Author Topic: Non-250r tech question for you guys... (Read 3973 times)

wilkin250r · « **on:** February 23, 2016, 12:18:00 AM »

So I got this old 1985 Honda TRX250, it's a small 2wd utility quad. It's shaft-drive, which means some sort of gear drive at the rear axle, much like a ring and pinion on a car differential.

I think this small gear housing at the rear axle got some water or contamination in it, and I want to flush it out without disassembling the whole thing. Problem is, the gear oil is SO thick, it won't drain out. I tried heating up the entire housing to thin the oil, but it STILL won't drain.

What can I add to the oil to thin it out, without risking damage to seals and stuff? I was thinking gasoline, because oil and gasoline are so chemically similar (both being petroleum products). Or maybe a thin oil, run it for a while to mix, and drain. Repeat. And repeat. And repeat again? Maybe brake cleaner?

I'm at a loss, I've never faced a problem like this before.

The norm · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2016, 12:27:31 AM »

You could use gas or transmission fluid. I would try the transmission fluid and ride it around to get it mixed then drain.

FerrinMotorsports · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2016, 12:45:47 AM »

Or try driving it around with diesel fuel instead of the trans fluid...What year is your TRX250?....I have an 85....The one with the racks right???

traxman · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2016, 12:46:11 AM »

Diesel would be my weapon of choice.. Throw some in and go for a small ride...

wilkin250r · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2016, 01:20:29 AM »

Quote from: FerrinMotorsports;64922

Or try driving it around with diesel fuel instead of the trans fluid...What year is your TRX250?....I have an 85....The one with the racks right???

Diesel sounds good, it's basically a cross between gasoline and oil. I'll probably have to fill and drain this thing several times to "rinse" it.

And yes, it's the one with the racks on it, with huge balloon rear tires and small front tires. I thought the previous owner just threw any old set of cheap tires on the rear, because it looks funny. I was surprised when I found out that Honda actually DESIGNED it this way. Mine is a 1985.

broken1 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2016, 02:22:33 AM »

This is off topic but this is the exact same quad that got our family into riding in 1985:lol:. I'll never forget when my dad brought it home from the local Honda shop. I really thought I was something at 10 riding it in the dunes. It's still sitting in the shed but don't run...... They do make a decent utility quad, hopefully its a good runner for you.

Skeans1 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2016, 09:16:28 AM »

Quote from: wilkin250r;64924

Diesel sounds good, it's basically a cross between gasoline and oil. I'll probably have to fill and drain this thing several times to "rinse" it.

And yes, it's the one with the racks on it, with huge balloon rear tires and small front tires. I thought the previous owner just threw any old set of cheap tires on the rear, because it looks funny. I was surprised when I found out that Honda actually DESIGNED it this way. Mine is a 1985.

Diesel is a great cutter for gear oil and grease I'd flush it a few times as well.

FerrinMotorsports · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2016, 02:33:09 PM »

Thats exactly the model I have....bought it to push the Sprint car.....Havn't done a dang thing to it..Starter is bad but I can let it sit and two kicks later it fires right off......

Wrench U · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2016, 06:33:00 PM »

Diesel or solvent. Gas evaporates quickly. Diesel is a great parts degreaser especially is u can get a brush in there. Or u can try Berrymans carb cleaner, that stuff works alright. I would actually pump out the gear oil and fill with cleaner that will accelerate the process. When it's empty from pumping out gear oil, hit it with an aerosol brake cleaner spray that will get the some stuff loosened up. U can get a transfer pump for gear oil cheap at AutoZone/ O'Reilly`s. That's what I'd do.

Aceman · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2016, 10:08:41 PM »

I've heard of using ATF for thinning oils up right before an oil change. Run it around for a little while until the oil/ATF mix warms up a little and see where that gets you.

wilkin250r · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2016, 11:54:46 PM »

This thing runs great, and even looks decent with a set of brand-new Maier plastics. I don't like the front drum brakes, and I don't like the balloon rear tires. I was going to change out the rears for something smaller, but I can't change the sprockets to correct the drive ratio, so I guess it stays like it is.

A buddy of mine brought it here from Oklahoma, his sister had it and just neglected it out in a field for several years. Plastics were shot, fuel tank was filthy inside, petcock was missing, and front brake master was missing. But I checked the oil, threw some gas into the carb bowl, and she fired up on the third kick. He had money, I had the know-how, so we fixed it up.

He only rode it a few times, and was cleaning out his shed, so he gave it to me for a six-pack of beer.

broken1 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2016, 12:50:11 AM »

The headlight comes off & there's about 8' of wire tucked into the removable cover below it if you haven't noticed that yet. It's like a flashlight.lol

Tbone07 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 24, 2016, 09:34:19 AM »

I use diesel and used motor oil to spray down specific areas of my truck. Maybe diesel will help flush that crap out