Transmission storage

[Gliderman8]

A few weeks ago I bought a Toyota transmission in anticipation of one day making the conversion to 5-speed.
I had it inspected at a transmission shop to check out the bearings, gears, etc. All is in excellent condition!
I also had them install new oil seals on the input and output shafts.
The transmisson now sits in my garage and does not have any transmission fluid in it.
Do I need to fill it to keep the seals flexible, or is it OK to just leave it dry and fill it after I install it?
Thanks for your help.

 

[tdskip]

Any reason not to keep oil in it Elliot?

 

[Gliderman8]

Any reason not to keep oil in it Elliot?

Tom- the only reason I want to keep it "dry" is because when I do get around to installing it, I intend to drain it anyway. I don't want to get any oil in my interior. I figured it can be installed dry and then filled.

 

[tdskip]

How long is it going to be stored?

If it is a long time then I'd tend to want to keep oil in it, but that maybe be totally unnecessary...

 

[TR3driver]

The seals had been stored dry before they were installed; I don't see any reason they would do any worse now.

The metal surfaces OTOH might decide to start rusting if the shop left them totally dry.

 

[crj7driver]

When I bought my Toyota transmission it came with a plug that was splined and the exact size of the drive shaft. It fit tight inside the rear seal and kept any oil from leaking out. I would try and get one of these plugs and then keep it full of oil. On top of that I would rotate the shafts of the transmission every month.

The plug is very simple and can't cost much. You might try https://www.marlincrawler.com/ for the plug since they deal a lot with Toyota transmissions.

Good Luck

 

[Gliderman8]

The seals had been stored dry before they were installed; I don't see any reason they would do any worse now.

The metal surfaces OTOH might decide to start rusting if the shop left them totally dry.

That logic about the seals sounds good to me Randall.... now, if only my wife would buy into getting the transmission into the car so the "metal surfaces won't rust". Thanks for the thought :thumbsup:

 

[tr8todd]

I was once told by a transmission repair guy that when a tranny sits for a long period of time, the fluid can absorb water from the air. The fluid and water react to form a mild acid that floats to the top. That acid etches a horizontal line at the top of the fluid level across the gears and syncros. This line becomes a weak spot that can cause a part to shear like tearing a piece of paper out of a notebook. Don't know if it is true or not, but it sounds cool.

 

[martx-5]

Sounds like a project for Mythbusters. Let's see how long it takes to etch an acid line in the gearbox...my guess would be maybe in twenty to thirty years...if ever. Besides, doesn't oil float on water??

My take on this is put some gear oil in the tranny (maybe about half capacity), spin the shaft(s) around every now and then to keep oil on the internals, and forget about it. When you finally install the trans, then fill it up.

I had the Supra trans I bought sitting around for about six months before I got ready to put it in. It was drained before I got it, but never opened up. I just put it in and then filled it up...runs great.

Yes I took a gamble by not looking inside, but I did go through Herman's check list, and everything came up good. Besides, from all that I've heard about these transmissions, I just rolled the dice and it turned out fine.

 

[Gliderman8]

Art you are probably right about the Toyota transmissions. I just didn't want to risk all the work of putting it in only to learn there is a problem (my type A personality!).
These transmissions are pretty "bullet proof" as you say.
Mine is perfect... now I have to wait until the job market loosens up a bit before ordering the kit.
The only thing I might agree to the previous post about the water is that possibly the transmission fluid is hydroscopic (like brake fluid) and will absorb water over time but, I agree that it would take a LONG time before anything catastrophic would happen.