puma transfer oil change interval

[justinc]

After a few instances of finding putrid oil condition, and 1 complete case failure, it has come to my attention these pumas need more regular transfer case oil changes.

if you are towing or operating at highway speeds in high ambient temps then 20,000km should be adhered to, and use a synthetic 75w90 gear oil. it is only 2.5 litres capacity, and good oil like penrite sin75 is about $50 per change. small price to pay.

i am thinking the increased output of these engines allow the trans to work hard without you noticing, they do it so easily.

jc

[newhue]

thanks JC,

I'll take your advice on that, but it does seems strange.

I'm guessing a LT230 has the same oil compactly regardless wether it's in a Tdi, Td5, or Tdci. And without the spec charts they all produce around 90Kw and 340-360Nm. I regularly drive with a Tdi, and Td5, and my Tdci is no rocket ship that leaves the others for dead.

Do earlier models have bigger oil compactly? Can a Lt230 be made to hold more oil? Is there a type of oil that should not be used in a trans, that maybe some dealers do quietly due to cost lowering?
Surly the Tdci doesn't have another quirk

[vnx205]

When I was at Modern Motors, Dungog a year ago, redeeming the voucher they had donated as a prize for the AULRO NSW 10th Anniversary gathering, they had a fitting with cooling fins that bolted onto the bottom and increased the oil capacity.

I cant find it on their site.
Modern Motors Dungog

Maybe they still have them.

They look like this.
OIL COOLER SUMP COVER FOR LT230 TRANSFER CASE | eBay
Global Roamer Corporation

Maybe they are a good idea for people towing.

[justinc]

These observations are based on current service practice findings, IE we change all LT230 oils at 40K, BUT When the Puma came along I have seen LOTS of filhy stinking blackened oils at 40K. I serviced a '11 90 on Thursday it had 40,001km() and had been towing a small camper trailer for lots of those KM. IMO its oil should have been changed at 20K. It was quite dirty and stank.

Maybe the oil quality from factory fill isn't so good? Not sure BUT It seems prudent to halve the change interval where what seems like 'hard' use is encountered. (I wouldn't call towing a small CT with a small 90 hard, though)

Trans Oil is cheap. (Unless you are a D3/4 owner)


JC

[jplambs]

Thanks for the info Justin, any thoughts on the gearbox oil change?

JP

[Blknight.aus]

the oil capacity is down abit because they've cocked it over to make it fit in with the transmission being more centered.

[LowRanger]

When I was at Modern Motors, Dungog a year ago, redeeming the voucher they had donated as a prize for the AULRO NSW 10th Anniversary gathering, they had a fitting with cooling fins that bolted onto the bottom and increased the oil capacity.

I cant find it on their site.
Modern Motors Dungog

Maybe they still have them.

They look like this.
OIL COOLER SUMP COVER FOR LT230 TRANSFER CASE | eBay
Global Roamer Corporation

Maybe they are a good idea for people towing.

I was at Modern Motors on Thursday,redeeming a voucher I won at the Expo,and used it towards a recond. LT230,so my oil is nice and clean
And yes they do still have the adaptor for the LT230 to increase oil capacity and cooling,they were selling them at the expo.

[justinc]

The main gearbox oil is a 60K interval IMO. I have done them at 90K and they were getting pretty average by then.

The main gearbox oil is of very high quality, and the trans is overrated for Puma power and torque outputs.

JC

[JDNSW]

Is it possible that the exhaust layout etc results in the transfer case getting a lot hotter than previous incarnations? Or does the slightly more civilised interior attract drivers who spend more time on the highway at high speed?

John

[Blknight.aus]

I blame a combination of the solution of the hot passangers side footwell and the angling of the Tcase.

Big red used to do long distance trips at highway speed with a moderate to heavy trailer on the back and I wasnt getting Tcase oil issues but I Was changing all fluids at 50 K Km.