Cleaning a Transaxle Options

[Dave_Darling]

I would have to disagree with this. The Mag will suffer exfoliating oxidation as seen in wet and salt road climates.

Then I may be thinking of a different alloy.

Physicists would say that if you want to lose heat fast and paint, then use black. Compromise? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

A thin coat of flat black. But don't expect it to make a measurable difference. If you put a 1/4" mess of paint on, then expect more heat because almost all paint does not transfer heat as well as metal.

--DD

[Dr Evil]

Finally. Paint it! Magnesium very badly wants to combine with oxygen and return to the earth.

IIRC, the alloy used in the trans cases (and in mag case engines) is one of the ones where the metal forms a "sacrificial layer" of oxidation on the outside, and then stops. The layer keeps new metal from being exposed to oxygen, so nothing else oxidizes. So painting is not necessary.

In fact, if you like to slop paint on really thick, you might actually impede the cooling of the trans! If it's bad enough, it might even be enough to notice--in racing conditions... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

--DD

We have found that after cleaning, soak the mag case diesel fuel. The diesel has enough oil to find it's way into the Mag and stop the oxidizing. Rinse and let dry, there is still plenty of oil in pores of the metal.
Or clean and spray with WD-40...

Interesting. This is basically what we do by driving it with an engine oil leak (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Drums66]

.....I have seen some extremely dry cases(901)but......the majority seem to
"sweat" oil (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/flag.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)