Water in gearbox

NickDunning

NickDunning

Active Member
Gents

A very distinguished ex-Rover engineer has asked me this, and I better get the best answer:

"The gearbox in my 3500S is full of a highly emulsified oil. I don't know how the water got in, or how long it has been there, but the result is a low viscosity liquid that looks like a cross between caramel and Aero bubbles. What would you use to flush it and clean the box out after draining (I thought that Diesel fuel might do the job) And what oil do you recomend for the re-fill ? "

Expert help appreciated

Thanks
Nick
 
I'd probably flush it through with paraffin as if I was stripping the box that's what I'd use to wash all the parts. As for how the water got in there, in normal use I can't think how, but if the cars been left standing outside, especially without a bonnet fitted then rainwater could have run down the bellhousing and over the breather hole, or leeched through the bellhousing gasket.
He doesn't live in Somerset does he?

Refill with Millers 20/50 oil for minis.
 
harveyp6 said:
I'd probably flush it through with paraffin as if I was stripping the box that's what I'd use to wash all the parts. As for how the water got in there, in normal use I can't think how, but if the cars been left standing outside, especially without a bonnet fitted then rainwater could have run down the bellhousing and over the breather hole, or leeched through the bellhousing gasket.
He doesn't live in Somerset does he?

Refill with Millers 20/50 oil for minis.
Click to expand...

Sounds good to me Harvey. I can't think how the water has got in there, it's a very nice motor...
 
How often have I said to you Watson that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?'

Sherlock Holmes
The Sign of Four


Nick, does he know the history of the car/box?

Given the general acceptance that water cannot, under normal circumstances, get in the box the only other answer is it was put there, either by accident or design.

Did he last fill it? if so is it possible the oil he used was already contaminated? If not then to some extent the same question applies.



Regards

Alan
 
Drain it, flush twice with paraffin and fill with oil.
Drive a few miles, drain and refill and drive a few miles, drain and refill.
Should be good to go.
 
I once bought a lt77, and due to one thing and another it got stored in my parents garage for a year until i managed to do something with it.

When I did fit it to the car the first thing I did was drain the oil. However it was about 50% water! The box was clean when I bought it so I think the seller had pressure washed it, in the process filling it with water.

Box lasted in daily use for 9 months after that before a bearing started to give up. Not bad really...
 
If the oil isn't leaking and all the plugs are intact then in reality it has to be gaskets or seals that are allowing water in by capillary action. And I would say it is probably the gaskets at the top of the box which has dried out and cracked or the detent gasket or seal has failed. Failing that then the seals on the selector shafts are worn and condensation or water is running down the shafts and passed the rubber seals. See the picture for the three round seals on the selector shafts, I know this is a gearbox from a 4 cylinder but the detail would be the same
 

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