My Zf Just Sh*t Its Self

[F6_Tornado]

have a read of this thread from a bm forum a lot of the guys like weasel are bm techs and there's a lot of Q's about changing the fluid in these boxes

xoutpost zf info

I’m sure some of these guyz like weasel mean well but somehow I think something has been lost in the translation.

The bit about changing the oil will do more harm than leaving it is wishful thinking and as much as I wish it was true as it would save us all a squillion dollars on oil and parts it’s not going to happen.

This bit amazes me a bit!!

the clutch material gets suspended in the fluid and alters the viscosity and friction profile. When you change the fluid the worn clutch packs are more prone to slippage and it can cause a transmission failure earlier than if left alone.

If the particles stay suspended in the oil and don’t get filtered the oil would become more abrasive and as such increase wear. The oil should provide a membrane between the moving parts to lubricate and cool them whilst reducing friction and as such heat.

Clean oil without the suspended particles would have to be a 1000 times better and anyone who has had a ZF that has been playing up and then done a service the results amaze them at the new lease of like the box now has.

Modern day oil is designed to keep partials in suspension for one reason and that is so they travel to the filter where they get filtered out. In the old days this was not the case and in engines for example when you took the sump off there would be 2” of sludge in the bottom.

Oil does many things besides lubricate and two important things in a ZF are cooling with the ability of the oil to hold up when hot and the ability of the oil to reduce friction between the clutch plates when the clutch is “disengaged”

The first thing you will notice when using genuine ZF oil with an increase in HP is its discoloration and the rapid rate in which the filter blocks.

The first think you notice when changing to TransmxZ is the filter stays clean longer and the oil doesn’t discolor apart from some discoloration from the old oil if not flushed out.

I think the biggest problem with tech people like BMW is they don’t see the HIGH HP wear and tear and are only dealing with low HP on Standard BMW’s and as such call it like they see it.

We live in a HIGH HP world and in some cases double what the box was designed for and as such need to use different oils etc.

A STD HP vehicle would probably be fine over its “lifetime” without an oil change but if you think you can wind it up and leave the oil in without regular changes then you deserve the bill for repair at the end of the day.

I would say anything over 365rwks and hard driving would welcome a oil change @ 10k and if some hard track days or drags I’d even reduce that.

[jasol]

when I asked my local ford about serviceing the zf they said you NEVER have to do it lol, I did not like that idea, oh and whats the go with heating the oil? ive hurd it needs to be a certen temp when filled up?

Edited 24/07/09 06:42 AM by jasol

[F6_Tornado]

Read this and it will explain all!

6HP26_Oil_Refill.pdf

[Robos F6]

How do you check the oil on these boxes? Do you have to drain some?

[our06t]

F6 I understand what your saying

but these guys are talking in miles so 100k is 160k kms that's where they are seeing the most problems with these boxes , I think all they are saying is if you have left it for over 100k kms probably not worth stuffing around and changing fluid because it will just upset the box any way .

I mean fark if you get over 100k kms out of a zf at high hp you wouldn't really be blaming the box design for it failing.

and although not as high hp these things 4,4 and 4,8"s are pushing 240-260 kw through all wheel drive with huge rubber and over 2 ton of weight so they do get punished .

and maybe I'm way off but my thought on the comment about clutch pack material being suspended in the oil sounded right as in if the material in the oil was the same as that of the clutch pack faces it would help them bind together .

guess we'll see more proof as the zf's in fords start climbing over the 100k kms mark

in the end I agree if you had the car from new and replaced the oil every 15-20k kms you would be doing the right thing , but I'm still undecided on the effects of starting to change the fluid in a zf that is more than half way through it's service life ie 80k kms +

[Buf-Phoon]

It's an interesting discussion. If you read the boards , it's all about valve springs, coil packs, auto's etc

Just goes to show that the older cars get the more stuff farks up.Just a case of suck it and see unfortunately.

If you are a serious enthusiast and drive your car hard. Budget for the extra maintenance IMO.

If you want to run an additional 30+% power over a components stock tolerances, things will break.

Still the same rub "you play you pay" the more things change, the more they remain the same

[Buf-Phoon]

How do you check the oil on these boxes? Do you have to drain some?

Read the PDF attached to F6 Utes post. How farkin lazy are people around here

It's in this farking thread

[our06t]

that's what I'm goin for buff have bloody good fun and budget for the fark up's instead of sookin about it

[Ralph Wiggum]

hey Buff.....could you quote it for me.....?

[our06t]

He HE hE