I'm about to change the fluids on my truck (diffs, transmission, xfer case) and thought to myself should I change them after a drive to get them warm or when they have been sitting for a while?
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Fluid Changes Hot or Cold
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As far as oil and trans fluid, you definitely want to warm them up to operating temperature. This will make the fluids flow better, carrying with them more of the contaminants into the drain bucket/pan.
I would imagine it's the same for differentials but I am not certain so I don't want to lead you astray.
I would imagine it's the same for differentials but I am not certain so I don't want to lead you astray.
As warm as possible. That way they will be thinner and you'll drain as much out as possible.
Originally Posted By: Pajamarama
As far as oil and trans fluid, you definitely want to warm them up to operating temperature. This will make the fluids flow better, carrying with them more of the contaminants into the drain bucket/pan.
I would imagine it's the same for differentials but I am not certain so I don't want to lead you astray.
Thats what I was thinking just wanted another vote on it before I did it, off to the parts store
As far as oil and trans fluid, you definitely want to warm them up to operating temperature. This will make the fluids flow better, carrying with them more of the contaminants into the drain bucket/pan.
I would imagine it's the same for differentials but I am not certain so I don't want to lead you astray.
Thats what I was thinking just wanted another vote on it before I did it, off to the parts store
Yeah, I'd agree that draining "hot" is much more likely to dissolve more crud and wash it out. However, I've burned myself plenty of times on hot things, including hot oil, while under my vehicle.
So I typically allow my cars to cool a bit once I have them up on ramps.
If you are under there on your back, and it is 100 degrees out there, you have limited room to move, and it is just plain miserable outside. Then do it in the morning.
I've also allowed my truck and SUV to cool overnight and do the OCI first thing in the morning.
Sure it is cold oil, and there may be some goo left in the bottom of the oil pan that would otherwise be melted and held in suspension.
But it makes my life easier.
Besides, I only go 5000-6000 miles on an OCI.
Perhaps I am a Party Pooper. Perhaps I like feeling of not baking between a concrete griddle and my heating element like engine.
(In the winter it can be kind of cozy under there)
To each his own.
So I typically allow my cars to cool a bit once I have them up on ramps.
If you are under there on your back, and it is 100 degrees out there, you have limited room to move, and it is just plain miserable outside. Then do it in the morning.
I've also allowed my truck and SUV to cool overnight and do the OCI first thing in the morning.
Sure it is cold oil, and there may be some goo left in the bottom of the oil pan that would otherwise be melted and held in suspension.
But it makes my life easier.
Besides, I only go 5000-6000 miles on an OCI.
Perhaps I am a Party Pooper. Perhaps I like feeling of not baking between a concrete griddle and my heating element like engine.
(In the winter it can be kind of cozy under there)
To each his own.
Modern high detergent oils keep stuff in suspension very well so the need to have the oil burning hot IMO. I do drain mine warm but, not at the 200 F that was the rule 40 years ago. Ed
I ment there is NO need to have the oil super hot to drain-Getting tired.
I have always gone by the rule learned many moons ago, always warm and freshly churned
When a sump is cold, it has had more time to drain down, and let and particulate matter settle to the bottom.
So drain it hot or cold, it makes no difference.
German cars often spec that a proper drain is on drop every minute or so. A good long time.
And this works the same for hot or cold!
So drain it hot or cold, it makes no difference.
German cars often spec that a proper drain is on drop every minute or so. A good long time.
And this works the same for hot or cold!
I drained my transmission and transfer case today after a good 6 hour day, no burns to report but it came out quick and let is drip until about a drip a min.
Only problem I had is that I was told my transmission held 5 quarts...6 quarts later it was starting to come out of the fill port leaving 1 quart for my transfer-case which wasn't enough thank god I have another car.
I did my rear differential case also, learned a lesson the hard way...clean the [censored] out of the diff before you take the cover off, I spent over an hour getting sand out of the case... SOB!
at least I only got the front diff and top off the transfer case left
Only problem I had is that I was told my transmission held 5 quarts...6 quarts later it was starting to come out of the fill port leaving 1 quart for my transfer-case which wasn't enough thank god I have another car.
I did my rear differential case also, learned a lesson the hard way...clean the [censored] out of the diff before you take the cover off, I spent over an hour getting sand out of the case... SOB!
at least I only got the front diff and top off the transfer case left
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