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Why Is My Differential Fluid Dark Brown or Black after only 1 year? 200 1988

posted by  1908242DLa on  Sat Oct 12 14:56 CST 2019
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last visit: Wed Oct 8 00:47 CST 2014
[RELATED]

1988 240DL N/A with about 300k miles. I bought it in October 2018. All fluids, especially differential, needed changing.

In the differential, I installed Mobil 1 75W-90 synthetic gear oil last October and noted that about 10 metallic needles were present. I drove the car on-road, not in the rain, and about 8k miles through today.

Today, I wanted to inspect the fill and drain plugs. I saw dark brown/light black fluid dripping, so I drained, then refilled the differential with Mobil 1 75W-90. The drain plug had little, if any, metallic parts attached to the magnet.

Why did the fluid turn dark after only 1 year/8k miles? Should I go ahead and change it at least yearly? How often should I inspect the fluid?

Thanks







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    Why Is My Differential Fluid Dark Brown or Black after only 1 year? 200 1988

    posted by  Nahtanha on  Sun Oct 13 19:31 CST 2019
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    last visit: Tue May 20 10:10 CST 2014
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    It's just the detergent in the oil doing it's job... Neglected maintenance always has this happen. Just change and drive.







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    Why Is My Differential Fluid Dark Brown or Black after only 1 year? 200 1988

    posted by  Michael Yount on  Sat Oct 12 18:15 CST 2019
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    It takes very little of the old, dark fluid to alter the color of the new fluid. It's almost impossible to get all of the old stuff out - so it's entirely possible that the instant you drove it with the new fluid, the color was darkened. If the diff isn't making any noises and is performing properly -- don't worry about it. If the leak persists, you're gonna have to get to the bottom of that.
    --
    82 242-6.2L; '17 Mazda3; '16 Crosstrek








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      Why Is My Differential Fluid Dark Brown or Black after only 1 year? 200 1988

      posted by  1908242DLa on  Sat Oct 12 23:18 CST 2019
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      last visit: Wed Oct 8 00:47 CST 2014
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      Thanks.

      Fortunately, there is no leak. When I removed the fill plug, gear oil dribbled out. When I refilled it, I let the excess dribble out.








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        Why Is My Differential Fluid Dark Brown or Black after only 1 year? 200 1988

        posted by  Michael Yount on  Sun Oct 13 06:40 CST 2019
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        Sorry - I misunderstood this statement -- "I saw dark brown/light black fluid dripping"

        No noises, performing ok = you're good to go with fresh new fluid.
        --
        82 242-6.2L; '17 Mazda3; '16 Crosstrek








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          Why Is My Differential Fluid Dark Brown or Black after only 1 year? 200 1988

          posted by  1908242DLa on  Sun Oct 13 08:22 CST 2019
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          last visit: Wed Oct 8 00:47 CST 2014
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          Thanks.

          Do you think that I'll get to the point where I got all of the old fluid out?

          Changing differential fluid is not that hard and I'm willing to spend a few dollars more to get fully synthetic, so I'm wondering how frequently I should change it?








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            Why Is My Differential Fluid Dark Brown or Black after only 1 year? 200 1988

            posted by  someone claiming to be CB on  Sun Oct 13 12:17 CST 2019 [RELATED]

            If this really bothers you, then(after getting your self a new rear cover gasket) take the rear cover off and clean out the inside. Then fill with Synth fluid.

            Do this rather than spending on Synth fluid and then tossing it after a few thousand miles.








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              Why Is My Differential Fluid Dark Brown or Black after only 1 year? 200 1988

              posted by  1908242DLa on  Sun Oct 13 12:27 CST 2019
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              last visit: Wed Oct 8 00:47 CST 2014
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              Thanks.

              Can I clean off the insides with brake cleaner?








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                Why Is My Differential Fluid Dark Brown or Black after only 1 year? 200 1988

                posted by  Michael Yount on  Sun Oct 13 14:13 CST 2019
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                last visit: Thu Oct 23 20:03 CST 2014
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                Color is a terrible indicator of lubricant health. Ask the folks at Blackstone Labs who do oil analysis. Ask the big rig owners who often go 15k-30k miles between changes based on periodic oil analysis. And their oil is “black” for all but the first few hundred miles after the change.

                For the third time - no noises? Performing ok? No leaks? You’ve got a healthy diff with new fluid. DRIVE THE CAR.

                If you still can’t let it go - buy some regular ol’ dino rear diff fluid. Change it again. Drive around for a week or two and then do a “hot change”. Then put another round of new synth in it. You’ll have the cleanest rear end in town. And who doesn’t want a clean rearend?
                --
                82 242-6.2L; '17 Mazda3; '16 Crosstrek








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                  Why Is My Differential Fluid Dark Brown or Black after only 1 year? 200 1988

                  posted by  1908242DLa on  Sun Oct 13 14:57 CST 2019
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                  last visit: Wed Oct 8 00:47 CST 2014
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                  Thanks again. No leaks or any symptoms.

                  Supertech/Walmart brand is half the price of Mobil 1:

                  https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Tech-Full-Synthetic-Gear-Lubricant-75W-90-1-Quart/309470123

                  Would it be okay to use Supertech for my next differential fluid change?








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                    Why Is My Differential Fluid Dark Brown or Black after only 1 year? 200 1988

                    posted by  Michael Yount on  Sun Oct 13 15:11 CST 2019
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                    last visit: Thu Oct 23 20:03 CST 2014
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                    Sure. You’re changing it. Most never do. Anything you put in in this day/time of the proper weight has you light years ahead. The base stock is probably made in the same plant that a lot of the others are.
                    --
                    82 242-6.2L; '17 Mazda3; '16 Crosstrek








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            Why Is My Differential Fluid Dark Brown or Black after only 1 year? 200 1988

            posted by  pageda on  Sun Oct 13 09:08 CST 2019
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            last visit: Fri Oct 24 13:18 CST 2014
            [RELATED]

            You probably got 90 - 95 % of the old oil out changing it again is not really going to make anything better.

            I f you feel that you have to, drive it around for a year and do it again.

            Dan







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