Thread: OILS AIN'T OILS - R380

Originally Posted by outback jeff

Hi all,

Is Castrol syntrans 75-85, also suitable for the transfer case or is there something better.

Cheers Jeff

Use what you're using in your diffs

The t/case gets very, very hot and has a limited oil volume and according to the tribologists (oil chemists/blenders) I've spoken to, gears last longer with heavier fluids.

We use lighter oils for easier shifting or where they provide a multiple purpose, eg. gears and hydraulics in big off road machinery.

Originally Posted by rick130

Use what you're using in your diffs

The t/case gets very, very hot and has a limited oil volume and according to the tribologists (oil chemists/blenders) I've spoken to, gears last longer with heavier fluids.

We use lighter oils for easier shifting or where they provide a multiple purpose, eg. gears and hydraulics in big off road machinery.

Hi Rick, I haven't got to the diffs yet, Ive just had the gearbox re-built, so I've done the gearbox, now I want to replace the transfer, then I'll do the diffs, also need to service the engine and change the coolant. I can only do one at a time as funds permit.

I did get a print out from the Castrol supplier that recommended what oil to use in each, i'll have to find it and have a look, it's in my work ute somewhere.

i really should start a thread in the Members Rides section.

Cheers Jeff

Syntrax in lt230 and rover diff.

In the R380 is raccomanded the MTF94 oil.

Originally Posted by bismillah

In the R380 is raccomanded the MTF94 oil.

Can't get it in Australia anymore and in my experience Syntrans 75W-85 works better/has a longer life as it's a full synthetic oil versus Texaco's MTF94 being a semi-syn oil

I tried VMX 75w85 today, maybe slightly better shift, all quiet. Seems to be both difficult and expensive to get Syntrans. I'd rather wash the ATF out with VMX than the Syntrans anyway. Is the synthetic stuff that much better, also Castrol still list ATF for the R380?

Originally Posted by 2stroke

Is the synthetic stuff that much better

YEP!

Originally Posted by 2stroke

I tried VMX 75w85 today, maybe slightly better shift, all quiet. Seems to be both difficult and expensive to get Syntrans. I'd rather wash the ATF out with VMX than the Syntrans anyway. Is the synthetic stuff that much better, also Castrol still list ATF for the R380?

In my experience, yes.
I didn't care for the shift performance of VMX 75W-80 the one time I tried it until I added an ester friction modifier to it, then it was fine.

Super Crap usually have Syntrans 75W-85 on the shelf.
Most Castrol stockists I've seen usually have it, or they can order it in.

If you look at the Castrol selector it has a number beside the recommendation of ATF and when you scroll down to the bottom of the page it says something like "for towing/extreme usage use Syntrans 75W-85"

If you enter in your engine as a TD5 rather than a Tdi it just says 'gearbox, Syntrans 75W-85', or it used to, it's been a couple of years since I've used it.

A big parts wholesaler/retailer like Bursons would have it, or you could use Redline 75W-85 which they also stock or can order in.

Failing that, find a bike shop that stocks Motul and get some Gear 300.
You can use that in your gearbox, t/case and diffs, it's an amazing fluid but you may need to mortgage your house if you buy enough to do all compartments