Thread: OILS AIN'T OILS - R380

Originally Posted by Blade74

My car was having issues with changing gears so i dropped the oil and put Syntrans in. It's a lot better than previous but still have issues with second gear when cold.
Thinking of trying Motul to see how it goes.

The box/car only has 40000kms on it and it seems like there is a bearing rattle when it's revving reasonably high....
Will see if Motul is better and if the rattle goes.

give the syntrans at least a 1000 klms the do it's job ... it gets better the longer it is there..

I've done about 2000 Kim's since changing. Will give it maybe another 1000kms before changing. I know it sounds like a waists of money and oil but would be nice to get it changing smoother when cold and see if the rattle noise goes..

Originally Posted by Blade74

I've done about 2000 Kim's since changing. Will give it maybe another 1000kms before changing. I know it sounds like a waists of money and oil but would be nice to get it changing smoother when cold and see if the rattle noise goes..

You'll still have the odd dodgy change when cold if you go to Gear 300, sometimes it won't even go. Fluids are a compromise.

You can have slick changing for half a dozen changes when dead cold, then rattles and a baulky shift when hot, or the odd baulky change when cold and less noise and better shifting in high load/heat conditions.

Your call with what's important for you.

I made my choice eleven years ago and so far (touch wood) the g/box is still working well after being caned by an unsympathetic, brute of a driver who for years treated his R380 as if he was still driving a Hewland...






(Hewland make straight cut, dog change racing gearboxes )

Thanks Rick,

What did you choose again as your preferred oil?
I'm guessing the Motul is pretty similar to the castrol.
I suppose the best way to know is to try it but it seems like the gearbox is pretty temperamental.