Please help 2021 Axis 750 crew won't shift into gear and found milky oil on inspection

[BMurph]

Hello everyone! I am new here and have no experience with UTVs but I am quickly getting some. I have a shifting problem where I can shift through all gears without the engine running but as soon as I start the engine I can not select a gear. Yes, foot is on the brake and yes the pin is being pulled to go into reverse if I was to try going into reverse. The shift lever does not move. I adjusted the linkage to get more accurate shifting with the engine off so I know those are now correct. I opened the shift lever housing to inspect the teeth on the gear and found this picture below. Why is this oil so milky looking? I assume with oil like this I'll need to replace the wet clutch as well but am not positive. Does anyone have any input into how to flush this system and get things shifting correctly? Thanks in advance for all the help!

[Alien10]

Water or coolant has turned the oil into an emulsion.  It looks like tiny water droplets are in there too.  

You should drain all this from the trans and find out where the water or coolant is coming from.

What does the engine oil look like?  Is is clean and clear?

 

[BMurph]

Thanks Alien10, yes engine oil seems clean and clear from the dipstick but I have not drained it yet. I was just getting started with things last night. Because I am not sure if the terminology is different where would you be referring to with draining from transmission side? I don't seem to have a separate drain plug from what I can tell. My manual mentioned a final gear oil and differential oil but nothing referencing a transmission. I just want to make sure I am not missing something on terminology being used so we are speaking the same language. I'll be checking for where water or coolant is coming from when I head out to the shop to take a look at things today.

[BMurph]

Alien10, I think I figured out what you were referring to with your earlier post. Assuming this is what you referenced I am going to drain it shortly and search for the source of water. Is this what is mentioned  as "transmission" above? 

[Alien10]

I don't have an Axis machine so am working from just general knowledge.   Follow your shifter cable to where it attaches to the "transmission". In that case, there should be a drain plug and a fill plug.  That will ID the trans case. It is also home of the drive shaft exit that attaches to the forward drive shaft yoke.   I've found that most of these imported machines have manufacturer manuals that are almost useless in many respects.  However, I do know that most utilize a "wet clutch" system similar to motorcycles. Those require a specific type of lube oil designed for wet clutch use.  I believe JASO MA2 is the latest spec these oils meet in order to be wet clutch compatible.   Others here may have better info on this. 

If the drained oil is like the milkshake oil you showed, then you've ID'd the trans case.  You will also need to research what amount of oil it takes and how to verify it is full.  Some just fill until the upper plug hole drips oil.   Do a little research to see what your machine requires. 

 

[Alien10]

Your machine may be different.  My Hisun 550 has this diagram of the transmission plug showing proper oil level at the bottom of the plug hole when machine is level.  I believe my Hisun's wet clutch shares the engine oil so it is important that I use that wet clutch compatible oil in the engine.  That's my understanding of it.  These manuals are not much help.

[Joe Breaux]

Did you drive it thru deep water?

[Greg Kilgore]

On 1/2/2025 at 1:21 PM, Alien10 said:

Your machine may be different.  My Hisun 550 has this diagram of the transmission plug showing proper oil level at the bottom of the plug hole when machine is level.  I believe my Hisun's wet clutch shares the engine oil so it is important that I use that wet clutch compatible oil in the engine.  That's my understanding of it.  These manuals are not much help.

Alien10,

I think this is just the rear differential. The plug is also the speed sensor. It has wires coming out of the plug and a connection for the wires maybe 12 inches from the plug. At least on my axis 500 anyway.

I know on my axis 500 the engine oil is also shared with the transmission. The engine oil is also the oil bath for the wet clutch. At least on the Axis 500.

BMurph,

It is possible that the water was just in the shifter paw cover. Or maybe a previous repair where water got in the oil. The repair was made and it corrected the issue. And the shift paw cover wasn't cleaned. 

Best of luck and welcome to the forum.