65k Differential Fluid Change

Diverdown3 · 02-21-2016, 03:11 PM

Bought my Z from the original owner at just over 59,000 miles. Today I changed the differential fluid at just over 65,000 miles. The fluid was very dark, but not black, and definitely smelled burned. I suspect the fluid was the production fill. Additionally, the magnetic drain plug had a heavy coating. The coating came of with paper towels and had the viscosity of a thick paste.

Given the heavy coating on the magnet, I will be changing this fluid during my next oil chage. I'm sure there's still a decent amount of metal coating internal surfaces, and will be washed away by the new fluid.

If you have not changed the differential fluid in your Z, I recommend you consider doing so.

Check out the photos.

Z-Girl 12 · 02-21-2016, 03:33 PM

Wow!!! Good looking out!!!

Burnt350 · 02-23-2016, 11:51 PM

Good lawd!! Doing my diff and the tranny this weekend.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

barncobob · 02-24-2016, 10:01 AM

im sure u didnt use factory fill, what brand/weight did u go with

FPenvy · 02-24-2016, 10:05 AM

even at 30k miles it's awful looking.

happy i did mine when i did. might just do it again when i do my motor oil change.

Diverdown3 · 02-24-2016, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barncobob

im sure u didnt use factory fill, what brand/weight did u go with

Nothing exotic. I've been a long time user of Blackstone Labs oil analysis services. Long story-short, unless you have a severe duty application like racing and a high-end engine build, even low cost conventional fluids are sufficient for regularly serviced vehicles. Even so, I do tend to buy synthetic blends and full syns. In this case I went with a full synthetic Mobil product at factory recommended weight of 75-90w. I may go with a 140w ceiling on next fill due to long service intervals of a differential.

vtec to vvel · 03-09-2016, 10:32 PM

i did mines @ 55k and the fluid was a dark honey color.

also, compared to the 350Z, changing the RD fluid is a tight squeeze for the 370Z, as I had trouble getting my torch wrench to fit with the exhaust piping in the way.

Diverdown3 · 03-10-2016, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtec to vvel

i did mines @ 55k and the fluid was a dark honey color.

also, compared to the 350Z, changing the RD fluid is a tight squeeze for the 370Z, as I had trouble getting my torch wrench to fit with the exhaust piping in the way.

I just had to use a simple extension on my ratchet.

Did you mean "torque" wrench? I'm pretty sure you didn't use a torch during your fluid change.

D.Stillwell · 03-10-2016, 07:31 AM

I changed mine at around 6k miles and already it looked like crap. Also with the factory fill I used to get this light burning type smell coming from the diff when driving hard..I think the factory fluid is garbage

Now that is all gone, I used Motul 75w90 its very easy to DIY on this job.

Diverdown3 · 03-10-2016, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D.Stillwell

I changed mine at around 6k miles and already it looked like crap. Also with the factory fill I used to get this light burning type smell coming from the diff when driving hard..I think the factory fluid is garbage

Now that is all gone, I used Motul 75w90 its very easy to DIY on this job.

It would be interesting, albeit expensive, to see what the Motul product looks and smells like at 6k of similar driving.

From what I've read, it is reported by those with differential fluid temperature sensors in their 370zs that the fluid temp continually rises when driven at constant high speeds. For those who regularly drive an above average number of highway miles, I reccomend more frequent differential fluid changes than the interval specified by Nissan.

90 ST · 03-10-2016, 10:23 AM

I change mine ever 60k miles with redline, been good.

On a side note filling it can be a bitch, i'll post a pic later of the pump I made.

Used a new syrup pump from starbucks cut down it fit in a redline bottle.

D.Stillwell · 03-10-2016, 10:27 AM

^^ I agree, I do lots of hwy driving and I know for a fact that fluid heats up pretty good at those speeds over time. I'll probably change it again during my 18k oil change...just to see what it looks like after about 12k miles of use

^^ @ 90 ST.....dude, just get the cheapest pump from any auto store like auto zone, it worked perfectly for me

90 ST · 03-10-2016, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D.Stillwell

^^ I agree, I do lots of hwy driving and I know for a fact that fluid heats up pretty good at those speeds over time. I'll probably change it again during my 18k oil change...just to see what it looks like after about 12k miles of use

^^ @ 90 ST.....dude, just get the cheapest pump from any auto store like auto zone, it worked perfectly for me

I did the first time..didn't like it. The one i made is way cleaner.

D.Stillwell · 03-10-2016, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 90 ST

I did the first time..didn't like it. The one i made is way cleaner.

Sounds nice. Do u mind sharing the way you made yours? Perhaps I'd like your style better.

Diverdown3 · 03-10-2016, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 90 ST

I did the first time..didn't like it. The one i made is way cleaner.

Sounds like it deserves it's own thread.

02-21-2016, 03:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
Diverdown3 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Indiana Posts: 24 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 10	65k Differential Fluid Change Bought my Z from the original owner at just over 59,000 miles. Today I changed the differential fluid at just over 65,000 miles. The fluid was very dark, but not black, and definitely smelled burned. I suspect the fluid was the production fill. Additionally, the magnetic drain plug had a heavy coating. The coating came of with paper towels and had the viscosity of a thick paste. Given the heavy coating on the magnet, I will be changing this fluid during my next oil chage. I'm sure there's still a decent amount of metal coating internal surfaces, and will be washed away by the new fluid. If you have not changed the differential fluid in your Z, I recommend you consider doing so. Check out the photos. labrador likes this. Last edited by Diverdown3; 02-21-2016 at 03:24 PM.

02-21-2016, 03:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
Z-Girl 12 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 4,105 Drives: Spirited Rep Power: 11716	Wow!!! Good looking out!!! Diverdown3 likes this. __________________ 2012 Z-SOLD 2014 Nismo #565 Fast Intentions CBE/HFC/Swift/SPC/RJM/H&R-15/20mm/Z1 CAI/Headers/Intake Manifold w/Uprev Tune 328.31whp/263.64tq

02-23-2016, 11:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Burnt350 Base Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 46 Drives: 2012 370z Sport Rep Power: 10	65k Differential Fluid Change Good lawd!! Doing my diff and the tranny this weekend. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Diverdown3 likes this. __________________ 2012 370z Sport - Black Cherry Metallic

02-24-2016, 10:01 AM	#4 (permalink)
barncobob A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: hangtown, CA Posts: 1,164 Drives: 16 370Z auto Rep Power: 590	im sure u didnt use factory fill, what brand/weight did u go with Diverdown3 likes this.

03-09-2016, 10:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
vtec to vvel A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: 813 Posts: 3,915 Drives: 13 Z Rep Power: 502909	i did mines @ 55k and the fluid was a dark honey color. also, compared to the 350Z, changing the RD fluid is a tight squeeze for the 370Z, as I had trouble getting my torch wrench to fit with the exhaust piping in the way. __________________ Don't like what I post? Too bad. I really don't give a sh!t

03-10-2016, 07:31 AM	#9 (permalink)
D.Stillwell Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Snakeden Branch, VA Posts: 396 Drives: Fairlady Z34/6MT Rep Power: 19	I changed mine at around 6k miles and already it looked like crap. Also with the factory fill I used to get this light burning type smell coming from the diff when driving hard..I think the factory fluid is garbage Now that is all gone, I used Motul 75w90 its very easy to DIY on this job. Smokey Nagata likes this.

03-10-2016, 10:23 AM	#11 (permalink)
90 ST A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Calgary Posts: 1,861 Drives: 90 and 15 GMC Sierra Rep Power: 421	I change mine ever 60k miles with redline, been good. On a side note filling it can be a bitch, i'll post a pic later of the pump I made. Used a new syrup pump from starbucks cut down it fit in a redline bottle. __________________ Not driving your car to keep it in nice shape, is like not wanting to smash your girlfriend so she stays tight for the next guy.

03-10-2016, 10:27 AM	#12 (permalink)
D.Stillwell Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Snakeden Branch, VA Posts: 396 Drives: Fairlady Z34/6MT Rep Power: 19	^^ I agree, I do lots of hwy driving and I know for a fact that fluid heats up pretty good at those speeds over time. I'll probably change it again during my 18k oil change...just to see what it looks like after about 12k miles of use ^^ @ 90 ST.....dude, just get the cheapest pump from any auto store like auto zone, it worked perfectly for me 90 ST likes this.

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