Date:         Tue, 2 Dec 1997 15:51:15 +0000
Reply-To:     Reece Isaac <throttle@ALPHA.ALPHALINK.COM.AU>
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         Reece Isaac <throttle@ALPHA.ALPHALINK.COM.AU>
Subject:      Re: Running a tranny with plastic bits
Comments: To: David Bayer <bayer@SYBASE.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <9712020425.AA02913@moessel.sybase.com>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

G'day David

On Mon, 1 Dec 1997, David Bayer wrote:

> While talking to a few mechanics (and a few others) some have suggested
> running the tranny with the tip in there. This would be fine if this wasn't
> a tranny that I could drain completely and if it didn't have a diff lock (I
> am worried about plastic bits causing the locking mechanism to stick - can
> anyone tell me if this is a valid worry? Am I missing any other possible
> major reasons not to let the clean plastic get chewed up?
>
I know what is to follow isn't exactly the same but it might give you
some idea of what can be got away with.
I work for the state railway system here in Victoria Australia (Vline
Freight Corporation) as a locomotive driver and I have over the past 20
year observed (and on on occasion taken part in) the installing of the
lubricant into the traction gear case on locos and suburban EMUs.  This
stuff is VERY thick (if you left it packet open on a bench it would take
a month to run or drip down to the floor.  It is called crater and comes
in sealed plactic bags.  To put it into the crater case (gear case) it is
stuffed complete with bag into a hole at the top of the case.  The bag
ends up being chewed up and it deposited in very small bits around the
inside of the case and causes no trouble.  Now I know that the tip of a
funnel isn't the same as a plastic bag but I don't think it would cause
me the same concern as if it was a metal funnel.  Besides, isn't plastic
made from oil?
Reece
81 Passat GLD
96 Transpoter 2.4D