chain case gear oil type? - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

paintexpt · 09-24-2008, 09:09 AM

Hello, can I use Valvoline Synthetic 75w90 in my chain case? polaris and ski doo, or what is the suggestion as I have a couple bottles of that & as expensive as it is I would like to use it up Thanks

**BC_Dan** · 09-24-2008, 10:00 AM

Gear oil is pretty thick, I would use something thinner. A lot of people use ATF fluid (me included). When you think about it, the chaincase contains two sprockets and a chain, not gears. There is no "gear to gear" contact, so the shear strength of the lubrication is not needed. Something thinner is actually better at getting inside the chain to lubricate the chain.

That said, I don't think that it's critically important what is in there, as long as SOMETHING is. A lot of guys have used gear oil with no issues, some use motor oil with no issues, some claim that you should just bite the bullet and pay the 6-9 bucks for the 12 or so ounces of chaincase fluid. You just don't hear much about problems with a chaincase due to the oil type...

paintexpt · 09-24-2008, 02:13 PM

thanks Dan I appreciate it

**BC_Dan** · 09-24-2008, 02:42 PM

You're welcome! It's nice to talk with someone in the same time zone every once in a while! Come on, SNOW!

paintexpt · 09-24-2008, 09:03 PM

Yea, Im chompin at the bit, hear the snow level is suppose to drop to 6000 ft, Thats about Clockum pass level, I cant wait, im too excited to sleep haha, put the boat away and have been getting sleds ready for a couple weeks now

**BC_Dan** · 09-24-2008, 10:28 PM

We had a skiff on the passes out of here (southern Oregon) over a month ago, enough to cover the highways in white. I'm REALLY hoping it's going to be a season like last year!! I had to go out and start a couple of my sleds last week, just to get that 2-stroke fix. I love the smell of 2-stroke in the morning

paintexpt · 09-25-2008, 08:10 AM

I'm thinking it should be better than last year from what we have had for weather, only 20 real hot days over 95 this year Thats unusual, it was 28 and frosty up by our cabin at 2500 ft last sunday, I cant wait BWAAAAAAAP BWAAAAAAP

paintexpt · 10-10-2008, 08:29 AM

Hey Dan. Got some snow on blewett pass yesterday, yea buddy, here it comes

Ultrafrozen · 10-10-2008, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC_Dan

...When you think about it, the chaincase contains two sprockets and a chain, not gears. There is no "gear to gear" contact, so the shear strength of the lubrication is not needed...

My Polaris and Ski-Doo both have gears in the chaincase: mechanical reverse. Keep in mind that the chaincase oil also lubricates the jackshaft and drive shaft bearings on this side.

Any type of oil is better than none. but you only change this oil yearly so I recommend using the proper type. Sometimes rubber seal material is adversely affected by the wrong type of lube.

Have fun in the snow!

**BC_Dan** · 10-10-2008, 01:01 PM

Ultrafrozen, good point about the mechanical reverse. There is definitely gear to gear contact there.

Paintexpt... we had flakes teasing us here last night, the passes out of town were all coated with white this morning!

I sure love this global warming

brown435 · 10-10-2008, 04:19 PM

I have run ATF for at least 5,000 miles will no ill effedt.

In fact there are les "normal" shaving in on the magnet than with gear old.

660jeffr · 12-17-2008, 06:21 AM

Speaking of mechanical reverse, I have an 02 600 xc sp and I can't figure out how to get the chaincase cover off. I have all the bolts out and I can pull the cover out and see the chain and gears but the reverse mechanism seems to be what's keeping it from lifting out. Anyone know how it comes apart?

skidoosledder · 12-17-2008, 09:27 AM

I use 10W30 and 5W20. whatever engine oil I have laying around

grizzzlybear81 · 12-17-2008, 11:14 AM

i use amsoil chain case oil but can't find it online for some reason