Gearbox issues and oil

[ytt105]

I have a 1987 V8 RR on gas. 5 spd manual. Its an LT77 I believe as reverse gear is next to first.

Last week, as it got a bit cooler here im Canberra, I noticed the 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd changes were getting a bit clunky, ie. you could almost feel the gears engaging. There wasn't much noise unless you rushed or were ham fisted.

No drama I though, I've only recently bought the car so haven't yet changed all the fluids so an oil change was on the cards.

After much soul searching and questioning I replaced the auto trans fluid that was in the box with Penrite 75 light gear oil GL4.

Now those changes are even worse.

Ashcrofts site recommends auto trans fluid for the LT77 and I have some Castrol synthetic auto fluid that I could put in. Would this fix the problem or is it a gearbox issue.

[HSVRangie]

unlikly to fix problem.

the oil specified by rover was upgraded to Caltex MTF 94 or similar.
this oil gives better changes unless syncros worn, and is much better for the boxes life.

Michael.

[shaunp]

If it's been run on ATF most of it's life the syncros are probably tired. Penrite 75 will normally be OK, I run Valvoline dura gear 75/85 in most of them and they are fine a part from the first few minutes on a cold day. You could try some Castrol Syntrans MTF, if you don't mind paying $20 a litre this seems to work pretty well. Chances are it needs a freshen up however.

[101RRS]

Tried to get oil for my Freelander gearbox - none of the ususal places such as Autobarn, Repco, Rare Spares, SuperCheap carried anything - had to go to the local Castrol Depot to buy 2 litres of Castrol Syntrans 75 ($20 a litre - but real easy to get into tight filler holes as it flows like water). On my travels no one had MTF 94 - particularly Caltex.

Any ideas on where to get Caltex MTF 94 in domestic quantities rather than commercial quantities - I am about to do an oil change on the disco. It has always had ATF in it and there have been no problems to date but I want to change before I do develop problems.

I am also in Canberra.

Cheers

Gazzz

[HSVRangie]

Any equivalent to MTF 94 wil be fine.

Michael.

[Michael2]

I rebuilt my LT77 afew weeks ago and found that the Penrite 75 felt too thick. I've replaced it with Penrite Synthetic ATF (about $30 for 4 litres). I spoke to the people at Penrite and they said the Synthetic ATF would be a more durable oil than the 75, especially if the box was getting hot.

I'd say go with the synthetic ATF.

[rick130]

the easiest place to buy Caltex MTF94 is from a Land Rover dealer, as the minimum buy quantity from a Caltex depot is 20 litres.

As to an ATF being more durable than an MTF in a manual gearbox, I'd say that says more about their MTF than anything else :wink: If you really want to use an ATF, I'd use Castrol Syntrans or one of Redlines ATF's like their D4.
At least Redlines ATF's meet the API GL4 gear oil spec.

[shaunp]

Originally posted by rick130
the easiest place to buy Caltex MTF94 is from a Land Rover dealer, as the minimum buy quantity from a Caltex depot is 20 litres.

As to an ATF being more durable than an MTF in a manual gearbox, I'd say that says more about their MTF than anything else :wink: If you really want to use an ATF, I'd use Castrol Syntrans or one of Redlines ATF's like their D4.
At least Redlines ATF's meet the API GL4 gear oil spec.
Syntrans is an MTF as far as I'm aware, TransMax is synth ATF. Penrite 75 is a mineral MTF, not sure if they make a synth one in their 10/10ths range.

I find that in Brisbane at least Valvoline dura gear works well in most of them for general use and you can get it at Super cheap if you want, I think thats what MR put in on the cars they service/rebuild.

[101RRS]

[quote=rick130]the easiest place to buy Caltex MTF94 is from a Land Rover dealer, as the minimum buy quantity from a Caltex depot is 20 litres.

Went to to the dealer and they wouldn't sell me any oil. Thats when I went to the Castol depot and was able to buy Castol Syntrans 75 in litre bottles.

Don't know about the disco but the freelander uses the Valvoline Dura equivalent in the in the IRD but not the gearbox - they definitely use different grade oils so the Valvoline Dura cannot go in the gearbox - in fact Valvoline do not list an oil for Freelander Gearboxes Refer to Dealer is the note. Like wise Castol list a different oil for the IRD.

I think Castrol list Syntrans 75 for a Disco gearbox but I am not sure.

Gazzz

[shaunp]

There is 2 Valvoline dura gears, one is GL4 75/85 MTF and the other is an GL5 80/90 hypoid. Which are you using in the freeloader?

[101RRS]

In the IRD I am using Valvoline DuraGear Synthetic Blend Gear Oil SAE 75w-90 API GL5 - the book specifies Texaco S5 75/90 API GL5 - so I assume this is the equivalent.

For the gearbox, the book specifies Texaco MTF 94 but I cannot locate any Caltex MTF 94 but the Castrol book lists Syntrans 75 - actually using Castol Syntrans 75W/85 Manual - a synthetic API GL4. The bottle specifically states it is not suitable for engines, hypoid differentials or GL5 applications.

I am afraid I am a bit of a babe in the woods as far as oils go and have been following the manual specs.

These seem to be OK for the Freelander - I am about to do a 100,000km service on my Disco 1 update and though a geabox oil change is not due, in view of the comments on this forum I was going to change the ATF to MTF 94 which I cannot locate so I was intendng to use the Syntrans 75 as it seems to be the Castol equivalent which I can get.

Gazz

[shaunp]

I think you will find that the Dura gear 75/85 gl4 will be fine in the box It's certainly fine in an R380 or LT77, it's all MR automotive use here in Brisbane and they reckon they've tried all the mineral based MTFs. MTF 94 is just 75/80 GL4 mineral nothing special about it, I wouldn't loose any sleep over it. Just make sure you get the Dura gear GL4 75/85 not the 90, the bottle looks exactly the same. My own Disco has run it for 100k km changed every 20, Box still feels/sounds the same as the day as I got it. The car has towed boats and vans up the beach and on road. But if you don't mind paying for Syntrans go for it. But you can get Dura gear at Supa Cheap. Thompsons Auto parts here in Wynnum sell the lot, every thing from Redline to VMX80.

[landy_man]

just did a full oil change and used penrite 75/80 (new name for extra light) instead of the ATF that was in there...
gearchanges feel a little even smoother...and was available at both Supercrap and autobarn...
It even lists Land Rover on the bottle as 1 of the applications.... which is pretty rare 8)

[Bushie]

Originally posted by rick130
the easiest place to buy Caltex MTF94 is from a Land Rover dealer, as the minimum buy quantity from a Caltex depot is 20 litres.



Given the price that some dealers want to charge for MTF94 its not much dearer to fork out $120m for 20litres from Caltex.


Bushie