Magic transmission fluid
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 759
Likes: 34
From: Virginia
Pretty sure I'm filling all holes according to the manual, so I don't think I'm way overfilling the primary. I've been having noise issues from the left side - definite rattle at 2500-3000 rpm when shifting all gears - which is why I had the SE comp installed. Noise was still there so I drained all fluids to see if the correct amount was put in after the comp. was installed. That's when I noticed the dark colored transmission oil. Drained the tranny again after about 400 miles and had the dark tranny oil again. I am going to drain the tranny again and fill with BelRay 85w140 to see if that helps. If it changes from red to black then I'll need to do some exploratory transmission work. Prior to this, my tranny oil always looked new when I drained it, so it's difficult for me to believe that it's normal for transmission fluid to turn that dark.
Last edited by RoadHog659; Sep 5, 2013 at 07:14 PM.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 759
Likes: 34
From: Virginia
sorry but I'm confused , you are saying that your formula plus is getting dark and talking about your trans and say that your motor and trans levels are good , if you are meaning your primary it will get dark from your clutches normal wear or they may be slipping , why do you think there is a leak ?
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 759
Likes: 34
From: Virginia
Mobile1 20w50 in the crankcase, H-D Formula+ in the primary and H-D Formula+ in the transmission. Transmission was right at the full mark with the fill plug resting on the threads - dark brown/black in color when drained. Didn't notice if the primary was lower than normal but I always refill exactly 38 ozs. Crankcase oil level remains right where I filled it to. No leaks on my garage floor or between inner primary that I can see. It's a mystery....
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 759
Likes: 34
From: Virginia
Just finished putting BelRay 85w140 in the transmission. If I still get the noises and the color change I'll switch to the Redline shockproof. Thanks for your input.
Tourer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 299
Likes: 40
From: Eastern foothills of Shenandoah Mountains, Virginia
Automatic Transmission Fluid is pretty thin.
Gear oil is pretty thick, e.g. 75w140, 85w130 etc.
How can the lubrication need of a transmission be satisfied with such a wide difference in viscosity?
Gear oil is pretty thick, e.g. 75w140, 85w130 etc.
How can the lubrication need of a transmission be satisfied with such a wide difference in viscosity?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,593
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From: South Carolina-First to secede and hopefully the next.
I think some folks mis-read the OP. Transmission fluid is commonly used in the primary. Lots of folks run various brands of gear oil in the transmission. I don't think ATF would be a very good lubricant in a gear box.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 537
Likes: 12
From: Chesapeake, VA.
I don't think ATF would be a very good lubricant in a gear box.
40+ yrs ago I would have agreed with you, but I owned a 72 Dodge
van that lost a front seal and was leaking ATF.
After checking with the dealer, yes that was factory instlled.
As the van was made in Canada the ATF was installed so that
you could shift the tranny in sub-zero weather..I replaced the seal
added fluid and drove it for another 10 yrs.............tenn
40+ yrs ago I would have agreed with you, but I owned a 72 Dodge
van that lost a front seal and was leaking ATF.
After checking with the dealer, yes that was factory instlled.
As the van was made in Canada the ATF was installed so that
you could shift the tranny in sub-zero weather..I replaced the seal
added fluid and drove it for another 10 yrs.............tenn