Gear unit oil analysis

[Augoose]

I drained all the fluid from a spare Volvo SX outdrive I picked up. I don't have any information on the history of the drive, what type of gear oil it was last filled with, nor when it was last changed. I also don't know when the last time was that it was in the water.

I'm trying to determine if there are any potential issues based on the oil condition?
There were no metal shavings on the drain bolts and the outdrive shifts (manually by hand) well in and out of gear. I've read that "tan" coloring of the oil suggests water intrusion which scares me because its definitely tan but it also has a greenish hue to it too. I don't think its milky though.
As I continued to fill up the cup it got really dark - so much I couldn't see through it. Could it have been burned?

Observations?
Thanks

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: Gear unit oil analysis

Some of those samples don't even look like the same oil.

What it does look like is you might have a couple types of oil mixed together.

I am not an expert, but I'm not thinking water. I'm thinking old fluid that was ran too long and that was mixed with some other fluid. Isn't Merc fluid blue?

 

[Augoose]

Re: Gear unit oil analysis

Some of those samples don't even look like the same oil.

What it does look like is you might have a couple types of oil mixed together.

I am not an expert, but I'm not thinking water. I'm thinking old fluid that was ran too long and that was mixed with some other fluid. Isn't Merc fluid blue?

I know right? As I kept pouring, it went from tan to green to black. Glad you agree it doesn't look like water. Maybe a synthetic that has sat for a long time?

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Gear unit oil analysis

Looks like a mix of two different fluids to me too. Silverbullet, yeah the merc stuff is a bluish green color and appears almost black when filled in a bucket like that.

Augoose I've seen water in both of those colors of oil, and it is pretty obvious. You get milky swirls in it. I think you're alright, the previous owner just didn't get every drop of the tan colored lube out before refilling with the darker lube.

 

[Augoose]

Re: Gear unit oil analysis

Thanks guys - feeling good about the oil and I agree- defintely no evidence of that milky look.