Undriven Trans, metal in oil already?

DSM Jeff · 01-26-2008, 10:25 AM

I just spent a decent amount of money having my transmission rebuilt AGAIN by a rather big name shop. I installed the transmission and put in new Redline fluid. The car was pushed out of my garage and started to let the new engine come up to temp. I didn't get to drive it as I was waiting on a clutch line. I pushed the car back in and figure, let me just put it in first and it went in.
I decided to pick up a new flywheel with some extra cash. I drained the transmisson and see some metal flakes in the bottom of my drain pan. Not a couple specs, but there is quite a few and some are decent size.
Can anyone say whether this would be normal? I know when breaking in a transmission you're going to get some metal but I haven't even driven the car!

dsmcrazyspiff · 01-26-2008, 10:38 AM

Well thats your problem is you didnt drive your car. When u install a new trans you have to drive it to get the oil flowing around in there. If you dont the the gears spinning around in there dont have the right amount of oil and the bearings will dry up along with the rev brake, 5th synchro and the needle bearing under 5th gear. Not saying that is what happened but what could happen from not driving the car after a rebuild

DSM Jeff · 01-26-2008, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsmcrazyspiff

Well thats your problem is you didnt drive your car. When u install a new trans you have to drive it to get the oil flowing around in there. If you dont the the gears spinning around in there dont have the right amount of oil and the bearings will dry up along with the rev brake, 5th synchro and the needle bearing under 5th gear. Not saying that is what happened but what could happen from not driving the car after a rebuild

Basically all fluids filled and car started that day. 2 days later, oil drained. Car moved 2 car lengths. I Now have everything going back together and plan running the car on jackstands to let the trans fluid cover everything.
I just think its kind of odd to basically fill the trans, and drain it to find metal flakes on a new rebuild that I would assume be fully hot tanked as it said on the site.

JackM · 01-26-2008, 10:18 PM

Did the trans look clean when it was installed? How long did the car run? The gears are moving in the unit when the car is at idle, so if they are new I guess it could be possible that they are wearing in. I know the input shaft bearings can get a little upset if the car is started on a fresh trans due to very little lubrication reaching them. Did the trans make nose?

Jack

DSM Jeff · 01-26-2008, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackM

Did the trans look clean when it was installed? How long did the car run? The gears are moving in the unit when the car is at idle, so if they are new I guess it could be possible that they are wearing in. I know the input shaft bearings can get a little upset if the car is started on a fresh trans due to very little lubrication reaching them. Did the trans make nose?

Jack

The car ran for maybe 5 minutes. came up to temp, thermostat opened and that was it. I checked out the oil and it doesn't seem as bad as I was thinking. Just found it kind of odd to see some flakes like that. There was no unusual noises. Tomorrow morning I'm going to fire the car up and let it run in gear on jackstands to get some oil throughout the transmission. Finally got everything back together today. I didn't think it would be too bad to start the car up for a few minutes to run with out driving it.

JackM · 01-29-2008, 12:36 PM

It usually doesn't hurt it to let it idle for a little bit when new. What parts were replaced in the rebuild? Are there any new gears.

Jack

DSM Jeff · 01-29-2008, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackM

It usually doesn't hurt it to let it idle for a little bit when new. What parts were replaced in the rebuild? Are there any new gears.

Jack

Trans was sent out a 2nd time after it was leaking. While it was apart I had 3/4 double syncro'd. Not sure what was all involved but I do believe some other things were changed as well, Don't see my reciept. I had it up in the air on stands and let it run in gear for a while last night. Shifted through out the gears and it feels good. I usually change trans oil every 4,000 miles. Maybe I'll change it sooner to get a better feel.