Gear oil smell

[Rocket]

I have a 22 Bug Bend with Sasquatch 2.3 automatic, with 24000 miles.
Noticed the distinctive smell of gear oil while parked in the garage. Could this be from a vent??

Nothing is leaking.

Normal??

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[Valhalla]

Mine never has that smell. If you can get under it, I'd look for any damp look around engine and axle areas.

 

[Brian_B]

I agree - Not typical

Have you had any work done on it lately? Maybe some oil got spilled on a heat shield or a skid plate or something

 

[UncleBrad]

I changed the gear oil in my 2.3L manual transmission. It takes very little spillage to the nearby heat shield for the vapors to make its way into the cabin, because the whole thing sits right under the cabin air filter. I don't know about the automatics, but I do know that this is how that smell can make its way into the cabin. It's tight in there; I think it's best to get it on a lift with good lighting.

 

[crenca]

I changed the gear oil in my 2.3L manual transmission. It takes very little spillage to the nearby heat shield for the vapors to make its way into the cabin, because the whole thing sits right under the cabin air filter. I don't know about the automatics, but I do know that this is how that smell can make its way into the cabin. It's tight in there; I think it's best to get it on a lift with good lighting.

assuming you mean trans (and not diff), in hindsight would one or more disposable rags on that (exhaust I assume) heat shield have solved the problem?

 

[UncleBrad]

assuming you mean trans (and not diff), in hindsight would one or more disposable rags on that (exhaust I assume) heat shield have solved the problem?

Yes - the manual transmission, which awkwardly fills at the top. The front diff is far away from the cabin air intake.

A high-quality GP-4 synthetic WILL solve the cold-start noise and dramatically improve shifter feel for the Bronco manual transmission. However, this stuff will not simply wipe off with a rag; it leaves a slippery residue. Trust me on this.

 

[crenca]

Yes - the manual transmission, which awkwardly fills at the top. The front diff is far away from the cabin air intake.

A high-quality GP-4 synthetic WILL solve the cold-start noise and dramatically improve shifter feel for the Bronco manual transmission. However, this stuff will not simply wipe off with a rag; it leaves a slippery residue. Trust me on this.

Thanks for the insight. Changing this fluid is on my to do list, but I have yet (despite being under there plenty for oil changes, diff changes, etc.) eyeballed my manual tranny that much to get an idea of what is involved.

My thinking is that by per-emptively placing the rags on the exhaust it would absorb any-and-all spillage from the fluid change, but perhaps a more solid barrier (plastic maybe) under the rags would be needed as well to prevent any bleed through

 

[Rocket]

It’s gear oil, has that distinctive smell, pinions are dry, no spots on floor. Transfer case is dry.
I will check the levels in these three items.

 

[UncleBrad]

Thanks for the insight. Changing this fluid is on my to do list, but I have yet (despite being under there plenty for oil changes, diff changes, etc.) eyeballed my manual tranny that much to get an idea of what is involved.

My thinking is that by per-emptively placing the rags on the exhaust it would absorb any-and-all spillage from the fluid change, but perhaps a more solid barrier (plastic maybe) under the rags would be needed as well to prevent any bleed through

Excellent strategy! The Red Line 50604 MT-LV 70W/75W GL-4 oil I used is here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V1VW32J?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4

You'll need three quarts. Best $100 I ever spent; it literally transformed my manual gearbox. Makes you wonder what the Chinese put in there (and also makes me wonder if I should preemptively change my diff and transfer case oil)...

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