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- #41
So the dirty girl has been driving pretty good lately. I’ve been running small errands in it each day. Perhaps it’s my imagination (or wishful thinking) but it seems to drive a little better / smoother by the day.
In the meantime I’ve been working my way through all the fluid changes these last few weeks. Here are a few observations:
- Engine Oil - <1.5 quarts came out. 8 quarts went in (-w- filter change). The drain plug had a steady drip so I have a feeling that the plug leak depleted the reservoir while it was sitting all those years. I’ve observed no smoke whatsoever during start up or while driving so I don’t think it’s burning any. After finally finding the correct crush washer (thanks @cruisermatt) for the drain plug washer part number, the drip has been eliminated. (BTW in case you were worried, the engine oil was changed weeks ago immediately after purchase. I haven’t been driving it with low oil.)
- Transfer Case - <2 quarts came out. >2 quarts went in. Oil was darkish but not milky or rusty. Very little metal sediment on the drain plug magnet.
- Rear differential - <2 quarts came out. >2.5 quarts went in. Oil was darkish but not milky or rusty. Very little metal sediment on the drain plug magnet.
- Front differential - <2 quarts came out. >2.5 quarts went in. Oil was dark greenish and thick with a slight milky tinge. Very little metal sediment on the drain plug magnet.
Below are pictures showing the difference between the front and rear differentials. I’m glad I got to the front one when I did. I’m wondering if some water got in there. Or is that perhaps knuckle grease?
If that is knuckle grease mixed in, which rebuild kit does everyone seem to like the best?
Note: in the pics below, greenish thick oil is from the front axle, brownish thinner oil is from the rear axle.
In the meantime I’ve been working my way through all the fluid changes these last few weeks. Here are a few observations:
- Engine Oil - <1.5 quarts came out. 8 quarts went in (-w- filter change). The drain plug had a steady drip so I have a feeling that the plug leak depleted the reservoir while it was sitting all those years. I’ve observed no smoke whatsoever during start up or while driving so I don’t think it’s burning any. After finally finding the correct crush washer (thanks @cruisermatt) for the drain plug washer part number, the drip has been eliminated. (BTW in case you were worried, the engine oil was changed weeks ago immediately after purchase. I haven’t been driving it with low oil.)
- Transfer Case - <2 quarts came out. >2 quarts went in. Oil was darkish but not milky or rusty. Very little metal sediment on the drain plug magnet.
- Rear differential - <2 quarts came out. >2.5 quarts went in. Oil was darkish but not milky or rusty. Very little metal sediment on the drain plug magnet.
- Front differential - <2 quarts came out. >2.5 quarts went in. Oil was dark greenish and thick with a slight milky tinge. Very little metal sediment on the drain plug magnet.
Below are pictures showing the difference between the front and rear differentials. I’m glad I got to the front one when I did. I’m wondering if some water got in there. Or is that perhaps knuckle grease?
If that is knuckle grease mixed in, which rebuild kit does everyone seem to like the best?
Note: in the pics below, greenish thick oil is from the front axle, brownish thinner oil is from the rear axle.
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