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84 bbi gear lube change

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by bl10, Apr 17, 2025.

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  1. bl10

    bl10 Formula Junior

    Jun 8, 2011
    437
    Chatsworth, CA
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    Barry Leavengood
    #1 bl10, Apr 17, 2025
    84BBi. So I changed the gear lube a couple of weeks back. However, I wasn't aware of draining and refilling the transfer case. I just drained it via the big plug in the bottom of the trans case and refilled via the plug in the back of the case (C). I let it drain until it completely stopped. I put a full 8 quarts in it, manual says 2 gal, and It never overflowed so yesterday I made sure the car was level and it took about 1 quart an 1 pint to get it to overflow for a total of 9 quarts and 1 pint. My question is if you don't drain the transfer gear case and just fill it via plug C is there any harm other than not flushing the bottom of the transfer case.

    Thanks Barry
     
  2. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 11, 2001
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    Steve Magnusson
    #2 Steve Magnusson, Apr 17, 2025
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2025
    Not a huge issue, but you've contaminated your new fluid with whatever was still in the bottom of the transfer gear case area. Additionally, the wear debris from the transfers gears (which are metal fines = the "grey paste" that collects on the magnetic drain plugs) tends to collect there. I wouldn't panic, but you can always just drain the transfer gear reservoir now (just a small amount will come out) -- see if anything horrible comes out ;) and check/clean what's on the magnetic drain plug -- then just refill a roughly corresponding amount of new gear oil thru the transfer gear fill plug (not plug C). Whenever the transfer gear area is drained, it is very important that at least some of the new fluid is added thru the transfer gear fill plug.
     
    turbo-joe likes this.
  3. bl10

    bl10 Formula Junior

    Jun 8, 2011
    437
    Chatsworth, CA
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    Barry Leavengood
    #3 bl10, Apr 17, 2025
    Thanks Steve. The old gear lube was really clean, no shavings on the plug and smelled Ok. The car only has 19K miles and the gear lube was changed at least twice during majors. In fact I think the lube I took out of had less than 1k miles on it. I only changed it as I wasn't happy with the shifting and wanted to put Red Line GL5 in it. Its a lot better but not near as good as my 308. I will drain and refill the transfer case this weekend just because as well as clean and lube the shifter stick pivot ball and related components. When I did that to my 308 it really cut down on the drag when moving the stick between gears.

    Barry
     
  4. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
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    Brian Crall
    #4 Rifledriver, Apr 18, 2025
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2025
    No matter how you drain it you do not get all the oil out, not unless you take it apart. There are lots of nooks and crannies where oil pools and does not drain. You mentioned pulling the big plug in the transmission case but no mention of the second big plug in the differential section. A lot more oil stayed in as a result of that than what was left in the transfer gear case.The transfer gear case holds a tiny portion of the total oil and is constantly being churned up and exchanged during operation.
     
  5. bl10

    bl10 Formula Junior

    Jun 8, 2011
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    Chatsworth, CA
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    Barry Leavengood
    #5 bl10, Apr 18, 2025
    Live and learn. I'll run it for a while then change it again. Thing is it took 9 + quarts to overflow the C filler plug. Maybe I overfilled it? Once it overflowed I let it drain about an hour to insure level. I spent 30 + years learning the ins and outs of the 308 so I imagine it will take me a while to get comfortable with the 512BBi. I've put about 1200 miles on it in the last three months and it gets better and better as I figure things out but still a long way to go.
     
  6. ago car nut

    ago car nut F1 Veteran
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    Aug 29, 2008
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    David A.
    #6 ago car nut, Apr 18, 2025
    Drained mine years ago, and a piece of gear tooth came out! Complete trans rebuild. 1st gear really bad, 2nd started to spall. Never noticed anything wrong. 1st gear was noisy. I drain mine thru paint strainers now. Very clean now.
     
  7. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #7 Rifledriver, Apr 18, 2025
    I am seeing a lot more TRs and 512s with bad gear wear. Never see it on the cars who subscribe to annual or every 2 year gear oil changes. Only on those who believe we can change the at the same time we change the diff oil on our trucks. Ferrari transaxles wont take that.
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  8. turbo-joe

    turbo-joe F1 Veteran

    Apr 6, 2008
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    southwest Germany, France ( Alsace ) and Thailand
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    romano schwabel
    #8 turbo-joe, Apr 20, 2025
    why not coffee filters? will have then a special taste the coffee when use the filter again ;)
     
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