I have a 4400 with a 4 speed transmission and PTO that I bought a few years ago. When I first got it, I decided to change the gear oil in the transmission and was surprised to see the light chocolate stuff pouring out. Asking my mechanic friend about it he said the only way that could happen is if it were submerged. It made sense as the truck came out of Vermont which had some serious flooding only months before I bought it. But a few days ago, I noticed a chocolate milk drip on the driveway so I knew it was time to change it again but mystified as to how it got that way. Turns out that the windshield gasket leaks and the water drips right on top of where the shift lever goes in to the top of the transmission. So now I wonder how best to clean it out without removing and disassembling which is beyond my capabilities. I had thought kerosene rinse but another mechanic friend said it was bad idea and suggested 10w motor oil. I have put some plastic sheet over the top of the shift lever in the meantime and will be moving it to covered storage soon. I have also bought a new windshield gasket and will replace when it is a bit warmer. So how would you folks deal with this problem?
