Synthetic Gear Oil vs. H20

[blackdiamond]

When you mix water with synthetic gear oil it seems to develop some white goo that doesn't seem to show up nearly as often as with conventional.

I have stopped using synthetic gear oil in my 4x4 as it could get water mixed in during river crossings. Also, changing it gets expensive whenver there is a possibility of getting water in the differential.

What is and what causes the white goo?

 

[bruce381]

""What is and what causes the white goo?""

Water emulsified into the oil is the white goo. base stocks alone are all about the same for emulsifing water not very good at it BUT the esters used in a syn have a higher potential to emulsify water, but that said the additive system used has the biggest effect on water seperation or emulsification. Diferent brands will be better or worse. Oil water emulshions are white or off/white
bruce

 

[unDummy]

If you soak your diffs, cheaper fluids that are changed after each swim, IMO, would be best. Mineral oils aren't immune. But, if you're stuck with changing the gear oil after every fishing, hunting, or offroad excursion/expedition, early change out is excellent PM without synthetic expense.

You should look into seal improvements on your diffs/axles, and raising the vents above the water line to reduce, as much as possible, the water soaking.

 

[blackdiamond]

I actually have not had a problem because I do have vents, but anytime you play in water it is a risk. I have played with it in a jar to verify what I had heard. The synthetic that I used, RP, seems to emulsify more than the conventional that I had.

 

[mechtech2]

Maybe extending the vent tube will help. I've seen factory ones that were quite long, and high.

 

[SteveD2]

It depends on the oil...some are "waterproof" and as soon as the blending action ceases, they almost immediately separate. Others are bad enoough that once they turn into a milkshake, they are done.

It all depends on the oil.

I thought I remembered seeing where RP was one of the better oils in regard to dispersing water, but your experiment possibly shows otherwise.

steved

 

[Wrehch]

TRC Lubricants has a gear oil that is very water resistant and great for gear set's that are exposed to a lot of water. It allows the water to be drained off from the gear oil. It's called 890 Vari-Purpose Gear Lubricant and comes in 75W, 80W/90 and 85W/140.

 

[unDummy]

Good info Wrehch.

Schaeffers too:
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/gearoiltest.htm

The above test is simple enough for anyone to do with gear oils available from their local stores.

 

[Wrehch]

The good old water and oil in a tube and shake is a easy way to see how well a oil separates from water. Forgot all about that link unDummy.