Have I got the right gear box oil???

[Skip]

Being the clown which I am; I’ve tried to get a good synthetic gear box oil, so I spoke to some people and ended up buying Castrol MTX synthetic 80W API GL4. Since then have been on the net and found that BMW recommend GL5.

What should I do? Is this oil no good or will it be ok? I don’t mind spending more money, if that’s the case so be it, but I don’t to put it in if it could f$&K up the gear box.

Please could someone give me advice on this.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[DrAlf]

I went on a fully synthetic gearbox oil hunt a few months ago. This stuff is practically impossible to find. I ended up visiting all the local car and bike shops but still no joy. Someone on this board recommended trying a VW car dealer as apparently they use fully synthetic oil in their gearboxes. Haven’t been to the VW dealer yet but will do so soon. Forget to say thanks to the person that posted that info – so a very belated thanks whoever you are.

 

[boxer]

Mobilube 1 SHC 75W90 from:

Graham Goode Performance centre
0116 244 0800

www.grahamgoode.com

Part No:
112616

 

[Jimb]

Mobil 1

As boxer says, this is the stuff, the box is real smooth with this in, but make sure its run in 'cos it will not wear afterwards.

Check the Mobil website for a liost of dealers or go with boxers contact.

 

[iletts]

my local Halfords had some synth 75W90 GL4, Castrol I think

 

[ferguscawley]

I use this stuff. Excellent. Its a part synthetic multigrade. SAE 75W90, GL4 and GL5

Got it in my local motorfactors.

 

[ferguscawley]

A pic of the rear of the bottle..(Castrol Driveline Syntrax Universal)

 

[Spanish Bob]

Fergus could you post a piccy of the bottom of the bottle just to avoid any confusion...

 

[carlhowe]

I would not use GL4 oil inplace of GL5, I think GL4 has lower resistance to shearing forces, which will be high in gearbox. I use a semisynthetic and change it every year/6000 miles (engine oil every 3000 miles/6 months).
Carl

 

[oblertone]

Fully synthetic

Fully synthetic is available direct from Castrol at;

http://www.castrolclassicoils.co.uk/index.html

Very good service, buy engine oil too and get free postage in UK.

 

[~Stef~]

Fergus could you post a piccy of the bottom of the bottle just to avoid any confusion...

 

[ferguscawley]

Stef

Behave !!..or I'll post that picture of your wrinkly seat



Ferg

 

[Jimb]

GL5

Must be GL5 spec, GL4 is not hypoid and does not have the ability to lubricate the gears when under pressure, it has to be GL5, if you have GL 4 get it out and put GL5 in.

 

[Gavin4333]

What a great site this - went to Halfords to get gearbox oil today, coudn't find what I wanted or was even sure that what I wanted is what I really wanted !!!!!

Came home to search here and a thread is on the go - good timing.

Anyway I understand about the GL5 spec but what about the 90w bit, does synthetic work the same way as mineral, ie 90 is 'thicker' than 80. Does it matter (I know in cars it does due to spinning the syncros up to speed for smooth changes)?

I want to go to fully synthetic so what should I use????

Thanks all.

 

[oblertone]

What should I use ?

Castrol MTX Fully Synthetic for the gearbox/final drive, and Castrol GPS for the engine were the answers I got when I asked the same question. See link above for availability direct from Castrol.

ps - plus filters from Steptoe of course....

 

[Gecko]

Haynes Manual advises Hypoid gear oil API class GL5
SAE 90 above 5 degrees C
SAE 80 below 5 degrees C
Normal conditions SAE 80W90

Same oil for gearbox (1000cc) and final drive (250cc).


The BMW Oilhead maintenance guide suggest a synthetic 75W90 is fine too.

Be a bit careful when retigthening the drain plug on the 1100GS. Some models did not use a crush washer (which you should replace at the same time as the oil if it's used)

If yours doesn't have the crush washer on the gearbox drain only tighten to a torque of 17 ft.lb (23nm)

If you do have the crush washer then tighten to 22 ft.lb (30nm)

 

[Skip]

Ok I thank everyone for the information, and I thinks I will be getting "Castrol MTX FULL SYNTHETIC GEAR OIL, SAE 75W-140 API GL 5". From what I've seen it appears to have the largest window of tolerance/protection. I don’t know if it is just me, but I found Castrol to be bloody confusing as they make 3 different kinds of that MTX stuff, which I have found out the hard way; and we laugh.

Many thanks people.

http://www.castrol.de/produkte/b_motorrad/d_spezialitaeten/a_getriebeoele.html

 

[KOTM]

Using Castrol EPX API GL5 80W/90.

All the numbers and letters match although the bottle does use the words "differential oil".

I take it this is OK unless someone knows any different?

 

[Greg Masters]

Using Castrol EPX API GL5 80W/90.

"The EPX range of products give excellent protection in axles and final drive over a wide range of operating conditions. They can also be used in manual transmissions that require API GL-5 performance. Available in SAE 80W-90, 85W-140 and 90."

So says Castrol.

Greg