Bendix transmission Oil

[bendixmark]

Hello,I was hoping one of the members knows what kind of transmission oil to use in my 1949 Bendix.I put in 80-90 gear oil which I thought was correct but now the cylinder turns too fast.When I drain the oil out then it works fine.Thanks.

 

[christfr]

i would think heavier oil would be what she wants maybe like 90-175 wt. not sure how heavy maytag tranny oil is. i never could find out what the westy took so i just guessed. mine runs fine but the changer gets to hot

 

[Unimatic1140]

Try using a lighter weight oil, such as air compressor oil which I believe is 30 weight. That is what I used in my Bendix, Philco, Frigidaire, GE machines and it has always worked just fine.

 

[qualin]

Don't most washing machines use straight 30 weight non-detergent non-synthetic engine oil for the transmissions?

 

[sudsmaster]

These machines have a solenoid that switches the gears between the low tumbling speed and the higher spinning speed. Perhaps the solenoid is week and the 80w oil is preventing it from switching from high to low? I'd try flushing the tranny out with ATF and then try a 30 weight non detergent motor oil. Then maybe back to the 80w90 gear oil.

 

[christfr]

any idea what a westy changer should use. i never knew so i put in a heavy oil its works fine but the unit gets hot.. should is switch to thinner oil?

 

[bendixmark]

oil

I tried 30 weight compressor oil but it didnt work the machine would still start spinning when you start it up cold and take a minute to slow down.So the only thing I could find was regular transmission oil at Autozone and now it works fine.What was strange was when the transmission had no oil when I first got the machine it would work fine but would be very noisy then when I put the flush fluid in it was fine then when it had oil it messed it up.Gee,these 60 plus year old washers sure are temperamental....

 

[jakins]

I am having the same problem

Can You Tell me what weight the oil you put in that worked. I am working on the Bendix that was on ebay in Dec. The cabinet looks rough but inside it looks lightly used.

 

[bendixmark]

transmission oil

I am so glad you bought that machine it is the same one I have.I put in motor flush and then just regular automotive transmission oil and now it seems to run fine.I tried the 30 weight air compressor oil that Robert suggested and pretty much had the same problem of the machine spinning instead of tumbling when its cold and the cylinder turning too fast.I would be curious to know what year your machine is and whether it fills from the top or side and would love to see pics of your machine I will be posting some of mine soon.If you have any questions about your machine feel free to ask I could save you alot of stress.

 

[jetcone]

All early BENDIX like these

are supposed to start spinning at start up, its in the patent literature if you've read that. 30 wgt is good oil NON DETERGENT otherwise you will dissolve all the bronze bearings inside the transmission over time!

 

[bendixmark]

spinning

Hey Jon,now I have heard everything and no I havent read the patent literature but I sure will.The problem is that with the 30 weight it would spin for two minutes and when it got to the tumble it was too fast so I am not sure what to do. Dont want to ruin it with the wrong oil either.When it has no oil or thin flush oil it doesnt do this.The way it is now it spins briefly then slows down like it should.

 

[jetcone]

I now use

ROYAL PURPLE 75-90 wgt oil in my Bendix's its expensive but worth it.

 

 

 

jon