Thread: Front and rear diffs - oil full of metal flake

Reason it was sold on maybe??

Originally Posted by Tombie

You know why though, don’t you...

Because people have such unrealistic expectations of vehicle ownership costs.. just like the current trend of huge warranties - driven by market competition rather than manufacturers desire or faith in a product.


What people miss is that the arduous use cycle applies to almost all domestic use.

I think its more companies doing this with fleets.

Bean counters thinking we will get rid of it in three yrs,spent bugga all on servicing.

I pity the private guy who gets it after its sold.

I don’t disagree that service costs are affecting marketing positions and pushing service intervals out, however this is supported by better quality synthetic oils that can handle longer service intervals. The push from manufacturers is why oil quality and service intervals have improved, not that the oil quality has remained the same and bean counters have simply extended intervals at the risk of product. I honestly believe component life expectancy has improved by factors over the past 30 years while intervals have extended.
When I started it was 5,000km. Then 10,000km, then 12,000km, then 24,000km. In the past engines were blowing smoke at 100-150,000km yet now they get 300,000km on average without issue. Between better machining, improved materials, and better oil, life of all components is extended.

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

I don’t understand why no one accepts that oil technology, like electronics and everything else in our lives has also moved on and that extended intervals are real?

I agree that oil technology has improved somewhat But it hasn't been a Quantum leap.
These extended service intervals have more to do with a sales pitch than they do with reality.
All diffs wear and all oils break down with use (Even the Flash new ones) and expecting any diff to survive such extended periods without servicing is nothing more than a pipe dream.
God help any poor bugger that buys a D4/D5 when the odometer turns over 250K if the advised service intervals have been adhered to during that time.
I do diffs/TC every 20k and engine oil every 10k (Or 5k if the engine has had a flogging), Gearbox/diff oil is NOT that expensive (Much cheaper that replacing a diff/TC) and you don't have to be a Rhodes scholar to change the oil either.
10 years or 100k services can't be any good for ANY vehicle.

Originally Posted by 67hardtop

Reason it was sold on maybe??

The thought occurred. Not sure. I'm pretty sensitive to driveline noises and others that drove it didn't pick it, including an ex LR UK mech with no vested interest...

Either way it's my glorious problem now

Oil is cheap , Diffs and transmissions are expensive.

One of the reasons for these "lifetime" oils is EU directives on waste product disposal, and originators of the waste being financially responsible for disposal. Its not the technology but the politics.

Also even 30 years ago, service intervals were lengthened because governments in Australia put pressure on manufacturers not to require "over servicing" of their cars to reduce ownership costs. I can recall when this happened when I worked for Ford.

Regards Philip A

Originally Posted by justinc

Never been changed. Lost count of how many we see like this. 10 years and over 100k is just too long. I would be changing them at 60k and 5 years at absolute minimum. And hell yes that trans needs a service NOW!!!

You have to believe that I bought a sump conversion and LG6 oil long before the car arrived. Next on the list to do. No great hurry as its doing no miles at the mo... Big reason why I was looking for one with relatively low miles.

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

To think there’s no wear in a diff is fooling yourself. There is a reason there’s a magnet in there - to catch this wear. I am sure that if the filings were collected over the life of regular changes versus long interval, it would be extremely similar, to the same.
I don’t understand why no one accepts that oil technology, like electronics and everything else in our lives has also moved on and that extended intervals are real? I will say that I’m not a fan of the gearbox interval as I think that’s pushing my friendship somewhat, but that said, my box has seen that and is working fine (not my choice exactly).

0.61 ltr in the front diff and 1.1ltrs in the rear , not sure oil has improved that much that such small amounts can handle the long service intervals.

When we wanted to get extended oil intervals on our trawlers we doubled the sump capacity of the engines and the manufacture was ok with this, as long as we used the oil they recommended. I don't think any machinery has ever suffered from having the oils changed too often , maybe the hip pocket suffers a little but worth the extra cost in my eyes

Cheers Ean