eriksat1

I was on some other threads saying how I always use 80W 90 gear oil in my chain case and never had a problem, but I am now eating crow and switching to synthetic chain case lube. Here is what made me change my mind. A service bulletin from John Deere a long time ago. They used to always recommend SAE 90 in JD LiquiFire's in the early 1980's.

O.M.-M67673/79 for 1978 Cyclone/Liquifire recommending SAE 90 if oil must be added

O.M. for 1979 Trailfires neglected to indicate oil type but the 1980 O.M. continued with the SAE 90 recommendation

O.M. for 1982 Models specificly recommend API-GL5 (SAE 90)

Service Information Bulletin From John Deere M81-50-9

Problem: SAE 90 oil does not always flow during initial operation in colder snowmobiling temperatures

Solution: Use J.D. Hy-Gard TY6237 or ATF in chain case.

This is what I was told by an old JD mechanic
"There is a synthetic chain case lube that is preferable for all chain cases silent or not. Use this in place of oil."

"In case someone is wondering, 90wt gear lube in cold temperatures doesn't lubricate. Evidence of this problem is shot or seized chains, worn or broken toothed gears, melted bearing seals, loose bearings not cause by rust, and of course shot tension adjusters. Extreme damage may occur to case if chain snaps and or bearings disintegrate."

Enough said. I'm eating Crow. I am switching to the synthetic chain case lube.

__________________
I didn't claw my way to the top of the food chain to eat vegetables!
1980 John Deere LiquiFire
1990 Polaris Indy 500
1993 Polaris Indy Trail
1996 Arctic Cat 340 Puma

BC_Dan

Yep, you can get away with gear oil, but snowmobiles don't have gears, they have sprockets driving a chain, gear oil is too thick for sprockets

__________________
Rebuilding the fleet!
2008 RMK 600 155", 2006 RMK 600 144", 98 Indy 440, 95 Prowler 550 2-up, 1990 Indy 650

RIP, destroyed by fire 1-22-2008
04 RMK 800, 05 RMK 600, 02 RMK 800, 97 RMK 700

smallengineguy

Good times. Welcome to the club.

__________________
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IndianRvrShiver

Takes a big man!! We all do it at one time or another....like SEG said, "Welcome to the club!!"

__________________
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2003 AC F5 (Jr's Dec 07 SOTM & 2008 SOTY)
2003 AC F7 EFI SP (April 06 SOTM)
********************

ethan31

Well damn, i had the syn lube and everyone said to get 80-90w gear lube so i did. Now what?? Whats a good lube? For cheap, the local dealer has xps synthetic for $18-12oz.......that is crazy.

BC_Dan

Lots of people use ATF, it works great in transfer cases for 4x4 trucks. Cheap, too! My personal belief is that you can probably use just about any type of oil in there, as long as it is thin enough to lubricate properly in really cold conditions and you check it often to make sure it's not low. I put chaincase lube in mine this year, probably going to go to ATF next year.

__________________
Rebuilding the fleet!
2008 RMK 600 155", 2006 RMK 600 144", 98 Indy 440, 95 Prowler 550 2-up, 1990 Indy 650

RIP, destroyed by fire 1-22-2008
04 RMK 800, 05 RMK 600, 02 RMK 800, 97 RMK 700

eriksat1

Ethan31 you can order this from manufactures supply. This is a 12 oz bottle for $6.99 your chain case probably only takes about 6 ozs. Here is the link. SPEC-CCL - Spectro Full Synthetic Chain Case Oil

SPEC-CCL - Spectro Full Synthetic Chain Case Oil

Spectro Full Synthetic Chaincase Oil is designed to give your snowmobile maximum performance and protection, even at temperatures below -50 F. Lubricates all chains, bearings and roller bearings. Spectro's advanced formula prevents wear, rust, oxidation & foaming. Meets or exceeds manufactures specifications. Compatible with all mineral based oils. 12 oz bottle.

Suggested Retail Price: $8.00
Our Price: $6.99

__________________
I didn't claw my way to the top of the food chain to eat vegetables!
1980 John Deere LiquiFire
1990 Polaris Indy 500
1993 Polaris Indy Trail
1996 Arctic Cat 340 Puma

zakr84

i got 12 ounces of amsoil synthetic snowmobile/atv chain case oil from an auto parts store, i forget how much it was exactly but i know i wasn't anywhere near $18.

ethan31

Amsoil is like $7 on there site.

The reason i got the xps stuff is, its the only place around and i needed at the time. I about shit when they asked for $18. I googled it and online its like 8$.....robbers

eriksat1

Yea but add at least $6 for shipping and handling. I am ordering some but am also getting some other stuff with it like spark plugs so shipping is still $6

__________________
I didn't claw my way to the top of the food chain to eat vegetables!
1980 John Deere LiquiFire
1990 Polaris Indy 500
1993 Polaris Indy Trail
1996 Arctic Cat 340 Puma

BskidooC

I always use 75w-90 fully synthetic gear oil. Never had a problem and will most likely never stop using it.

__________________
when hell freezes over ill ride there to

lrnnorth

I used to use the gear oil but I switched to ATF and it seems to do better.

__________________
01 Polaris RMK 136"
- 01 600 VES Engine - Uni Air Filters
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01 Yamaha VK III 540 (The TANK)
Out Of Commission Till Next Year

Ditch hopper

just good ole fastion ATF? i found like 6 differnent kinds last night at walwart

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-1995 zr580- aaen pipe, epi clutch kit, camoplast ripsaw/120studs, 3inch riser, flybars, upgraded foxshocks, weisco pistons, lightly ported, 19tooth top 32thooth bottom soon to come bored carbs, plastic skis, new helix and ramps BRAAAP

-1994 indy trail 500- all stock, great on gas