Replacing an exploded PTU in a vehicle. Tag on the unit of course says be sure to add fluid. It also says recommended to replace the fluid after the first 3000k. Is this necessary?
New PTU fluid change
- Thread starter Johnny248
- Start date
If you want the unit to last and reduce chance of failure, you definitely want to do a couple of short fluid changes as the unit breaks in as well as cleaning / inspecting any filters & magnets.
If it's my vehicle, I'm dropping the fluid after 1k. If it looks okay (normal metal shedding debris), then I'll drop and inspect after another 2k. If that looks better than the first, I'll double again and drop the fluid after another 4-5k.
After 2-4 changes the gearbox is probably close to broken in and should be able to follow the mfg recommended "Severe Service" interval. I would add extra magnets if possible.
If it's not my vehicle, and I'm under pressure to produce, then I'm doing the bare minimum to meet the expected requirements.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
What make/model vehicle?
If it were me paying all those those coconuts for a new PTU, absolutely.
The typical PTU is just a ring and pinion type 90 degree gearset and some bearings. If billions of front and rear differentials on the road worked ok without 3000 kilometer initial oil changes, this should too.
If they are reliable then they do not need to be changed do they?
I've heard of transmissions & gearboxes that had failed, and were replaced, that were sealed with filled with "lifetime" fluid. What exactly is a "lifetime"?
I can see changing at 100,000 or 150,000 miles. But not 3000 miles.
The stuff in my Saturn Vue PTU (NVG 123) looked pretty nasty at 150,000 miles, it was black and thick.
Most engines and gearboxes need a fluid change during break-in but will benefit from several. The duration of break-in varies by application but 5-10% of standard fluid change interval might be appropriate.
Or to keep it simple, don't change fluid just get another one when it's "done".
Or to keep it simple, don't change fluid just get another one when it's "done".