Mystery - re-appearing drive oil?
 

Had my input shaft/u-joint seal replaced a few weeks ago and has been holding up great. Then the other day after boating I checked it an lost about a 1/4" in my resevoir. Being paranoid I pressure tested the whole system through the resevoir. The lube level always drops a little when you pressurize the system. Left it on for about 30 minutes and held pressure great. Relieved the pressure and let it sit without the cap for about 10 minutes. I went out to make sure drive oil level came back.

Not only did it come back, but the 1/4" that I lost was back as well? :confused:

Re: Re-appearing drive oil
 

not using merc oil?

Re: Re-appearing drive oil
 

Joe, I only use the high perf merc oil.

Re: Re-appearing drive oil
 

Anyone have an explanation?

Re: Re-appearing drive oil
 

Hey Scott!
I am not sure what is happening with that 1/4" of fluid. But I wouldnt worry about it until you see the level go down an inch or so. I had to fill mine up about 5 times, well it went down about an inch or so, I would fill and down it would go, then again and again. I was ready to pull the drive and it hasnt used any more since. I have the ITS cap and I think that is where it goes.
But the best strategy is to let the drive think your going to pull it and tear into it. It will behave after that for sure! :)
Where there any temp variations during your tests? Maybe an air space, I really dont know.

Dick

Re: Re-appearing drive oil
 

Thanks Dick. I just thought it was weird that the 1/4" that I thought I "lost" came back. Didn't make any sense to me.

Re: Re-appearing drive oil
 

if the drive was being exposed to direct sunlight, it will heat up and the fluid will grow( expand) and the level will rise. If its left overnight and it cools, it will shrink(contract) and the level will drop.

Re: Re-appearing drive oil
 

"if the drive was being exposed to direct sunlight, it will heat up and the fluid will grow( expand) and the level will rise. If its left overnight and it cools, it will shrink(contract) and the level will drop."....you gota be bull$hitting me!...

our oil level in the rez and or the drive level does not change AT ALL. from the time it's bolted on to the time it comes off/apart (1 race or 1 test day MAX).....maybe the sunlight heats the drive up more than racing one for 1 hour?

Re: Re-appearing drive oil
 

I'm just happy the seal is holding up. I guess I was just curious as to why the level might drop and then come back to normal. Didn't make any sense to me.

Re: Re-appearing drive oil
 

"I guess I was just curious as to why the level might drop and then come back to normal. Didn't make any sense to me."...now, i can't B giv'n up all my secretes bro!

but, like dick said ...."But the best strategy is to let the drive think your going to pull it and tear into it. It will behave after that for sure!"