Chain Case oil can i use a 75w synthetic ?
- Thread starter kpagel
- Start date
D.B. Cooper
Member
If you're looking to save some $$$$$$$$$$$$$ just use AUTOMATIC Transmission fluid.
I've used it for years in ALL brands of sleds
I've used it for years in ALL brands of sleds
mjkaliszak
New member
I have used synthetic no-name brand for years also , never had a problem. The ONLY exception was that stupid " diamond juice " which I must admit I bought only because all the superstition around those diamond drives. Nothing like $15 for 12 oz......
Might try the ATF this year.
Might try the ATF this year.
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If you do use ATF this year, let us know if all goes well......And if not. Since I have only one with the DD, I'm gonna stick with the pricey stuff for now.
anonomoose
New member
Why would you want to use that heavy oil in the chain case?
Unless you have the diamond drive setup....all you have is a chain and a couple bearings to lubricate at lower temps than you would ever get with your bike. That's why many use the tranny fluid....keep it light....and keep it full. Anything will work....but in cold temps, light is good.
Unless you have the diamond drive setup....all you have is a chain and a couple bearings to lubricate at lower temps than you would ever get with your bike. That's why many use the tranny fluid....keep it light....and keep it full. Anything will work....but in cold temps, light is good.
mxz500rider
Member
I used 50w syn tranny fluid in my 02 edge. Now I have a '11 shift 600. So I'm not sure what I'm gonna use cuz it has warranty till 2015.
This seems to be as large of a debate as witch 2 stroke oil is the best
from my experience 75w90 synthetic gear oil has worked well for me, my rev has over 10000 miles, and no issues, still the original gears and chain. Just my $.02 as 27 years as a mechanic. It is all very simple, the idea is to keep 2 gears and a chain wet with oil. I have in a pinch, fixed a buddys 96 mach z chain case out on the trail, only thing we had for oil was injection oil with us, we finished the trip without event. on a later trip with him, I asked if he ever changed out the injection oil in the chain case for regular chain case oil, his answer was no, he ended up riding the remainder of the season with injection oil in the chain case, just over 2800 miles, no issues.
from my experience 75w90 synthetic gear oil has worked well for me, my rev has over 10000 miles, and no issues, still the original gears and chain. Just my $.02 as 27 years as a mechanic. It is all very simple, the idea is to keep 2 gears and a chain wet with oil. I have in a pinch, fixed a buddys 96 mach z chain case out on the trail, only thing we had for oil was injection oil with us, we finished the trip without event. on a later trip with him, I asked if he ever changed out the injection oil in the chain case for regular chain case oil, his answer was no, he ended up riding the remainder of the season with injection oil in the chain case, just over 2800 miles, no issues.
Some, in an effort to save money use Automatic Transmission fluid or gear lube in their snowmobile/atv chain cases and gear cases. Neither fluid is engineered for these applications. ATF is a hydraulic fluid formulated without the extreme pressure additives needed to provide enhanced wear protection. Automotive gear lube is designed to lubricate hypoid gears and is too thick for proper chain and gear lubrication in powersports application, impairing circulation and leading to decreased efficiency.
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polarisrider1
New member
And my 2 cents would be Amsoil synthetic chaincase oil. 9-11oz. has never killed anyone. I always pull side case off when changing and then inspect gears, chain and tensioner. Also I wipe out the sludge with cover off. Little more work, but if you leave in the solids then the oil change is somewhat incomplete. The little magnet on dip stick catches very little.
winter_time
New member
I personally run Amsoil ATF so obviously I am not doing it to try to save money. I have put over 9000 miles on a chain case without replacing any bearings, chains, or gears and when i check machines that use a gear lube I tend to find more metal shavings laying in the case. I really cant say which is better but I can say in my mind I think ATF is better.
I disagree on your assessment on ATF, or at least syn ATF. Many car manufacturers use syn ATF in their manual transmissions now. So apparently, it is a good lubricant for gears. Plus it's used in 4x4 transfer cases as well, which also have chains running on sprockets, So it must be good for a chain drive lube too.
mxz500rider
Member
So if I don't use what Polaris recommends in chain cases, would it void my warranty if I choose to use something else, on a side note, what do these new sleds come with for fluid in the case?