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Post by Anna Rack on Dec 2, 2012 18:45:24 GMT 1
Been thinking of changing the gear oil in my 95 Astra 1.4 for a while as it's notchy when cold, even worse now the temperature has dropped. Vauxhall specify sae80 but would it be better to go 75w/80 as it's a bit thinner when cold, or 75w/90 or stick to straight 80?  Also GL4 rating is specified, I've heard GL5 can cause damage to brass in the box - should that be avoided? Also when taking off the plate on the bottom of the box to drain it, will it drain all the oil or do I needto take off the side cover too? Any suggestions appreciated  |
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Post by Rhubarb on Dec 2, 2012 18:53:18 GMT 1
Get it nice and hot, and renew it for what is recommended.. I wouldn't go changing grades, could cause more harm than good  |
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Post by wheelnut on Dec 20, 2012 1:03:44 GMT 1
Also GL4 rating is specified, I've heard GL5 can cause damage to brass in the box - should that be avoided? I've seen that posted on the internet and I would be cautious too. I've got some Castrol gear oil in the shed (can't remember the name) That claims to be both GL4 and GL5 so I would guess that would be a safe bet. You're lucky that Vauxhall/Opel give you the specification, I have a BMW and they only give a load of bullsh!t about their special "filled for life" oil. I've searched the internet and can't find a reliable recommendation for BMW gear oil. |
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Post by Rhubarb on Dec 20, 2012 1:08:07 GMT 1
Also GL4 rating is specified, I've heard GL5 can cause damage to brass in the box - should that be avoided? I've seen that posted on the internet and I would be cautious too. I've got some Castrol gear oil in the shed (can't remember the name) That claims to be both GL4 and GL5 so I would guess that would be a safe bet. You're lucky that Vauxhall/Opel give you the specification, I have a BMW and they only give a load of bullsh!t about their special "filled for life" oil. I've searched the internet and can't find a reliable recommendation for BMW gear oil. It's not bullshit though Al lot of BMW boxes have lifetime fluid in... You will find a coloured tag on the box and that tells you what fluid you need. What Bmw have you got, and is it manual or auto? My 7 series is on 140odd thou and never have the auto fluid touched..Get it wrong in one of these and it's a £1000 for a recon plus removal and fitting |
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Post by wheelnut on Dec 20, 2012 1:30:08 GMT 1
It's a 320d with a six speed manual box. That tag on the box says something like MTF-LT3 which tells nothing about the grade or specification. My problem is that the gear-change is very notchy and has been from new. I feel that an oil change (with the correct oil) would do no harm and might improve things at little cost, but the guru at my local stealer says he would change the gearbox before he would change the oil. (!!! FFS!) I will not risk changing it until I get a reliable recommendation for the oil.
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Post by rhyds on Dec 20, 2012 10:05:57 GMT 1
I know that Rover and Honda group cars use MTF 94 for gearboxes, along with early low power BMW Minis. MTF-LT3 in google brings up this datasheet (http://blusynthetic.com/sites/default/files/75W-80%20Technician%20Series%20MTF-FS%20%28PDS%29.pdf) so might be worth a nose.
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Post by thecurleyone on Dec 20, 2012 20:35:13 GMT 1
Reminds me of my mate's MINI JCW, he fancied changing the gearbox oil as it had done about 40,000miles. Called BMW parts, to be told there are 2 two types!
One was about £80 for 5 litres (in 5litre container)!
The other was £20 per litre out of the bulk barrel and I had to bring my own container!!
Can't remember what we did put in it in the end, but it wasn't that dear.
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Post by wheelnut on Dec 21, 2012 0:06:11 GMT 1
... MTF-LT3 in google brings up this datasheet (http://blusynthetic.com/sites/default/files/75W-80%20Technician%20Series%20MTF-FS%20%28PDS%29.pdf) so might be worth a nose. I had not found that site before, thanks Rhyds. It indicates what I suspected, a fully synthetic 75w80 gear oil to API GL4 (not GL5). The difference is that this site says straight up that the oil complies with MTF-LT3. I'm inclined to think that all reputable synthetic oils that are 75w80 GL4 will meet MTF-LT3. |
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Post by Rhubarb on Dec 21, 2012 0:15:04 GMT 1
Reminds me of my mate's MINI JCW, he fancied changing the gearbox oil as it had done about 40,000miles. Called BMW parts, to be told there are 2 two types! One was about £80 for 5 litres (in 5litre container)! The other was £20 per litre out of the bulk barrel and I had to bring my own container!! Can't remember what we did put in it in the end, but it wasn't that dear. My mate had the clutch done on his E46 a few weeks back..Gearoil was renewed at the same time..Bought from the BMW dealers out of a big drum, using his own can. |
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