squiggs650

I just picked up a owners manual for my sled, and i was wondering about the oil in the chain case, I have a 90 indy 650 basic model and all it says is to use Polaris chain case oil, my ? is are there any other oils that would work i dont have a dealer near me and it seems to be a gear oil like in a truck.

Any answers would be great i dont want to put in wrong fluid and this is the last step i have till i can fire it up and make sure everything is ok so when it snows im ready to go...

Thanks everyone

Rczr600rider

Gear oil gets too thick when it's cold. Automatic transmission fluid will work.

ClassicIndy600

Rczr600rider - transmission fluid really? I have never heard that before. I always use a 80/90 gear oil and have never had any problems.

Rczr600rider

Yes, really. It's what my owners manual actually says to use on a couple of my sleds. In cold weather 80/90 sets up so thick it's hard to even poor it out of the bottle.

Polaris650freak

I run auto tranny oil too. Works good. In our drag sleds we run open chain case so we use jb brothers chain lube than.


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ClassicIndy600

Thanks guys, I have never heard of using tranny fluid, did not think it was thich enough for a gear/sprocket case. Even on the coldest day I can remove my cover and the gear oil will drain with no problems, its not like it freezes otherwise it would not be used in auto differentials. I can't see the thichness causing drag or any other issues, just simply to keep the sprockets and chain from overheating.

BC_Dan

If you think of it, gear oil is for gears. It has greater shear strength to protect gears in metal to metal contact. A chaincase has a chain and two sprockets, there's no great need for maximum sheer strength. ATF actually does great in the chaincase because it gets inside the chain links and helps lubricate them, as well as keep things cool. If I didn't have actual chaincase fluid, I would use ATF. It's a lot closer to chaincase fluid than gear oil is.

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no74falcon

I work in the automotive field and believe it or not, some manufacturers us ATF in standard transmissions, as well as transfer cases in 4WD trucks. Some also use multigrade motor oil, such as 5w30 or 10w30, in their standard transmissions. Do any of you see why you couldn't use a multigrade oil in the chaincase as well? Lighter than gear oil, and more lubricity than ATF.

JheLrey

Ditto... I've ran gear oil without problem as well

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ClassicIndy600

Gear oil is all I have ever used, its pretty cheap and keeps chain and sprockets very well lubed due to its thickness. Glad to hear someone else uses it. Thanks

Rczr600rider

Motor oil becomes tends to mix with air and foam up in a chaincase and can cause premature wear from lack of lubrication. ATF is designed to resist aeration.

XCRacer440

ATF for years here too. Most transfercases use it.

smokingcrater

realistically, pretty much any modern lube, either gear oil, atf, or 75w-90, is going to be perfectly fine in any chaincase. A snowmobile chain case is pretty much the least demanding application possible, and its rare to actually wear out a chain.

I personally like synthetic 75w-90. I don't like ATF because it can attack certain types of rubber seals. You won't know if your bearings/chaincase have any of those until its too late.

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1) 2000 Arctic cat ZR 700, which now thinks it is a 2001 ZR 600 EFI APV w/136" ripsaw. (for sale!)
2) 1995 Yamaha VMAX 600, which now thinks it is a Polaris! (Polaris x10 suspension, Polaris P85 clutch) (for sale!)
3) 2004 Yamaha Warrior
4) 2006 Yamaha Nytro

ClassicIndy600

I agree your bearings have rubber coatings over them that can be deteriorated by atf. It is very difficult to compare a sleds chaincase to an automatic tranny or transfer case.

RJ Gleason

I just use SAE30 [non-detergent] oil.

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dhridenh

yea atf or u can use the polaris or spectra oil for chain cases they are both synthetic oils and work great u dont want anything to think in there thin is good for cold weather

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94 polaris Indy 500 EFI SKS Snow King Special l/c and 95 polaris Indy Trail 500 f/c ooo yea love polaris BRAAAAPP

troverman

Was just at a sled shop getting some new bearings for my sled and the tech says "you've got chaincase oil, right? you're not planning on using gear oil or anything like that, are you?" I just told him I was all set, but fully intend on using gear oil, probably 90w. I think a snowmobile chaincase is very similar to an automotive transfer case, which typically consists of two spinning sprockets connected by a large chain in a bath of 90w gear oil. The gear oil will keep all the parts lubricated in very cold or very hot conditions. I know many other riders who have used gear oil on their sleds with no issues. Why would you pay more for chaincase-specific oil?

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wastedincome

WHY??Because screen name!!! lol. where in the 603 you from???

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ClassicIndy600

some folks apparently have to much money and they don't bother looking for alterative solutions that are just as good.

dhridenh

epping

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94 polaris Indy 500 EFI SKS Snow King Special l/c and 95 polaris Indy Trail 500 f/c ooo yea love polaris BRAAAAPP