While driving to work today in my 2004 toyota tacoma 4x4 i found myself goin through some deep water which definately submerged my front and rear differentials in water. About a month ago i replaced both differentials with amsoil severe gear synthetic fluid. My question is what is the likelyhood that they got water in them and contaminated the fluid. They were probably submerged approx for 1000 feet but i kept movin and was able to make it through the water without stalling the truck.
Gear oil contamination
- Thread starter gscman
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Yes, there is a chance that water got in. The only way to tell is to examine the fluid. Drain the fluid and see is the oil is contaminated. If not, just put it back in. Otherwise change.
And
Maybe silly question, but where would work be that you have to drive through 1,000 feet of water to get there?
And
Maybe silly question, but where would work be that you have to drive through 1,000 feet of water to get there?
Unless there is an open vent hole on the differentials, and based on what I've seen that isn't likely, you should be fine.
If it was under water for a couple days or couple weeks, I'd be concerned.
If it really bothers you, either drain and check, or pull a bit up out of the bottom and see it there is indication of water.
If it was under water for a couple days or couple weeks, I'd be concerned.
If it really bothers you, either drain and check, or pull a bit up out of the bottom and see it there is indication of water.
I work at JFK airport in queens N.Y. We've had 5 days of torrential rains which causes the streets of jamacia to flood pretty bad. When i went through and it got deep there was no turnin back and no side streets to escape so i continued through till the end. I checked my air cleaner box and even got a little water in there to dampen the bottom of the filter. I definately got lucky i didnt get stuck in the middle because the water was almost up to the doors.
toyota's definitely have vents at the top of the diff's. They usually look like a little silver steel mushroom. However, that's not where the water will usually come in, because this mushroom has a check valve in it I believe (at least the one in my 4runner did).
Typically water will come in at the axle seals by the wheels. When the diffs hit the water it cools then and creates a slightly lower air pressure causing the diff to "suck" the water in.
A good rule of thumb is that if you've had the centerline of the wheel (the hub) even partially submerged, it's worth it to check the fluid.
I do a fair bit of off-roading, and if I were you I'd drain the diffs and check. You'll know instantly because the fluid will look like chocolate milk if it's contaminated by water...it turns into a kind of emulsion-ey mess. If it looks transparent/clear and syrupy, then you're probably OK. Lucky for you toyota's typically have a nice drain bolt in the diffs. It's the bolt that's surrounded by a what looks like a 1/4 inch "slice" of 1.5" pipe welded on to the very bottom right of the diff around and to protect the drain bolt.
Check that fluid! A quart of syth gear oil is usally about $10. A toyota drop-out center section (diff) costs a lot 'o money.
Typically water will come in at the axle seals by the wheels. When the diffs hit the water it cools then and creates a slightly lower air pressure causing the diff to "suck" the water in.
A good rule of thumb is that if you've had the centerline of the wheel (the hub) even partially submerged, it's worth it to check the fluid.
I do a fair bit of off-roading, and if I were you I'd drain the diffs and check. You'll know instantly because the fluid will look like chocolate milk if it's contaminated by water...it turns into a kind of emulsion-ey mess. If it looks transparent/clear and syrupy, then you're probably OK. Lucky for you toyota's typically have a nice drain bolt in the diffs. It's the bolt that's surrounded by a what looks like a 1/4 inch "slice" of 1.5" pipe welded on to the very bottom right of the diff around and to protect the drain bolt.
Check that fluid! A quart of syth gear oil is usally about $10. A toyota drop-out center section (diff) costs a lot 'o money.
Do your axles have drain plugs at the bottom center of the diff? If so, let the pickup sit a couple/few days and open the drain plug a little. Often the water will settle to the bottom and you can drain it off without losing much fluid.
OTOH, like Jim 5 said, it doesn't cost much to replace the fluid in a small diff like that so maybe better safe than sorry.
OTOH, like Jim 5 said, it doesn't cost much to replace the fluid in a small diff like that so maybe better safe than sorry.
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