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FUJI RABBIT SCOOTERS

TECH - FLUIDS

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TORQUE CONVERTER OIL

The Superflow scooters are equipped with a Torque Converter unit. This is the "Automatic Transmission" of the scooter. It uses friction and centrifugal force in conjunction with the viscosity and pressure of the oil to generate motion. Originally Fuji Heavy Industries were distributing a specific fluid for this unit called TORKON OIL.
Since Rabbit scooters are no longer produced the fluids have been discontinued, and no other oil has been specifically suited for this particular usage.
There has been heated debate as to what is the most appropriate replacement fluid for the torque converter unit. Some people have tried various fluids and one of the effects of inappropriate choices are shrunk seals leading to leaking of the Torque Converter unit. There has also been cases of oil overheating. Your torque converter unit should be tightly sealed, if any air seeps in, it will no longer function.
The original TORKON OIL had a viscosity closely equivalent to 20 W oil. It is generally agreed upon that the original fluid was very light. It is also a know fact that there was a softening additive in the oil that kept the seals from shrinking.

Many North American Rabbit owners have been using ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) which has a viscosity equivalent to 7 W oil. This is found to be lighter than the original fluid, but has worked so far for many owners.
Another replacement fluid which has enhanced acceleration and top speed compared to ATF is a specific fluid for farm equipment. John Deere Hyguard Transmission and Hydraulic Oil #TT6354
There is another cocktail suggestion that came from a japanese expert. Kouji Yamada is the owner of Rabbit House of Japan and is widely recognized as one of the best sources for anything Rabbit. According to Kouji, the original Torkon oil had a viscosity close to that of sewing machine oil. An equal parts mix of 15W50 engine oil and distilate fuel with the addition in the torque converter of 20ml of Transmission Seal Conditioner preservative is the closest to the original Rabbit mixture one could get.

The Rabbit S601 user's manual states the following:
"If an emergency arises and some oil must be supplied, use "spindle oil" or a 50-50 mixture of "spindle oil" and "car oil". Never use "car oil" or "brake oil" by itself.

This is an ongoing discussion topic in the message board.

There is further information on this subject in the TORQUE CONVERTER section

TORQUE CONVERTER FILLING PROCEDURES

Initial filling of the torque converter unit:
Before filling the torque converter from the oil inlet tank, you must first rotate the unit casing so that one of the two air plug screws is lined up with the slot under the reservoir. Unscrew and remove the plug so that the air may escape as you will pour the oil into the reservoir. If you just fill through the reservoir without removing the plug, air will remain in the casing and efficiency will be greatly reduced. Fill through the reservoir until the last air bubbles come out of the plug hole, then close the air plug and fill the reservoir to the indicated level. The maximum level indicates a total of approximately 0.8 litres.

Subsequent filling of the torque converter unit:
If the oil level is below the minimum level indicator on the reservoir, you will need to remove the air plug again to bleed out any air that may have entered into the casing unit. (see above paragraph)
If however the oil level has remained above the minimum indicated level, you may just add oil into the reservoir without removing the plug.

CAUTION: water infiltration:
If water has infiltrated the torque converter unit, it is necessary to drain it entirely and refill it with new oil. A properly sealed unit should not let water in. An indicator that water is present in the system, is oil splurting out of the air bleed hole while oil level is normal. Oil will also splurt out when the oil level of the reservoir exceeds the maximum level.