Pdq 4000 winter gear box oil

[Ontario Car Wash]

hello hope all is well happy thanksgiving

I have a 4000 and I notice in the colder months the gear box or motor will tend to chirp or kinda rubbing grinding noise till she gets going. I use the recommended oil and pdq said nothing about putting another oil in. does it every year when it gets cold

would you recommend using another oil in the winter
my bay is not heated so it gets cold, usually shut the doors at night and run heater and it will run quit when its warm or once she gets going. but on extreme days she chirps.
It seams more like the motor honestly

thanks

 

[JGinther]

Around 12 years ago, I kept having a vfd error from overload on cold days with a setup like yours. I had some 30 weight motor oil, so I threw it in. So I did exactly what is not recommended. That place still has the same gearbox to this day I'm pretty sure. Washing 50+ cars a day even in Colorado winters. I've done the same on other vfd driven gearboxes since with nary a problem... So if you need an alternative recommended gear oil, I'm here for ya.

 

[Ontario Car Wash]

Did u drain it first or pour it right in

 

[JGinther]

You gotta drain the water out before you put the oil in...

 

[MEP001]

You gotta drain the water out before you put the oil in...

Funny but true.

Someone told me he had a tech from a company tell him to pump the crankcase full of wheel bearing grease.

 

[Ontario Car Wash]

funny in a lst resort setting putting a grease zerk on it and pumping it full of grease has workeeeeeeeeeed , I use oil though if you have it

im gonna try what oil would you recommend any 30 weight or do have a preference

 

[JGinther]

Funny but true.

Someone told me he had a tech from a company tell him to pump the crankcase full of wheel bearing grease.

Hmm. Definitely not my thought process.... I only used the engine oil because I needed a lighter weight oil due to the cold temperatures... The viscocity was so thick on the Gear oil, that the resistance was high enough that the VFD would trip. The lighter weight and control for colder weather (like for controlling resistance when cold starting an engine) made me think a 30wt oil would work (since I had it with me) and it fixed it forever.

Any oil is probably better than the gum/water/grease/dirt/oil mix in the gearbox now. I would grab the one that you will use up on whatever else.

 

[Ontario Car Wash]

Its 50 here today and no squaking from the trolly, its gotta be the oil, i checked it though and its golden like new id did just change it about a month ago but no water. Usually here it when it gets under 30
when i get time ill try the 30weight and let ya know

 

[Ontario Car Wash]

Am i over thinking this or what 30w we talking about i thought i try today went to garage and theres
30w bar and lube
30w brigs and stratton small engine motor oil
does it need to be 30w "gear oil"
thanks

 

[Ontario Car Wash]

Never mind i see it " i only used engine oil....
Well imma put some in let ya know

 

[Ontario Car Wash]

I just spent the night changing oil etc, i swear its the motor screaching in the back were the fan is.
Windings?
A little bearing?
Id think ice or debri but it clear and at 35' it goes away
would it still be in the gear box just coming out of the fan side
oils clean.
I cant take the cap off its been on so long boltz are on for good
ran like this for years just makes me crazy
i feel like i should squirt something in the little hole in center of fan
anyways

 

[Randy]

We'd replace the motor with one of our spares and take the motor into the motor shop to see if it can be repaired. If it can't we'd buy another spare motor. We have spares of just about every part.

 

[Ontario Car Wash]

warmed up sqwak is gone