DIY VTM-4 (differential) Fluid change with pictures

[ecsw]

icic. Yes, for $2cdn a pump, I am sure I will buy a seperate one for my tranny oil. Thanks for reminding.

[raymondaecom]

Hi, How much of VTM u need to do the job? one gallon or two?

thanks

[Aru4mie]

Originally posted by raymondaecom
Hi, How much of VTM u need to do the job? one gallon or two?

thanks

You just need 3 quarts more or less.
Unfortunately its sold by the gallon only.

[ecsw]

Originally posted by Aru4mie


You just need 3 quarts more or less.
Unfortunately its sold by the gallon only.

yes, i have about 1 qt left. so, 3 changes will get me one "free" change.

[jlee2070]

Originally posted by ecsw


yes, i have about 1 qt left. so, 3 changes will get me one "free" change.

Unless this stuff has a "shelf" life??? Like brake fluid, once exposed to "air" you are supposed to use it up and not store it for a long time and use again...

[crvrefuge]

Thanks for the great pix, I'll change my VTM at about the 8,000 mile mark just for good measure, I've had Honda tranny prblems in the past (2002 CRV auto dead at 56K) I'm going to try and keep all fluids, oil, tranny & VTM very fresh in the 2006 Pilot, this one gotta last a long while.

BTW what sort of scooter do you have?

thank,

the CRV refuge

[redn22]

Originally posted by jlee2070


Unless this stuff has a "shelf" life??? Like brake fluid, once exposed to "air" you are supposed to use it up and not store it for a long time and use again...

Can someone confirm if there is indeed a "shelf life" for the VTM fluid? I have about 3/4 of VTM fluid saved up from my other 3 VTM fluid changes that I done at home... Can I use that or should I buy a fresh jug?

Also, can someone confirm if 3/4 of a jug is enough to fill the Differential?

Thanks!

[ecsw]

Originally posted by crvrefuge
Thanks for the great pix, I'll change my VTM at about the 8,000 mile mark just for good measure, I've had Honda tranny prblems in the past (2002 CRV auto dead at 56K) I'm going to try and keep all fluids, oil, tranny & VTM very fresh in the 2006 Pilot, this one gotta last a long while.

BTW what sort of scooter do you have?

thank,

the CRV refuge

I have a 2002 Yamaha BW's (Zuma in US). Bought it used to go to work which is about 5 miles away from my house.

This is not mine, but it looks the same.

[john802]

Originally posted by redn22
...Also, can someone confirm if 3/4 of a jug is enough to fill the Differential?

Thanks!

You need ~.70 gallon of vtm-4 fluids to do the differential fluid change.

[ecsw]

Originally posted by jlee2070


Unless this stuff has a "shelf" life??? Like brake fluid, once exposed to "air" you are supposed to use it up and not store it for a long time and use again...

this might be true. I better dig up more on this topic.

[ecsw]

Originally posted by redn22


Can someone confirm if there is indeed a "shelf life" for the VTM fluid? I have about 3/4 of VTM fluid saved up from my other 3 VTM fluid changes that I done at home... Can I use that or should I buy a fresh jug?
Thanks!

My friend's theory is as long as the lid is closed it should be fine. Oil will not lose its viscosity unless applied to heat or extreme friction.

I also have an idea. Everytime we change the fluid, we use the one left over from previous change and whatever extra from the new one.

for example, 1st change has 1/4 left. use the 1/4 left over in the 2nd change and 1/2 from the 2nd new bottle. then 3rd change use 1/2 left over from 2nd change and 1/4 from 3rd new bottle. 4th change, use the 3/4 left over from 3rd change. Does this make sense?

[Sunday Rider]

Originally posted by ecsw



My friend's theory is as long as the lid is closed it should be fine. Oil will not lose its viscosity unless applied to heat or extreme friction.

I also have an idea. Everytime we change the fluid, we use the one left over from previous change and whatever extra from the new one.

for example, 1st change has 1/4 left. use the 1/4 left over in the 2nd change and 1/2 from the 2nd new bottle. then 3rd change use 1/2 left over from 2nd change and 1/4 from 3rd new bottle. 4th change, use the 3/4 left over from 3rd change. Does this make sense?

That is what I do. Wish the tranny fluid came in the gallon or 4 litre jug too.

EDIT:
I also squeeze as much air out the container to keep it "fresher"

[crvrefuge]

hi ecsw,

scooters are a lot of fun, I've had an Elite 80 then the Reflex 250 and currently have a Silverwing 600. The Silverwing has lot's of add-ons, and we take it on two or three day long trips in the 600+ mile range. I would post some pix, but that's my wifes area of knowledge, I'm lucky just to post.

the CRV Refuge

[whizmo]

Dot 3/4 and 5.1 brake fluid is hygroscopic (attracts water vapor when exposed to air), so that's why you change it and why you need to avoid having stored brake fluid exposed to air.

Having said this, it is going a bit overboard to throw away new brake fluid in a sealed bottle just because the it has been momentairly exposed to air. If the cap seals tightly, the amount of moisture the brake fluid can attract in the small parcel of air in the bottle is exceedingly small. I suppose it might become significantly if you opened/closed the bottle tens of times, but under normal circumstances, there is no reason not to continue to use brake fluid that has been kept in a airtight bottle.

I don't know for certain, but I'd be amazed if VTM4 fluid was hygroscopic. Assuming that it is not, the shelf life of the fluid should be very long - virtually indefinite - provided it has been stored in a reasonable place and kept in a sealed container.

Don't go overboard when you hear things on the net - this is not the space shuttle we're working on here, or even a Ferrari. It's a common everyday car and requires only reasonable care.

- Mark

[jay3]

how often do you all change your vtm fluid? i've not had a car or suv which had vtm fluid. what about the tranny fluid? for my old car i changed the tranny fluid every 30k miles...i heard some were doing it at 20k and others at 40k...so i just took the average.