EugeneT5

Let's start at the beginning. I own a 2003 USDM Evo 8, stage 1 mods. Done 97.000miles
Car has had all the fluids changed within the last 2000miles.
All the fluids looked good at that time. Cusco oil used in the 5spd gearbox, (non-acd) transfercase and RS diff.

No strange noises, besides a very slight whine when "braking" on the engine/driveline. But nothing to worry about really.

During the trackday yesterday I thought to hear a whine, but when going full throttle you don't notice much other noises besides the engine/exhaust offcourse. On the way home I heard a speed dependant noise which got loud from 20mph and unbearable until 90, then it got quieter. Still drove home easily, for 100 miles. The noise was only there when accererating, also when only slightly accererating...

Tonight I listened with a stethoscope onder the car on a 2pillar ramp, RS diff was really quiet, gearbox made some noise around the startermotor but the Transferbox was whinig like I never heard before, just hurts your ears.

Drained the T-case oil and this is what I found:

crownwheel and pinion look damaged, silver flakes in the oil and a lot of very small metal pieces on the drain plug.

Oil that came out is ~0,55 litres so low on oil wont be a cause I believe... ?

What is the cause?

how can it be prevented?

Thanks for your help

Pictures:

Gary@MellonRacing

iTrader: (74)

what oil were u using on the transfer ?
was the oil stinky when u pulled it out ?
the transfer case hold almost 1qt ..

EugeneT5

It was Cusco transmission oil, recommended to me by a company who specialises in Japanese cars.

The oil was black with little pieces of metal, also it smelled burned (stinky indeed).

0,55l came out so that is about 0.6qt IIRC

Had contact with shephard transmissions and John said, whatever oil was in there... that's the cause of the failure.

andrewzaragoza

iTrader: (6)

make sure you switch your diff oil to the diaqueen lsd oil before you damage it as well.

mega-z

iTrader: (13)

diaqueen lsd oil FTW!!!

rcheung

iTrader: (15)

You used manual tranny fluid in the tcase? If so that in deed does look to be the cause of the failure?

golgo13

iTrader: (134)

That sucks man! I hope that doesn't cost you too much in repairs for sure. If you can prove it was the fluid, you might have a case.

Stock Fluids > *

Engineered and approved by Mitsubishi for a reason.

justboosted02

iTrader: (31)

wrong oil

iTune

iTrader: (3)

Yeah, looks like you used the wrong oil in the Transfer Case bro. I don't suggest you run the DiaQueen either, if this is a car that sees frequent track days. Once you get it rebuilt, run Redline Heavy Shockproof or similar in the TC.

Also, drain the rear diff as it looks like you're using the wrong gear oil in it as well. You want to use a good 75w-90 in the rear diff. you can use Redline Heavy Shockproof in the rear diff as well, but will need to add a friction modifier for use in the LSD rear. I suggest using Redline 75w-90 in the rear.

Sorry about your luck man. GL with everything!

iTune

iTrader: (3)

Ehh....not so much. There are MUCH better oils out there. I would NEVER run OEM fluids in my Evo.

ak47po

iTrader: (3)

wow!

High_PSI

iTrader: (50)

Stock fluids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are think and handle the heat!!!! The thin **** does what you see above!!!!

iTune

iTrader: (3)

For you other guys out there suggesting OEM fluids, stop. This car clearly sees the track. The OEM fluids were not meant to stand up to the rigors or frequent track use or high horsepower.

And if i were you guys, i would drain the OEM fluids strait away. GO with Redline or Amsoil products rated for the proper driveline parts.

Here is what i use:

Tranny: Redline MT-90 or a MT-90 cocktail(i personally use MT-90 strait)
TC: Redline Heavy ShockProof(you can also use Light ShockProof)
Rear Diff: Redline 75w90(you can also use the shockproof's i listed above, but will need to use a friction modifier. You can get away with not using the friction modifier, but the rear diff will be a little noisey)

Amsoil also makes great products...i would use either of the two....

I will say this though, OEM DiaQueen would of been better than the stuff the OP was using. At least DiaQueen was rated to be used in the TC.

golgo13

iTrader: (134)

I track my evo and my local dealership knows this.

They swear up and down to stick with stock fluids. If the stock fluids can't handle it, then my local dealership gets to foot the bill to repair the damaged parts.

apagan01

iTrader: (299)

wow that stuff wasnt changed in a while , or to much metal in the oil.

do you track the car alot, does it see many heat cycles.


Guy's,,, thats is what you would expect typically with a non synthetic those oil's tend to get color very soon.