Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Craftsman Snowthrower Auger Gear Box Oil, sears service center, craftsman snowthrower

Question
Hi Eric,

I have a 10 HP Craftsman snow thrower, model number 536.886331.  I think that my auger gear box may needs some oil, but I am not sure what to put in.  When I look in my owners manual it says, "Auger Gear Box - The auger gear box has been factory lubricated for life.  If for some reason lubricant should leak out, have the auger gear case checked by a competent repairman.  

I called a Sears Service Center today and they said that they get this call a lot from people, but can't find in their computer the type of oil to fill the gear box with.  Do you know the exact type?  I took off the plug and it almost looks like a while lithium grease.  I was expecting to see black gear oil but did not.

Also, I'm not sure if this is related, but when I disengage the auger lever, the machine makes a pretty bad screeching noise.  I thought it might be the belts and I changed them.  I still have the problem.  It is hard to hold the lever and then run around to the front, but I think it might be coming from the auger gear box.  I don't think this is normal.  I bought the machine used and it always made this noise.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

KP


Answer
I would have guessed the belts as well.  Is it just the auger lever that makes the noise? Does just using the drive lever make the same noise?
You can use pretty much any EP gear oil.  This gear oil is more like greasy oil, not the thinner 80-90 weight.  Snapper OO grease will work as well but you may see some leaking from the seals since it is a little thinner.
Let me know about the screeching.
Eric