miles the tranny obviously wears but with the new scrubbing agents in it it wears a hundred times faster...old fluid agents are worn out and there is a buffer zone between the fluid and the moving parts because of the plates particles( although tiny micron size) . IMO tranny fluid should never be changed as it is a hydraulic fluid and hydraulic fluid never wears out...but change your tranny fluid with the new scrubbing agents in it and your tranny will wear out hundred times faster...my experience!!

Ok guys, let's hear the pros and cons of this statement. I have never heard of this, but if true, my tranny fluid change days are over.

 

[Blee1099]

the reason trannys die after fluid change is the new fluid has scrubbing agents in it to keep the parts clean and after so many miles the tranny obviously wears but with the new scrubbing agents in it it wears a hundred times faster...old fluid agents are worn out and there is a buffer zone between the fluid and the moving parts because of the plates particles( although tiny micron size) . IMO tranny fluid should never be changed as it is a hydraulic fluid and hydraulic fluid never wears out...but change your tranny fluid with the new scrubbing agents in it and your tranny will wear out hundred times faster...my experience!!

I would have to disagree. I change my transmission fluid once a year and change my transfer case fluid atleast once a year depending on how much mud & water I play in. Even though I have extended all my breathers, I still do it. I have over 136,000 miles on the original transmission and have yet experienced any problems other than a faulty pump seal. The newer transmission fluid, the Mercon V is far superior to the old standard Mercon III. Transmission fluid does heat up and after heating up & cooling down numerous times, the lubrication qualities of the fluid are diminished severly. I've seen transmission with no regular fluid changes go bad before the 100,000 mile mark. Some people say the flushes cause problems due the pressure exerted on the lines when they are flushed. I haven't seen one failure due to it personally.

 

[Jonny813]

Mercon Dextron III - Automatic Transmission Fluid... Well thats what the spec's page on this site tells me(And the guy from Discout Auto Parts). I just changed mine tonight... My jack died on me so I couldn't lift it(and it was already drained). So I had to take a hand siphon pump and hand pump some back in since I couldnt pour into a funnel cause of the angle.... What a pain in the ass that was...

I was just about to post a question after doing this... Is there any way our cars can lose power due to a dirty Xfer case/fluid or lack of... Right after I refilled it and fired it up and while driving back home it felt "better"... It definately ran smoother but maybe it was just so much smoother that it felt like it gained some power back... I don't see how it would lose/gain power but I felt something different.

Thanks...

 

[nascar_intimid]

tranny fluid

I would have to disagree. I change my transmission fluid once a year and change my transfer case fluid atleast once a year depending on how much mud & water I play in. Even though I have extended all my breathers, I still do it. I have over 136,000 miles on the original transmission and have yet experienced any problems other than a faulty pump seal. The newer transmission fluid, the Mercon V is far superior to the old standard Mercon III. Transmission fluid does heat up and after heating up & cooling down numerous times, the lubrication qualities of the fluid are diminished severly. I've seen transmission with no regular fluid changes go bad before the 100,000 mile mark. Some people say the flushes cause problems due the pressure exerted on the lines when they are flushed. I haven't seen one failure due to it personally.

^^^^ I've seen 450,000 (miles) on a transmission with no fluid change...my brothers 91 ex. but he had dual coolers. I'm not saying not to change your fluid but if you new hydraulic fluid NEVER changes it's composition you would know that changing your fluid is mainly a gimmick put out by manufacturers(big $). If you do WANT to change your fluid...every 2-3 years is suffice...I've worked in the automechanic industry all my life and I have the experience and knowledge to say that with conviction...everyone does what they want anyway it's whatever you feel in your guts..but this is just a tidbit of info for all you people who are mislead or misunderstood about tranny fluids...it's a fluid not an oil, it never breaks down at all check the compostion of the fluids

 

[Blee1099]

^^^^ I've seen 450,000 (miles) on a transmission with no fluid change...my brothers 91 ex. but he had dual coolers. I'm not saying not to change your fluid but if you new hydraulic fluid NEVER changes it's composition you would know that changing your fluid is mainly a gimmick put out by manufacturers(big $). If you do WANT to change your fluid...every 2-3 years is suffice...I've worked in the automechanic industry all my life and I have the experience and knowledge to say that with conviction...everyone does what they want anyway it's whatever you feel in your guts..but this is just a tidbit of info for all you people who are mislead or misunderstood about tranny fluids...it's a fluid not an oil, it never breaks down at all check the compostion of the fluids

I change mine more frequently cause I drive in Washington, DC traffic and not to mention I am hard on my truck.

 

[Lloyd10977]

the reason trannys die after fluid change is the new fluid has scrubbing agents in it to keep the parts clean and after so many miles the tranny obviously wears but with the new scrubbing agents in it it wears a hundred times faster...old fluid agents are worn out and there is a buffer zone between the fluid and the moving parts because of the plates particles( although tiny micron size) . IMO tranny fluid should never be changed as it is a hydraulic fluid and hydraulic fluid never wears out...but change your tranny fluid with the new scrubbing agents in it and your tranny will wear out hundred times faster...my experience!!

I was the maintainer (not the chief driver! ) of a 1990 Mazda MPV. The transmission was replaced at 40,000 miles and from that point on I replaced fluid and filter regularly. That transmission pulled a camping trailer for over 10 years and was still pulling strong when the vehicle was sold in 2003 at a total accumulated mileage of 260,000. I, for one, will change my fluids.

 

[blueox]

Wrong.......

the reason trannys die after fluid change is the new fluid has scrubbing agents in it to keep the parts clean and after so many miles the tranny obviously wears but with the new scrubbing agents in it it wears a hundred times faster...old fluid agents are worn out and there is a buffer zone between the fluid and the moving parts because of the plates particles( although tiny micron size) . IMO tranny fluid should never be changed as it is a hydraulic fluid and hydraulic fluid never wears out...but change your tranny fluid with the new scrubbing agents in it and your tranny will wear out hundred times faster...my experience!!

You're only going to get that type of build-up if you don't change the fluid regularly. If you bought an explorer or any vehicle and you suspect someone wasn't changing the fluid (50,000 miles or so) you may not want to change the fluid especially if it is burnt to hell because it may have an excess of deposits and changing the fluid may finish off a tranny that is already toast.

Hydraulic fluid never wears out??? I don't remember that being a physical constant of liquids......Water is a hydraulic fluid......I wouldn't recommend placing water in your tranny. I am not trying to break your balls but you are making standard ATF fluid sound like flubber!!!

 

[smiley1]

My 68 firebird's trans was rebuilt in 1989. It still has the same tranny fluid (Yes its an auto) from 1989. It is a daly driver and runs great.

Make of it what you will. My father gave this car to me in 1992. I asked him the last time he had the trans fluid changed. He scratched his head and said "oh $h!t." I decided to see how long it would last as I want to put an overdrive tranny in it and I cant seem to kill it!!! Still going strong.

 

[nascar_intimid]

heat kills a tranny not lack of fluid changes...but to each his own,what ever works for you...for those who don't change your tranny fluid ever don't worry at all you'll be fine as is millions of other drivers are o.k. remember heat kills a tranny,put a dual cooler in line and you will get a better response from her all the way around....

 

[Jonny813]

Well, with all that is being said about Trans Fluid never going bad... Does that mean Transfer Case fluid doesnt have to be changed? And what about Power Steering Fluid? I'm still learning about the mechanics of cars, but if what you guys are saying is true... It sounds like Powersteering fluid never has to be changed(hydralic fluid)? Im just throwing out questions... and last time I went into a shop they told me my powersteering fluid should be changed cause it was SO dirty. Although my power steering pump is making some noise so I may have to drain and replace the pump later as well.

 

[nascar_intimid]

power steering fluid,brake fluid, plow cylinder fluid,xsfer case fluid,tranny fluid.....will never wear out in a million years!!! hydraulic fluid is CLEAR when after being refined and the colors you see after that are from additives such as red in tranny fluid from scrubbing agents, power steering fluid and brake fluids are brownish because they lack the scrubbing agents but most are clear. Don't ever take one persons word on these matters ask around ( ask a dealer and they will sell ice to an eskimo)!! talk to the older mechanics who know what's what and have tons of experience.

 

[blueox]

power steering fluid,brake fluid, plow cylinder fluid,xsfer case fluid,tranny fluid.....will never wear out in a million years!!! hydraulic fluid is CLEAR when after being refined and the colors you see after that are from additives such as red in tranny fluid from scrubbing agents, power steering fluid and brake fluids are brownish because they lack the scrubbing agents but most are clear. Don't ever take one persons word on these matters ask around ( ask a dealer and they will sell ice to an eskimo)!! talk to the older mechanics who know what's what and have tons of experience.

It does WEAR out by it's inability to get rid of contaminates such as water, dirt, metal, etc....

Oxidization and

Oh well kiddies do what you will. A suggestion would be if you still live at home with Mom and Dad and they basically pay for your transportation........change the fluid cause good ole pop will kick your ass if he finds out he needs to drop a grand to have your newly destroyed toy rebuilt.

But once you graduate and build up lots of real world experience you can choose if the real world of physics will dictate 400,000 mile fluid change intervals.

 

[smiley1]

It does WEAR out by it's inability to get rid of contaminates such as water, dirt, metal, etc....

Metal I understand, but when does water or dirt enter a trans in your real world experience. Do you drive around with you dip stick sticking somewhere it doesn’t belong?

On a serious note. I have two newer vehicles that are changed according to the manual. HOWEVER, I have this anomaly of a 68 bird with original tranny fluid from 89 which drives like new. Go figure this real world experience out.

Oh well kiddies do what you will. A suggestion would be if you still live at home with Mom and Dad and they basically pay for your transportation........change the fluid cause good ole pop will kick your ass if he finds out he needs to drop a grand to have your newly destroyed toy rebuilt.

But once you graduate and build up lots of real world experience you can choose if the real world of physics will dictate 400,000 mile fluid change intervals.

Im sorry, but that is the most immature excerpt I have ever read on this forum. This thread was constructive until you posted this condescension. I hope it was in jest.

 

[blueox]

Metal I understand, but when does water or dirt enter a trans in your real world experience. Do you drive around with you dip stick sticking somewhere it doesn’t belong?

On a serious note. I have two newer vehicles that are changed according to the manual. HOWEVER, I have this anomaly of a 68 bird with original tranny fluid from 89 which drives like new. Go figure this real world experience out.



Im sorry, but that is the most immature excerpt I have ever read on this forum. This thread was constructive until you posted this condescension. I hope it was in jest.

Actually I was being serious.

Good luck with your "68" bird.

 

[nascar_intimid]

Of the some hundred and change tranny's I have taken apart at mr. transmission...I have yet to take one apart (excluding the pan and magnet) that had any signs of dirt or contaminates in it. The parts that were broken were broken from stress or part failure such as a valve failure due to repeated use and weakening springs holding the solonoid in place that holds the pressure plates together...you see it is a chain reaction from a 2 dollar part that wears out...and nothing will help that 2 dollar part because it is fabricated to last about as long as it does...new fluid holds a better reaction time because of the scrubbing agents (removing the buffer zone of tiny particles) but will wear out other parts very quickly. talk to people that have never changed their fluid and see what they have to say. I used to work at a tranny shop and I never change my fluid I have learned my lesson a long time ago...ask a tranny shop guy if he changes his and he will say yes because he wants your business but behind closed doors they talk to each other and say I would never change my fluid I am just asking for trouble....they know what's what