R380 Emulsified Oil

Defender91 · Jan 15, 2022

Hi,
Got round to doing the oil change on the gearbox in my Disco 2 a month or so back, but when I drained it it looked more like beige Dulux. I only bought the car back in march so don't know when the oil was last changed, but I know it did sit for a while so hoped it would be fine once it had been refilled. However, changed it again yesterday and there was still a very definite beige colour to the oil. Anyone got any ideas where the most likely point of entry is for water getting in? I've never taking it through water of any depth, or is it possible that it wasn't completely gone from the first drain/ refill?
I took a sample of the first lot of oil and let it sit, took about three weeks before it started to seperate.
Pics:
1- First drain
2 - Second drain
3 - Seperated oil

Thanks in advance.

Landmark2 · Jan 15, 2022

Hi, Can I assume it's a manual g/box? There is a breather pipe I believe, so make sure that hasn't come off. It definately looks like water has got in. If a manual box make sure you use MTF94 oil.
If it was mine I'd run it for a short while then change it agine to be sure.
Griff

Defender91 · Jan 16, 2022

Thanks for the reply, yes its a manual.
I'll have a look at the breather, guess the centre console has to come out to see it?
Meant to change the oil as you say not long after I found it the first time, but weather and other things got in the way, but I'll order another batch to do it again ,just hope it hasn't done too much damage,there was a fair bit of metal on the magnet.
Is there an oil cooler for the gearbox or anywhere else you think it could be getting in?

TheMunster · Jan 17, 2022

A few r380s had oil coolers but not usually UK spec Discos. You'll have a pair of pipes running forward from the side of the box if you have a cooler. You should be able to get at the breather to feel if its disconnected from below. It runs froward then up the bulkhead.
If its been stood for a long time in the right circumstances then condensation can cause it. I would agree with landmark and do 2 or 3 changes a few 100 miles apart to flush the oil through.

lynall · Jan 17, 2022

Cheap atf, drain refill do a few miles repeat oil change, maybe repeat agian then refill with the correct oil.
Never seen water in oil on a 77 or 380 before, have seen it on trucks, and there was always an entry point, ie breather pipe was not high enough, or in one case sewage tanker had a split tank right above the axle breather.
Assuming breather set up is the same as 200/300 then the pipe will go up into the engine bay, so maybe pipe can somehow get water into it?

TheMunster · Jan 17, 2022

Aye dexron II is ok to use in these boxes, it's cheap and has cleaning stuff in it. Then you can fill with what you prefer when it comes out clean

P38 Monkey · Jan 17, 2022

Just to make sure it is not coolant getting in through a crack in the head or block, or a failed head gasket, you might consider putting UV tracer dye in the coolant. Cheap enough stuff, and you can buy a UV torch for a few quid. That way you can see if there is any UV dye in the oil.

Defender91 · Jan 18, 2022

Thanks for all the replies.
I've ordered another batch of Mtf94 , I've got a load of atf so will run that through at the weekend.
I will have a look at the breather on my lunch break today.
Ive been warming it up first before draining it, is this right?

Defender91 · Jan 18, 2022

Just had a look underneath, the breather looks fine both under the bonnet and on the gearbox.

Defender91 · Jan 23, 2022

Had a minute to pull the centre console out today, looks like I should have done it sooner.
The selector housing gaiter had multiple splits in it, I'm guessing that the water was splashing up the inside of the tunnel then dripping back in through.
Suffice to say a new one is in the way.
Thanks for the help.

R380 Emulsified Oil

Defender91

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Landmark2

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Defender91

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TheMunster

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lynall

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TheMunster

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P38 Monkey

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Defender91

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Defender91

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Defender91

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