quote:
Originally posted by PanteraWanabe:
Kirk do you think this box was exposed to water at some stage? Maybe the car was stored outdoors for years with the boot removed? Driven off a bridge? Was there water in the lube? I just think this is an exception because this would apply to every gearbox and diff, not just the ZF and I have never seen its like before. It is scary indeed.
I am guessing about the water intrusion. Based on what the current owner has told me, he bought the car from the original owner who lived in Michigan which is where he lives. The car is totally original---including the trans which had the original old clear tubing vent hose. Now here in the summer there can be extremely high humidity with big temp swings from day to night The ZF case has a much larger air space due to the main case size to house the differential. Also the original location of the vent tube was tied to the rear wheel well cross bar and ended up stuck inside the right rear wheel opening. If the car was rain driven, I would imagine the vent tube could pick-up from the right rear tire and as the trans cools, pull in the tube moisture. The second owner says he never sprayed off the trans but if the first owner took it the used a high pleasure washer on or near the side axels, the water car blow by the seals---just guessing on all if this. Regardless you should change the lube at least once a year if your car is in a high moisture and/or humid environment just for safety---IMHO.
As far as other gearboxes, it's logical to assume if the trans is similar in size, material make-up with the case, gears, lube amount and venting end location and length, it should pull water in a similar amount and if the lube has never been changed in 40 years, it may look just as bad from neglect.
Just guessing about all of this---just making the point that out of site in this case can not be out of mind--although if your trans ends up looking like this one you may loose your mind!