weird breather in gearbox - end of story :)

[bmcecosse]

No flushing! Just new oil - and let the old stuff drip out overnight to make sure it all comes out. Remember - engine oil - ideally 10W40 for best fuel economy(easier for the gears to spin) , or 20W50 if you think the box is a bit 'worn'.

[wibble_puppy]

If a previous owner "just drilled a hole" I'd be concerned about swarf inside the box

Just removed the drain plug, and there was indeed a small amount of suspicious metallic swarfy debris in the hollow of the plug.

[alex_holden]

Could be bits of chipped gearteeth. What you really don't want to see come out with the oil is any large lumps - whole teeth, ball bearings, rollers, etc.

[wibble_puppy]

nope - only teeny teeny shards and powdery stuff.

[jonathon]

sawdust

[bmcecosse]

Banana skins

[wibble_puppy]

pangolins

[rayofleamington]

Just removed the drain plug, and there was indeed a small amount of suspicious metallic swarfy debris in the hollow of the plug.

usually chipped dog teeth from the synchro hubs, bearing surfaces, bits from the bearing cages, bits of synchro cone, bits from the end of the shift forks, worn bits from where the detent plungers rub etc...
On expensive gearboxes it's a GOOD idea to have a sump plug magnet - yellow metals and aluminium alloy swarf are not as harmfull as the sharp and hard steel debris.

[jonathon]

Nah ! this little fella wouldnt fit in your gearbox<br><br>

[wibble_puppy]

nice pic, J

thanks for the tip, ray

update on story (and hopefully the end of the story):

On my journey up to the frozen north recently the gearbox dumped all its oil out through this little breather. Broke the journey halfway and had to refill the gearbox in the youth hostel carpark - had excellent fun getting the fill plug out

So on arrival at Alex's place he hoiked the breather out, we cleaned up the hole carefully, and he plugged it with chemical metal. Oh, and he gave me a new fill plug and drain plug, because mine were a bit mangled during my battles (cheers, mate ). No problems since *touches wooden leg*

Here's Alex with the offending article:
<br><br>

[bmcecosse]

Hmm - well it's nice to have a happy ending - but don't understand why it dumped the oil out. There really shouldn't be any pressure in the box. And of course - why was it there in the first place !!?

[wibble_puppy]

Well, as we know all too well from the brakes saga, this van is actually possessed

[bmcecosse]

Ghostbusters - where are you ???????????????

[wibble_puppy]

Seriously.... if anyone has Bill Murray's phone number.....

[aupickup]

USA 123 666

[alex_holden]

Hmm - well it's nice to have a happy ending - but don't understand why it dumped the oil out. There really shouldn't be any pressure in the box.

I think the oil must get thrown around inside the box when the shafts are turning.

And of course - why was it there in the first place !!?

Haven't a clue. The best idea we could come up with was some kind of remote filler pipe (which had got lost during the rebuild).

[rayofleamington]

I think the oil must get thrown around inside the box when the shafts are turning.

they are designed that way - so that the gears act like a low pressure pump to distribute the oil.

[les]

Is that a magnifying glass instead of a wing mirror on page two!!?

[alex_holden]

Is that a magnifying glass instead of a wing mirror on page two!!?

No. You can see the reflection of the passenger seat in it!

[les]

You thought I was serious!!