Grey Gearbox Oil?

[r5gordini]

Hi all,

Never seen this before. The oil in a gearbox I just drained was dirty grey in colour. Any thoughts as to why that might be? Is the 'box likely to be junk?

Thanks,

Andrew

 

[sparkie]

on some of my old gt turbos this has happened.
its metal fragments ground up into particles. - they settle in the oil drainer, kinda like the surface of a brain. lol
the box won't be fubar'd though. it'll still have life in it- assuming it was working ok, before you drained it.

 

[Mark]

Hi all,

Never seen this before. The oil in a gearbox I just drained was dirty grey in colour. Any thoughts as to why that might be? Is the 'box likely to be junk?

Thanks,

Andrew

Previous oil additive, ie. slick 50? If you still have the old oil, trying circulating a magnet in it, see if it picks up any shiney bits?

 

[r5gordini]

Yup... It's out of a car that was driving before. It seemed to work ok when I last drove the car, but the gear lever bushes were entirely missing so it was hard to tell whether the 'box felt worn or not!

I'm doing an engine swap and it's just a gamble as to whether I can trust the 'box or not. I don't want to have to swap 'boxes unless I have to. Also, I don't fancy having to pull it all out again shortly after installing the engine and 'box in a car! I believe the clutch is ok...

Andrew

 

[gtturbogordini]

I've just split 2 gearboxes and made one up with the best feeling and looking parts from both.

One was seazed up and the other from a high mileage car

The box is back in and feels loads better.

Don't be scared to open it to take a look. It's not too difficult

 

[r5gordini]

OK - it's not a Gordini box so is even easier to look into - just whip the top off!

I think I'll do that.

I will report what I find!

Thanks,

Andrew

 

[r5gordini]

OK - I took the lid off. It didn't look too bad. Reverse gear was worn, but other than that it didn't look too bad. Just decided to use it anyway.

It's now in the car - I've done a complete engine/box swap. I can't believe how much work a simple engine swap is! Balljoints, steering rack,etc...

The box feels ok but 2nd gear synchromesh is a little weak. It also feels a lot more "sloppy" than the box I took out, which is a lot lower mileage. I couldn't easily have put the original box back in the car - the speedo cable broke off when I tried to remove it!

Does anyone have experience of removing a broken speed cable from a gearbox?

Thanks,

Andrew

 

[gtturbogordini]

If it's the same as the gordini / turbo version the speedo cable plugs into a plastic barrell type thing, with the speedo gear on one end and a square cable connector on the outside.

You have to undo the retaining bolt from the case of the gearbox. and you should be able to prize the barrel out, sometimes it can be hard to get out and is easier to work from the inside out. Be careful not to damage it tho or the plastic gear. It should slide straight out complete. And then get your decent one and slide it back in. there is a rubber o ring around it to seal it.

Sounds complicated. but it's easy as long as it comes out relatively easy.