t-case/center diff filled with ATF!?!?

[jcollett]

just drained center diff/t-case on my D1 for the first time since i've owned it.... pulled the drain plug and ATF came pouring out!?!?? WTF?! is this right for the 96 D1??? i have no D1 owners manual, but the owners manual for my D2 calls for the same gear oil as the front and rear diffs --> did some f*ck up put ATF in the center diff/t-case by mistake

my D1 is sitting in the garage with an empty center diff... so, is it ATF or gear oil??? HELP!!!

 

[Joey]

My '97 Disco calls for the same gear oil in the center diff and it does the front and rear. Just got done doing it last week.... 90/140 Lucas Diff lube.

 

[Red90]

It is supposed to by gear oil, 85W/90. The ATF won't hurt anything though. If you are somewhere that gets cold use a 75W90, at least. You shouldn't use a heavy oil such as the 90W-140 mentioned above.

 

[Joey]

You shouldn't use a heavy oil such as the 90W-140 mentioned above.

Maybe not, but with two tanks of gas through it I have averaged 17 mpg. Not to bad for running it 70 - 75 mph through WV mountains and around these slow curvy back state roads I live on. Just so you know prior to changing out the gear oil I was averaging 15 mpg.

All with 2 inch lift and 245-75-16 tires. And no I don't baby my Disco, I tend to drive it hard.

 

[gardrover]

The 90W-140 really isn't for cold climates, right? I'm gonna be changing mine soon and I thought that 85W-90 was the way to go seeing as LR reccomends it. Is Lucas that much better?

 

[Tom in MD]

ATF ?? WTF !!

 

[Joey]

I guess it is more of a preference thing, I like lucas oil products, so I run them. Some people like Amsoil, others like Quacker State. Each has there own preference and will recommend their own ideas as to why one is better than the others, I just like the lucas products, because in the 15 or so years that I have been using them, they have not let me down.

 

[bri]

I have never heard of ATF in a disco transfercase, but in is common on other trucks.

Probably didn't do too much damage if it was not in there for long.

 

[MUSKYMAN]

sounds like another messed up moment compliments of jiffy lube

but I would check the trans level now

 

[jcollett]

sounds like another messed up moment compliments of jiffy lube

but I would check the trans level now

trans level is fine - that is the first thing that came to my mind - "holy shit, am i an idiot?"

as for how long it has been in there, i have driven 6K miles on it, and who knows how long before that... my question is, how the hell could some f*ck up drain gear oil out of the center diff, then refill it with ATF?? the magnet on the drain plug was overwhelmed with metal shavings ...guess it is my fault for not checking it out

probably start shopping for a center diff soon.... shit...

 

[bri]

trans level is fine - that is the first thing that came to my mind - "holy shit, am i an idiot?"

as for how long it has been in there, i have driven 6K miles on it, and who knows how long before that... my question is, how the hell could some f*ck up drain gear oil out of the center diff, then refill it with ATF?? the magnet on the drain plug was overwhelmed with metal shavings ...guess it is my fault for not checking it out

probably start shopping for a center diff soon.... shit...

I would drain and fill it a couple of times in a week or two. Then let it be for a while and see how bad the shavings are. Mine has shavings, but I would not call it overwhelmed.

You never know it could be fine.

 

[Iron Boots]

Sounds like they were looking at the RRC spec for 1989 and up...the BW case specs ATF...

As an aside, the BW case can be run with gear lube as well....Many porsche guys running the C4 turbos with over 600hp are running the same BW viscous diff with gear lube as opposed to the ATF. The gear lube provides more positive reults in the case...but I digress...

 

[jmoore]

Aren't some amsoil products red in color? Maybe I'm thinking of another manufactor of a syn gear oil.