Recommended Gearbox and Diff oils?

Post by **griffo20022** » 12 Nov 2007 12:02 am

Can anybody recommend a decent gearbox oil and diff oil? Also places where to get it from? I fancy doing a fluid change before a practice day next week. Also has anybody used a molyslip additive with a gearbox oil change before? I know the volvo uses a different oil to usual cars so just wondered if the additive went down well with the oil needed in these gearboxes??

Thanks peeps

Post by **Nikdev** » 12 Nov 2007 12:22 am

Ahh cant remember from the top of my head now, but its in the car manual or the Haynes.

I used a soap bottle with a hose to fill gear oil:

Remember to loosen the top bolt first, because then you know it is not stuck, and then take the button bolt..

Post by **filthyjohn** » 12 Nov 2007 12:56 am

Didn't someone say we should use 40w magnatec? Was it Shimon? The idea of using 40w in a gearbox might seem like insanity, but I seem to remember there was some plausible science behind it.

Post by **trabitom99** » 12 Nov 2007 10:59 am

Yeah, it was discussed here:
http://www.volvo300mania.com/forum-uk/v ... 9&start=15

Interesting, that Volvo should now recommend 10w-40 magnatec for 300 gearboxes ...

Tom

Post by **filthyjohn** » 12 Nov 2007 02:48 pm

Maybe they want us all to ruin our gearboxes so we'll have to buy brand new XC90s...

Post by **trabitom99** » 12 Nov 2007 03:04 pm

Volvo sales manager to Volvo chief engineer down the pub: "Hey, how about making things difficult for those lethargic old caravan-towers by drying up the parts supply?"

Chief engineer: "Great idea, and if that doesn't kill 'em off, we'll start recommending the wrong lubricants!"

What a brainwave

Tom

Post by **griffo20022** » 12 Nov 2007 06:09 pm

lol, sounds logical lmao!

Well I gave Opie Oils a call today and they quoted me 2 code numbers.

GL410 for the gearbox and GL590 for the diff. Had a word with my mechanic mate who seems to understand the numbers aswell so i'll be going to midwest parts tomorrow to see if they have got both types in and get em in at some point this week

Post by **shimon340** » 12 Nov 2007 06:17 pm

I've got a replty from Mac (ex-volvo employee) about this and will post it later

Post by **shimon340** » 18 Nov 2007 03:25 pm

info from Mac

As far as manual g/box oil - don't get too wrapped up in the issue. Originally the manual box used 10w 40 engine oil in most markets with ATF F used in Nordic markets to give acceptable gearshift qualities. (a 0w 5 engine oil would have been just as good if available in 1980). If you "forget" about the suffix F, A, H, D, A/A etc. and just think ATF you won't go far wrong. The problem was gearshift forces being high and shift quality being c**p especially in cold temperatures. The very first manual cars used engine oil then rapidly were changed to ATF (of the then prevailing common type).

ATF suffixes denote changes to additive packages for varying performance in "coventional" auto boxes and generally have no relevance to use in manual transmissions (in an auto the oil not only lubricates but acts as the primary cooling medium and must also preserve the many seals and 'o' rings in the valve blocks). The oil additives are also used to modify the various hydraulic clutch engagement and slip characteristics.

There never was specific change over points from F to A/A or whathaveyou - ATF was being used as a high quality low viscosity oil. (qualities above that are simply not needed in a manual box).

Of interest type F was formuated for Ford in 1967 as a high friction fluid to speed hydraulc clutch engagement on their specific auto boxes. Type A & A/A were designed as "universal" fluids to be compatible with early Dexron fluid in some GM boxes.

The last "official" spec. in the "Green Books" was to use Type A/A but you will do no harm by using any ATF. If a high mileage box became noisy you could even go back to engine oil if you wished !!

Hope the abve helps,
All the best - Mac.

Post by **filthyjohn** » 18 Nov 2007 03:51 pm

When in doubt, consult the oracle!

Post by **petefarrell360** » 18 Nov 2007 06:18 pm

Spot on info from Mac, cheers Shimon for posting it.

That means the ATF I bought, before having the full suffix info is in fact ok then! I was getting a little worried and hadn't done the change for that reason and a lack of time!

Pete

Post by **griffo20022** » 18 Nov 2007 06:34 pm

Well in the end I went for the 10-40W option recommended by a reliable shop, got some decent stuff from Comma and also bought some Wynns transmission treatment (similar to Molislip) so we'll see how it goes!

Post by **shimon340** » 18 Nov 2007 07:15 pm

I've been putting off a g/box swap due to oil confusion. I guess now I need to source some ATF and the swap the 4 speed for the 5...

Post by **Ricatron** » 18 Nov 2007 11:43 pm

right after all that i think i will go for the ATF. i have seen some in the shop round the corner who told me engine oil will do which i guess it will but.......

what engine oil are people using? 10/40 same as gear box?

these classic cars do cause some confusion

Post by **shimon340** » 20 Nov 2007 06:16 pm

hi there

If I find a source of correct ATF in manc (so far motor factors havent got it but Im not looking too hard yet!!) I'll drop you a pm!