OT - Why does gear oil stink?
10-02-2003, 06:44 PM
#16
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Naw, just talking about some of the folks at vintage races who don't do that and it gets all stinky. I couldn't figure out what it was at first until I asked a guy I used to work with and he said it was old Castrol. He used to AutoX a Sunbeam Tiger (among other things) way back in the day.
10-02-2003, 08:20 PM
#18
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Originally posted by fpena944
What if you have a date that evening after spilling it on yourself?
What if you have a date that evening after spilling it on yourself?
10-02-2003, 08:42 PM
#19
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Agree.. 90wt oil stinks.
One of main additives to gear oil is.... LEAD. Lead, being a soft and pliable metal, cushions the teeth on gears, and the oil lubricates the non contact areas. If you would put an amount of gear oil into a centrifuge, you would separate the small particles of lead from it.
As said above, because of processing, there is a higher sulfur content as well. I think the combination of lead and sulfur give it that heavy wet smell.
One of main additives to gear oil is.... LEAD. Lead, being a soft and pliable metal, cushions the teeth on gears, and the oil lubricates the non contact areas. If you would put an amount of gear oil into a centrifuge, you would separate the small particles of lead from it.
As said above, because of processing, there is a higher sulfur content as well. I think the combination of lead and sulfur give it that heavy wet smell.
10-02-2003, 08:56 PM
#21
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It is mined from the depths of the earth and is composed of the liquified remains of Tyrectumsaurus Rex, which died off in the Bean-o-lithic Period. This same subject was discussed in one of my porsche training classes in Reno.
10-03-2003, 03:41 AM
#22
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This may be a bunch of crap but I believe I read once that they make oils and other fluids different colors and smells so that you can tell them apart. This makes trouble shooting easier--example--what is that red stuff on the garage floor? Gear oil smells awful I agree but you wouldn't make the mistake of putting it in your engine then would you? Also, I find that the synthetic gear oil doesn't smell as bad to me as the regular stuff. If I'm wrong I'm sure someone will flame me.
