The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Water in my Transmission?

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?

I have no experience with this problem, but if it were me the first thing I’d do would be to drain the transmission case of all the water contaminated fluid. The accumulated water will wreak havoc while in there. After that I’d do as you plan and get it out of the weather, then remove the shifter rod if you can and put a big overturned bucket over the transmission to protect it. Then fix that windshield gasket. Others will come along with more accurate, detailed information on how to properly remove any residual water and what to do next.

Since water is heavier than oil, it will be hard to get it all out of the tranny case because it will settle to the bottom. Unless there's a drain plug on the very bottom of the case, you'll probably have to pull the tranny to get the water out.

Every transmission I've ever seen has a drain plug at the very bottom. But if there has been water in it, the best approach is to disassemble the whole thing to be sure you get everything cleaned up and be sure there's no rust on bearings, etc.

Alcohol will dissolve in water and oil, drain by removing bottom drain plug, let sit for a few days, then add alcohol fora few days, turn extensively, drain again, should remove water.

Ed

Which 4 speed gearbox is it? SM420?

Sorry, but I don't know what 4 speed transmission it is, just that it has the power take off deal on the left side.

Have you found a way to prevent future rain from entering the transmission? Shifter boot?

Upside down funnel near the bottom of the shift lever? Yeah, that would look good.

The fix is to replace the windshield gasket. In the meantime I will put a boot over the shift lever and move the truck to covered storage.

Until you get the truck under cover I'd remove the drain plug and leave it open, that way any future water will run out and not collect inside the transmission. Tie a note to the drivers door handle that says "the trans plug is out, fill before driving" as a reminder!

If the water hasn't been in there long I'd drain it, fill it with new oil, drive it to stir it up then immediately drain it and re-fill. If yo don't know how long the water has been in there, you should remove the top cover and have a look at the gears for rust and pits.

Mike B