HELP-Gear oil in t-20

[brushcutter]

A friend recently bought an '85 Hustler. Yesterday while trying to get it freshened up for a ride, we found that the driven clutch (9 3/4")was touching the left rear chain, and the tranny would have to come out and be raised. While I welded 1/8" thick washers over the original slots where the tranny bolted in, he changed the fliud.

This morning when I went to my shop the first thing I smelled was the distinct odor of gear oil. A quick check, (smell and feel) confirmed this. We have no idea how long it was in there but he drained at least 2 quarts out of the tranny. I don't know everything there is to know about the t-20, but I do know that gear oil in them is bad.

So the question I have is: what is the best cure for a t-20 that has been filled with gear oil? Other than some binding caused by a bunch of COMPLETELY mis-installed bearings (but that's another story) the tranny seems to work fine. I'm thinking a diesel flush... What do you guys think, has anyone run into this before?

[Roger S]

I would do several flushes with inexpensive atf. Diesel's probably ok, as I've washed many auto trans friction parts in solvent.

[6X6]

Gear oil will remove the band lining. I would CLOSELY inspect the bands before using it again. While the bands aren't cheap, they're a LOT less than the drums, and if you use it and the lining comes off one or more bands, the drums will be wrecked very quick. I think Don's right, T-20s need a "NO GEAR OIL" warning by the fill hole.

[brushcutter]

Yeah thats what I was thinking especially since we have no idea how long it's been in there. I have already had a case of detached liner syndrome. The liners were completly gone in the tranny that was in my Hustler, when I bought it. That was an extra $1295, you know, one of those pesky "hidden costs". Just another reason that I say if I can't crank it, and drive it when I go to buy it, then I will pay no more than $400 for it, and maybe not that much.