When changing the gear oil in the front differential of a four wheeler, it’s a good idea to use a funnel rather than leave the cap on the bottle until the last second; chances are when you’re trying to squeeze the bottle of gear oil into the correct position, you’ll pop the damn top off and shoot it straight inside said differential. Now I get to tear the whole font end apart to get the stupid thing out. I suppose I won’t be applying for work at Jiffy Lube any time soon.
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Odd that you would be “changing the gear oil” in a differential. Most mechanics merely top-off the oil level. The only time the oil is ever changed is when the unit is opened for repair or adjustment.
In any event, I would not worry about a small plastic object falling into the differential, or even a small, thin aluminum object. The gears are very hard and run under extreme pressure. The foreign object would likely melt or be hammered to nothing.
This rule does not apply to small objects dropped into a crankcase, however. Sometimes such objects, depending on their size, will find their way into the pan and lie there harmlessly forever. But, too often, they will end up blocking an oil passageway and cause problems.
Posted 22 May 2009 at 7:18 pm ¶Yeah, it was odd and completely unnecessary, but I felt like doing it anyway, don’t ask me why…which makes the faux pas even more aggravating, but not all that surprising, considering the mechanic. I’m attempting not to worry about it, if I can convince my anal nature not to get the best of me. It is just a little plastic cap. Still, the damn thing shouldn’t be in there…
Thanks for the advice.
Posted 22 May 2009 at 8:19 pm ¶Post a Comment