Alpha drive gear lube change problem

[jigrod]

While changing my gear lube for the first time in my 1994 Alpha 1 gen11 drive I was<br />only able to get 44oz in it. The manual calls for 54oz including the reservoir in the engine compartment.<br />I filled from the bottom fill plug until it came out the vent hole, put the screw back in the fill hole and filled<br />the reservoir. One of my manuals says when filling the reservoir the fluid should drain down to the vent hole.<br />Once it does, put the vent screw in and top off the reservoir. Problem is, I don't see it draining down from the reservoir.<br />Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Alpha drive gear lube change problem

jigrod---did you pop the oil reservoir cap off when you drained the unit?<br /><br />Seems to take forever for my Alpha drive to completely drain out----somebody out here must have a better way.

 

[jigrod]

Re: Alpha drive gear lube change problem

To be honest I don't recall if the reservoir cap was off while draining. I know I drained the reservoir into a small container though. I just popped of the vent screw and tried to pump more in from the bottom but it is definetly full from the bottom up to the vent plug. Also, after sitting over night the reservoir level has not dropped at all. Still only 44oz after lube change.

 

[C17LoadSmasher]

Re: Alpha drive gear lube change problem

1. Pop the cap in the reservoir, then the bottom drain, and then the top vent. <br />2. Acquire beer. <br />3. Finish beer.<br /><br /> It should be drained by then. I try to do it on hot days so it drains quicker. The manual says to do it when the oil is cold...as in not having been run. I dunno why, but I figure they know more than me!

 

[jigrod]

Re: Alpha drive gear lube change problem

Can I assume that the oil in the reservoir will drain out the bottom drain hole if I have the cap off of the reservoir?

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Alpha drive gear lube change problem

With the cap off of the resovoir let the feed line hang straight down along side the o/d until oil drips out the feed line,then insert feed line in vent hole assuming the o/d has been filled from the bottom until oil comes out the vent hole.Dont worry about the actual ounces,all of the old oil probably did not drain out of o/d.As long as there is oil in the resovoir you wont run short on gear lube.Charlie