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Metal Swarf on Differential Drain/Filler Plug


revilla

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My annual service continues, and I've reached the point of checking the gearbox (Type 9 5 Speed) and differential (Ford Sierra) oil levels. I've cut down a 10mm Allen key and managed to remove both filler plugs without too much difficulty at all.

Both levels are low - as in, no oil at all ran out when I removed either of the plugs, but other than that I don't know how low. No signs of significant leakage, the gearbox was pretty much clean and the differential occasionally throws a little out of the breather but nothing else to see.

The magnetic plug from the gearbox was clear, however the one from the differential contained quite a lot of metal swarf as shown in the picture:

SwarfOnOilDrainPlug.jpg.225bf9bb0cec9c75ce2e629c2f4913ef.jpg

The differential has not given me any cause for concern, it's not particularly noisy and the slight clonk I get from backlash seems to within normal limits for a Caterham (I haven't measured anything, I just mean it's fine to drive and seems to be about the same as other Caterhams).

Should I be worried by this level of swarf or is it normal?

This is the first time I've done a full service on the car so I do know it's done at least 8,000 miles since the last time the differential was checked, other than that I have no idea, it may never have been looked at before for all I know (total mileage approximately 20,000). The car was supposedly serviced by Caterham South when I got it but they didn't sort out the front wheel bearings so I've no idea whether they did the differential!

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OK thanks all, looks like another one not to worry about *smile*

I've cleaned it up, got some Castrol Classic EP90 Gear Oil GL-4 on order for the differential and some RED LINE MTL 75W80 GL-4 Gear Oil Manual Transmission on order for the gearbox, plus a 250ml Squeezy Wash Bottle ... will report back how much of each it takes when they arrive.

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These are filler plugs rather than drain plugs, so I wouldn't expect any oil to run out when they're removed.  Henry Ford in his wisdom stipulated that, once the correct oil was in there, that was it for life -- no draining or changing required.  So, assuming the oil you've already got in there is correct, a top-up is all you need.  Of course, you may prefer to achieve greater peace of mind by renewing....just be careful not to overfill.

BTW, I'm finding your annual service reports fascinating, so please keep them coming!

JV

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@John Vine - They weren't supposed to be for entertainment *eek* I'm only posting when I get stuck, so the less you hear from me the better from my point of view *biggrin*

I think you're just waiting for the one where I get stuck with grease and nipples ...

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Well it took about 100ml to top up the diff out of a total capacity I think of around 1100ml. Not too bad. Plus about another 50ml up my sleeves and in my hair. The 250ml squeezy wash bottle was a total waste of time, the tube was so thin I could hardly get any rate of flow ... Note to self: Get a decent oil syringe before doing the gearbox!
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