Filling a differential - what tool/device?

[HenryAZ]

Getting new oil into a differential does pose a problem of space constrictions. What do you use? A turkey baster? Some kind of pump? Looking online, most of the pumps I see are meant to screw onto a quart or gallon bottle of gear oil. Seeing as I would need both (diff takes 4 quarts, ****** takes almost 12 quarts, so gallon sizes are more economical there). I am looking at the Motive Products power fill pump, expensive, yes. The Lumax pumps get bad reviews, and only push 4cc per stroke. Rather than the Motive, I would like to find a hand pump, with its own bottle, that works and pushes more oil. Any suggestions welcome.

 

[Fedwrench]

suction gun

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/w...ms&gclid=CO6C8erSi-sCFQytfgodYUoB0w&gclsrc=ds


Lisle and others offer adapter caps that allow to squeeze a container into a fill plug.
https://www.lislecorp.com/specialty-tools/new-products/81450-adapt-a-cap

The pumps with flexible hose that attach directly to a container can be hit or miss but, they're pretty good as access goes.

 

[ex-x-fire]

Use a garden sprayer.

 

[SJay3660]

Transfer Pump like the one below. Got mine at Harbor Freight.
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/performance-tool-multi-use-pump-w1145/7071094-p?product_channel=local&store=5982&adtype=pla&product_channel=local&store_code=5982&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrb-R3NuL6wIVBdbACh339QZqEAQYBCABEgKZ__D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I use one of those flexible pour spouts that screws on to the top of the bottle and you can flex it or whatever to get the fluid in that has always worked for me.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[NUTTSGT]

Use a garden sprayer.

I think I'll try that.


I've use a piece of hose with a section of tubing clamped on for the pig end. The other end had a small funnel.

Slow, but it seems like filling rear rearends and trannies was never quick work.

 

[TuxThePenguin]

suction gun as previously mentioned

I think it was $20 or $30. One in the link above is even cheaper. I think mine's a Lumax? It shouldn't matter what brand (all that much).

Amsoil now sells gear oil in flexible packaging kind of like a Capri Sun for your differential. I haven't used it, but it looks like it might be convenient for people who don't feel like buying something like a suction gun.

Garden tools? Why? I mean even if they work... the suction gun linked is < $20...

 

[CGarage]

The Amsoil hand-pumps work great.
https://www.amsoil.com/p/bottle-hand-pump-g2039/

I have a few Offroad cars including a H1 that have large capacity transfer cases and diffs.
Transmission is up there, too. But filling is done under the hood (I use a funnel going into the dipstick orifice).

 

[signcrafter]

I've been using garden sprayers for years now. Can buy one for each type of fluid you use since they so cheap. I put a tire valve stem in mine and a pressure gauge and can use air compressor to pressurize it. Just be careful. I also have made up my own valve and set of quick change ends for it out of soft copper tubing. Works great.

 

[ER70S-2]

Just run a 1/2" piece of vinyl tubing up through the wheel well, push the gear oil nozzle into the tubing, and squeeze it. No need to overthink it or buy special pumps and what-not. You can, but it's not necessary.

 

[CGarage]

You need multiple hand pumps, too. I do not cross contaminate pumps or mix fluids. Some diff oils are potentially rough on yellow metals found in transmissions.

 

[Wrench97]

12 qts for the trans?
Buy a 5 gal bucket of oil and use a Lincoln pump.


https://www.tooldiscounter.com/product/lincoln-industrial-lever-action-bucket-pump-ling400

 

[RTM]

The Amsoil hand-pumps work great.
https://www.amsoil.com/p/bottle-hand-pump-g2039/
e).

Last time I did this, decades ago, I bought a pump like this, as I had zero clearance above the fill hole. Worked great. Unfortunately, at that time, it cost more than that does now, so was a bit more painful to buy. Just threaded right into the plastic bottle, and away I went.

 

[dkroth]

Use a garden sprayer.

One for diff fluid, one for trans fluid. Add a $2 Schrader valve and a $6 pressure gauge to save yourself the pumping.







.

 

[bdbecker]

Wife had a bunch of jello shot syringes left over from a bachelorette party. They have proven to be a pretty handy tool for various tasks around the garage, including changing diff oil. 2oz at a time isn't going to win any races, but it works and they're cheap.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07KKL39HP/ref=sspa_mw_detail_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[CGarage]

Last time I did this, decades ago, I bought a pump like this, as I had zero clearance above the fill hole. Worked great. Unfortunately, at that time, it cost more than that does now, so was a bit more painful to buy. Just threaded right into the plastic bottle, and away I went.

If you sign up as a preferred customer they cost even less.
I have 4 or 5 of these pumps and I label them by fluid type.
I have 15 grease guns also....don’t cross contaminate fluids...it’s amateur.

 

[Legion Prime]

Wife had a bunch of jello shot syringes left over from a bachelorette party. They have proven to be a pretty handy tool for various tasks around the garage, including changing diff oil. 2oz at a time isn't going to win any races, but it works and they're cheap.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C71C1LH/?tag=atomicindus08-20

These may be a touch quicker.
3 Pack 150ml Syringes @ Amazon

 

[M6erfan]

Wife had a bunch of jello shot syringes left over from a bachelorette party. They have proven to be a pretty handy tool for various tasks around the garage, including changing diff oil. 2oz at a time isn't going to win any races, but it works and they're cheap.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0822SDKS9/?tag=atomicindus08-20

These may be a touch quicker.
3 Pack 150ml Syringes @ Amazon

Or this 500ml syringe...

https://www.amazon.com/Syringes-Dispensing-Scientific-Watering-Refilling/dp/B0822SDKS9/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=500ml+syringe&qid=1596910570&s=industrial&sr=1-3

They're are great for motorcycles. Fork oil, motor oil, gear oil...

 

[Ralf11]

The Amsoil hand-pumps work great.
https://www.amsoil.com/p/bottle-hand-pump-g2039/

I have a few Offroad cars including a H1 that have large capacity transfer cases and diffs.
Transmission is up there, too. But filling is done under the hood (I use a funnel going into the dipstick orifice).

that looks like it is easy to use and it's cheap

I have a transfer pump but if it every breaks will get this.

Warm the oil up in a hot water bath - esp. in winter

be sure the car is level & do not over fill (see the manual for the level they want it at)

 

[M6erfan]

The Amsoil hand-pumps work great.
https://www.amsoil.com/p/bottle-hand-pump-g2039/

I have a few Offroad cars including a H1 that have large capacity transfer cases and diffs.
Transmission is up there, too. But filling is done under the hood (I use a funnel going into the dipstick orifice).

that looks like it is easy to use and it's cheap

I have a transfer pump but if it every breaks will get this.

I've had one for about 15 years, I think mine was from Redline oil though (probably the same as the Amsoil). It works well.

There's a ton of them on AMZN...
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=gear+oil+pump

 

[paulsomlo]

I can tell you what not to use: https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/VME818

I didn't expect much for $5, but I got less than I paid - far less. The check valve never seemed to work right, it would **** up fluid and dump it right back into the container. I ended up with a mess and all Valvoline offered was an apology.

 

[Knotgoalie]

There is always the old racer trick of putting the correct quantity of lube in a large zip lock bag, seal it and put it inside the diff case then bolt the cover on. When the gears turn, the bag tears and the diff is lubed.

 

[ex-x-fire]

This looks good & cheap.

 

[zendriver]

Transfer Pump like the one below. Got mine at Harbor Freight.
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/performance-tool-multi-use-pump-w1145/7071094-p?product_channel=local&store=5982&adtype=pla&product_channel=local&store_code=5982&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrb-R3NuL6wIVBdbACh339QZqEAQYBCABEgKZ__D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I use this one as well, to fill an outboard lower unit, that has to be filled from the lower drain hole.

 

[CGarage]

There is always the old racer trick of putting the correct quantity of lube in a large zip lock bag, seal it and put it inside the diff case then bolt the cover on. When the gears turn, the bag tears and the diff is lubed.

That is a really bad idea. Are cars really not coming with drain and fill plugs???

 

[CGarage]

I would add a drain and fill plug before I ever did that.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Messy but cheap. Get a piece of vinyl hose about 1'-2' long. Drill a hole in the cap of the bottle if it has a flat cap that is about 2 sizes smaller than the OD of the hose. Force the hose in through the hole down to the bottom of the bottle. Squeeze.

 

[Ralf11]

Gravity works too.

I heard recently that it's all over the universe, so I think we're set.

 

[CGarage]

Quality synthetic differential fluid and transmission fluid averages around $10 USD/Qt.
I like these MacGyver third world solutions. But you’d risk the fluid to save the price (~$10) of a reusable pump??? Buy once, cry once.

 

[ER70S-2]

There is always the old racer trick of putting the correct quantity of lube in a large zip lock bag, seal it and put it inside the diff case then bolt the cover on. When the gears turn, the bag tears and the diff is lubed.

Melted up plastic sounds great for the bearings! You would have to be an idiot to do this.

 

[ER70S-2]

Messy but cheap. Get a piece of vinyl hose about 1'-2' long. Drill a hole in the cap of the bottle if it has a flat cap that is about 2 sizes smaller than the OD of the hose. Force the hose in through the hole down to the bottom of the bottle. Squeeze.

You're late to the party. And if you're not a slob, it's not messy.

 

[CGarage]

He should NOT have posted that message. There are folks who are not mechanically savvy who may not know better. Not cool to share bad information.

 

[Qualitytools]

The Garden pressure pump has been the best suggestion so far. Thanks for sharing

 

[tym]

Transfer Pump like the one below. Got mine at Harbor Freight.
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/performance-tool-multi-use-pump-w1145/7071094-p?product_channel=local&store=5982&adtype=pla&product_channel=local&store_code=5982&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrb-R3NuL6wIVBdbACh339QZqEAQYBCABEgKZ__D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

That's what I used. As I recall, there was a cheap HF one and a super-cheap HF one. The super-cheap leaks like a sieve and went straight in the trash. The cheap one worked for me, so it's good for at least one use.

 

[Qualitytools]

A step up from the Cheap HF transfer pump is the one from Autozone. The difference is that it has a push release on both ends of the hose so you don't end up with a hose slipping out and oil everywhere, been there and not fun to have oil leaking all over. It runs about $11 at Autozone

 

[CGarage]

You need to read the manual when you fill the diffs.
I have a 4x4 vehicle that requires the vehicle be on the ground to fill the diffs so that the suspension is under compression and the rear wheel bearings get enough oil. If it is on a lift you can’t get a full fill (according to the manual).

 

[HenryAZ]

Thanks for all the replies. I like the transfer pump suggestion (how much does it move per stroke?), and the 500 cc syringe suggestion. 500 cc =~ 1 pint, so for a diff that takes 4 quarts, that's 8 syringe loads, not too much of a bother. Also the garden sprayer suggestion is a good one.

Some transfer pump reviews I read complained of them leaking, or just blowing off the end when transferring heavier gear oil. Good brands?

 

[pbon]

I have used the orange and black pumps that HF sells, an old school metal cannister metal push pump, and the slow but very controllable small screw top pumps that fit some 1L plastic oil containers. They all work.

 

[flyt100]

This has been my go to:

OTC (2359) Oil Suction Gun https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FJT0304/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[CGarage]

Some transfer pump reviews I read complained of them leaking, or just blowing off the end when transferring heavier gear oil. Good brands?

Buy the Amsoil pump. It screws onto the top of the one quart containers and has adapters that allow you to use it with containers of different sizes. It is perfectly engineered and inexpensive. And reusable.