Gearbox Oil

[AlexGSi2000]

Just looking for some advice on what kind of gearbox oil I should be going for.

Iv had a quick search round the forum, but found no definitive answer.

Im running around 230Bhp - original gearbox oil, just running up to 90,000 miles, gathered it would be a good idea to get some fresh stuff in there.

Iv been recommended Redline MTL 70w-80.
Is this the correct viscosity?

How much will I need to refill the gearbox from empty?

Many thanks.

 

[Spud_G40]

I had my gearbox oil changed a few months back the oil was to VW spec on the ETKA parts catalogue for a MK4 golf 1.8T

I had my gearbox rebuilt at a specialist near me this month because the diff started to break up, and he said the oil that was in it was too thick.

He recommended I use 'ATF Dexron 3' fluid instead. (which i know is mostly for automatic boxes) But they have rebuilt boxes for years I am sure they know what gearboxes need.

Gearbox takes 2 litres.

 

[AlexGSi2000]

Just about to go ahead and get some of this;

http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=46&pcid=7

Its 75w-90, is this about right? Or should I be going for a different viscosity?

Thanks.

 

[tan159753]

The redline MT is thicker and may cause a bit notchiness in 2nd / 3rd gear. Good if you do track stuff as the oil stays warm.

Redline MTL is the thinner stuff and probably more suited to your gearbox with our colder climates., but still a bit thicker than ATF dexron 3. Ive read that ATF doesnt give manual gearboxes the necessary lubrication protection but gives slick shifing. If I was a gearbox rebilder, I wouldnt use anything other than ATF because the customer will see a nice shifting gears and think youve done a great job. Any failures are likely to be 2 years down the line and well out of warranty. Better for gearbox rebuilders - makes more business sense.

 

[AlexGSi2000]

The redline MT is thicker and may cause a bit notchiness in 2nd / 3rd gear. Good if you do track stuff as the oil stays warm.

Redline MTL is the thinner stuff and probably more suited to your gearbox with our colder climates., but still a bit thicker than ATF dexron 3. Ive read that ATF doesnt give manual gearboxes the necessary lubrication protection but gives slick shifing. If I was a gearbox rebilder, I wouldnt use anything other than ATF because the customer will see a nice shifting gears and think youve done a great job. Any failures are likely to be 2 years down the line and well out of warranty. Better for gearbox rebuilders - makes more business sense.

Thanks for the advice, I will go for the MTL 70w-80.

Will 2 quarts = 1.892 Litres suffice?

 

[EZ Tutty]

The spec set by vw for the O2J gearbox is 75w-90 GL4,
Redline MT90 is exactly to the spec, and what is recommended for our gearbox's

I've had it in mine for a couple of years now and it's been great.

I ordered some from opieoils.co.uk the other day, (as i've had my gearbox apart to change a couple of selector guides) and it came the next day.

Will 2 quarts = 1.892 Litres suffice?

On a oil change you 'should' get away with it, as not all of the old fluid will come out, but i've had to use 2 and a bit bottles to fill mine up, as it's been apart & fully drained.

The 'official' amount is 2.1 Quarts or 2.0 Litres

 

[AlexGSi2000]

Thanks EZ, trust you to post that just after I'd ordered the 70w-80! Yeah I always get my stuff from Opie, just got the club discount, plus a further 15% on the Easter offer.

I will give it a go, if im not happy then ill try the MT90.

Did you notice any difference with the Redline oil? Mine is slightly notchy at the minute, so hoping it will help.

Im going to be abit of a noob now and ask a daft question, how do you know when the box is full? is it when the oil gets to the top of the fill plug?

Also what size hex do I need for the oil drain and fill points?

Thanks!

 

[EZ Tutty]

the MTL will be fine,

not sure if it was just placebo effect, but the change did seem a bit slicker after switching to redline oil.

The filler/drain plugs are both 17mm (you can get a small adapter tool, think mines a draper 14mm/17mm one, cost me about £3)

The drain plug is on the bottom of the box near the back (under the diff IIRC)

The filler plug is on the front, and yes just fill it up untill it trickles out the filler hole, make sure the car is resonably level though.

Tightening torque for both plugs is 18ft/lb

 

[AlexGSi2000]

Thanks very much for clearing everything up there EZ.

 

[redcupraboy]

Was going to ask this myself as I need some new gearbox oil for when I do my clutch and flywheel, so ordered the Redline MT-90 75W-90 from Opie oils along with some more engine oil Silkolene Pro S 5W-40, thought I would take advantage of the Easter offer.