Can i filter used gear oil and reuse it?

[The motor guy]

I'm working on tbe outdrive of my and drained the gear oil out into a dirty oil drain pan. Decided that was like $60 worth of gear lube I just wasted that was probably fine. Was thinking about filtering it through a coffee filter placed in a funnel and dump it back in.

 

[spasm3]

I wouldn't.

 

[The motor guy]

I wouldn't.

I'm just troubleshooting here. Once I figure out the issue it's getting dumped out

 

[joekingcorvette]

I would not re-use it.

 

[The motor guy]

I would not re-use it.

Why?

 

[SC Maintenance]

I grew up around and working on heavy equipment. My dad would drain and re-use. He would filter it through an old cotton t-shirt or similar - I wouldn't use a coffee filter. Mind you - it was going back in a commercial diff with an 18 inch ring gear than went like 2 miles an hour - so quite different than an outdrive.

If your just troubleshooting and its getting dumped again shortly, that is what I would do. Whether its a good idea or not - I can't say.

 

[dogememe]

I mean, it’s not my money, but I wouldn’t reuse it. If you had dumped it into a clean container that’s one thing but it sounds like you contaminated it.

 

[tnt_motorsports]

@The motor guy I think you will struggle to get the gear oil through a coffee filter. I would use an old cotton t-shirt or something similar that will allow the oil to pass through. You might want to pass a magnet through the fluid as well. Any idea what was in the drain pan? What does dirty mean? Can you use new gear oil and re-use it after you find your issue?

Just my $0.02

 

[SC Maintenance]

Hmm, yes I didn't notice the dirty drain pan part.

What are you doing using a dirty drain pan anyway? Doesn't everyone clean theirs like I do for just this purpose should it arise.

 

[stevejones]

Hell yeah, I'd reuse it.....but I don't own a boat.

 

[atikovi]

I'm just troubleshooting here. Once I figure out the issue it's getting dumped out

Shouldn't be an issue just for testing if it's going to be dumped anyway. I wouldn't want to use new oil and then dump that.

 

[4WD]

@The motor guy I think you will struggle to get the gear oil through a coffee filter. I would use an old cotton t-shirt or something similar that will allow the oil to pass through. You might want to pass a magnet through the fluid as well. Any idea what was in the drain pan? What does dirty mean? Can you use new gear oil and re-use it after you find your issue?

Just my $0.02

Yeah - I tried it on low hours Redline 10W30 … crazy slow and gave up…

 

[JMJNet]

If you drain it in a "CLEAN" drain pan, then filter it and reuse it.
Otherwise, I would say no.

 

[Kira]

I'm working on the outdrive of my and drained the gear oil....

I'm just troubleshooting here.

What was the problem/symptom or alert?

 

[The motor guy]

If you drain it in a "CLEAN" drain pan, then filter it and reuse it.
Otherwise, I would say no.

That's okay, next time around I'll make sure I drain into a clean pan if I need to reuse it.

 

[4WD]

That's okay, next time around I'll make sure I drain into a clean pan if I need to reuse it.

With the coffee filter you only have around 0.1 psi hydrostatic trying to push past +/-20 microns …

 

[joekingcorvette]

Why?

Well for one thing you didn't say what you drained the gear oil from. If it's a lower unit in an expensive outboard or the gear oil in a new Corvette I would never think of using contaminated lube from a dirty oil pan. If it's out of an 8N Ford tractor then maybe. What did you drain the gear oil from?

 

[Quantico]

Chemicals and bits in the lube you can not remove. Dump it.

 

[oil pan 4]

Do a UOA.
If you dumped it in a dirty catch pan it's done, maybe next time use a clean pan and test the oil.

 

[Dave9]

How much of what oil costs $60? I have no idea what I'm talking about, but... seems like a lot to spend, maybe just use a more affordable oil and not worry as much about the loss when draining it?