The rear diff oil is now changed. I collected the old oil in a opaque milk jug, and it still looks very red. Have no explanation for it, but now that I can get my nose in it, the oil has that burnt smell to it. Probably due to age and the heat transfer from the muffler/tailpipes in the immediate area.

Experience is a great teacher. Drove into town to get a cup of coffee and warm the gear oil (14 miles round trip). Got home and put her up on ramps, pulled the fill plug and positioned the jug and funnel (w/cheesecloth as a filter). Once I pulled the drain plug, the flow of warm 90W was faster than the rate of drainage through the cheesecloth and funnel. Next time, I'll keep the fill plug in and crack it occasionally to meter the out flow and eliminate the cheesecloth. BTW: no particulate matter in the cheesecloth.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.