I changed all my fluids this weekend. Imagine my surprise when I popped the drain plug off the transfer case(not TOD) and saw red ATF flowing out. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" /> I say surprise because I did not have time this winter and paid Merchants to replace fluids last time. The ATF was in there for approx. 24K. I plan drain and refill again next week to make sure I got it all out. Having had the wrong fluid in there for so long what kind of problems am I now facing???
Other than the inevitable run around with Merchants <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />

Of the choice between finding ATF or 90# gear oil in a t-case, I would much rather have the ATF.

You may be okay but definetely go to this Merchants and get something in writing that they screwed up and that they should be liable for any damage or premature failure of this t-case.

Doubt they will do this but worth a try.

Steve G

This seems common. I had gear oil in mine for a while. It is funny, the fill plugs on my truck have "Engine Oil" stamped on it.

John- I wouldn't sweat it. Modern ATF is not much more than a 20wt motor oil with some red dye & slightly different additive pkg. If your xfer case normally specs 5w-30 motor oil, you'll be fine. I'd do a couple drain/refill cycles on it anyway.
G/luck
Joel

Spoke to Isuzu tech and he seems to think that there will be no problems. Yes the fluid is thinner, but it was only in there durring the winter. Plus there were virtually no metal shavings on the drain plug.

So it looks like I will be OK

If my schematic is rite, and you too have a TOD Tcase. There is a small overflow hole between the transfer case and transmission. So putting TC oil in the TC would probably be a bad idea. I think they where right on when they put transmission fluid in it. That is if you have a TOD T case.

Original post says "not TOD".

Steve G

My bad for not re reading. Sorry <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Hi john you should have absolutely no problem with the atf , in the trans or the transfer , seeing as how you have a 5spd no tod either , the only thing you wany to watch is the the tranny is not overfilled or the trans fer case , when it runs out the fill hole cold that is it , atf grows as it gets hotter and it could dribble out the breathers , only reason isuzu didn,t like atf it has very little noise deadning quality, but high temp capability and good lubricating quality and it will keep the trans clean , atf has a high content of detergent in it , unless you are towing a heavy trailer a long time and really workin gthe trans you will, be fine Jerry