VMX80 or Syntrans/trax in Td5 gearbox?

[xsi]

Im about to do my first full lube change on my 90 so please be gentle with me.:)

Ive had a good look thru many of the discussions on gear oils for the drivetrain on late model defenders.

VMX80 and Syntrans 75w/90 seem to be the commonest recommendations and which meet MTF 94 specs.

Calling in to Supercheap and Repco today the price of 4L of VMX80 was about the same price as 1L of the Syntrans.

Am I justified in the extra cost of the Syntans?

If I factor in a transfer case and Diff oil change using Syntrans that will start to get seriously expensive.

Do I use Sytrans for the gear box and TC and a "lesser" 75/90 for the diffs?

Dave.

[lokka]

Why not try penrite oil dave i use it for every thing and lots of other guys on here do as well i get mine straight off the rep up here and buy in bulk and save a packet geting it this way insted of payin a middle man profit pm me and il give you the contact i have up here and he will be able to line u up with someone down your way :D:D:D:D

[ak]

Yep penrite is in my TD5 it's a good oil.:)

[rick130]

Syntrans not Syntrax is closer to MTF94 in spec. Syntrans is an 11.9cSt @100*C fluid 75w-85 GL4 (NOT suitable for diffs !) and Syntyrax is a 14cSt @ 100*C 75w-90 GL5 transaxle fluid, although Disconut uses Syntrax in his 90 g/box and loves it (BTW, haven't seen Trev on here for a while) but they are two totally different fluids. To tell them apart, Syntrans is amber, Syntrax is red.

IMO Syntrans shifts more nicely than VMX80 in the R380 and should last a lot longer and protect better as it is a full PAO/ester synthetic so is worth the $.

Penrite don't have anything that compares to either Syntrans or Syntrax to my knowledge.

[Defender200Tdi]

VMX80 and Syntrans 75w/90 seem to be the commonest recommendations and which meet MTF 94 specs.

Calling in to Supercheap and Repco today the price of 4L of VMX80 was about the same price as 1L of the Syntrans.

Am I justified in the extra cost of the Syntans?


Dave.

Having used both, my answer is YES, absolutely.

Having said that, I wouldn't use Syntrans in anything else apart from the gearbox. For Transfer box, diffs and swivels I've standardised on Castrol SAF/XA which is a synthetic 80W140.

Paul:)

[Redback]

I use Penrite 5w/40 semi synthetic in the engine, it meets the A1 B1 B2 specs for the TD5 recommended by LR, fully synthetic doesn't meet the specs, MTF 94 in the gearbox (or the equivilent) and 80/140 in diffs and Transfer case.

Baz.

[ATH]

I used Castrol Syntrans in my Defender's transmission and was satisfied that it did the job well.
In fact I used Castrol throughout the whole vehicle as I've used their stuff for years on all our vehicles as it does a good job of protecting engines, diffs, gearboxs, etc.
But the way to better changes on the R380 is definitely as they say somewhere else here, is to take it easy when changing.
That coupled with a good oil should see a good long life out of the box.https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/12/13.jpg
Alan.

[rick130]

I use Penrite 5w/40 semi synthetic in the engine, it meets the A1 B1 B2 specs for the TD5 recommended by LR, fully synthetic doesn't meet the specs,
Baz.


Really ??

most petrol full synths meet the TD5 engine specs, e.g Castrol Edge 5w-30, 0w-40, Mobil 1 0w-40, although I'd rather use a dedicated diesel oil like Delvac 1 5W-40 or Redline 15w-40.
Yes, Redline 15w-40. At 0*C it is thinner than Penrite 5W-40 ;)

Anyway, old mate asked specifically about his gearbox. :angel:

[isuzurover]

Slightly off topic...

I changed the oil in my LT85 gearbox from VMX80 to Syntrans. If anything the shiifting has gotten worse - especially in and out of 2nd. I think I will be switching back next service.

[rick130]

Slightly off topic...

I changed the oil in my LT85 gearbox from VMX80 to Syntrans. If anything the shiifting has gotten worse - especially in and out of 2nd. I think I will be switching back next service.


that can happen. I've heard many times of two identical model g/boxes and they each preferred a different brew, hell JC posted this a week or so back where some of his customers R380's just don't like MTF94. The other thing to be aware of is that the friction modifiers can take up to 800km to impregnate the synchro cone surface.
I tried a Transmax Z/Neo 7wt brew the other day (I was doing a flush after changing seals and having to 'touch up' a seal surface) and the first 1/2 dozen shifts were awesome, at least until I got a little temp into the fluid. Syntrans was a lot better after that.

[isuzurover]

that can happen. I've heard many times of two identical model g/boxes and they each preferred a different brew, hell JC posted this a week or so back where some of his customers R380's just don't like MTF94. The other thing to be aware of is that the friction modifiers can take up to 800km to impregnate the synchro cone surface.
I tried a Transmax Z/Neo 7wt brew the other day (I was doing a flush after changing seals and having to 'touch up' a seal surface) and the first 1/2 dozen shifts were awesome, at least until I got a little temp into the fluid. Syntrans was a lot better after that.

Thanks for the info - suspected as much. I will give it a few 000 km to settle in, but if there is no improvement I will be switching back.

[DEFENDERZOOK]

so what do the land rover specialists use in their vehicles........?

blknight.aus........justinc.........tombraider.... ......bigred..........etc......


im interested to find out as well as mine is due for a change as well........

[PAT303]

It's been my limited experience that no two gearbox's like the same thing.My mates R380 doesn't like ATF or castrol but shifts smooth on Penrite,my one on the other hand only likes ATF and won't shift on anything else. Pat

[Redback]

It's been my limited experience that no two gearbox's like the same thing.My mates R380 doesn't like ATF or castrol but shifts smooth on Penrite,my one on the other hand only likes ATF and won't shift on anything else. Pat

MTF should be used not ATF, it's a different Viscosity and temp range.

Baz.

[Redback]

that can happen. I've heard many times of two identical model g/boxes and they each preferred a different brew, hell JC posted this a week or so back where some of his customers R380's just don't like MTF94. The other thing to be aware of is that the friction modifiers can take up to 800km to impregnate the synchro cone surface.
I tried a Transmax Z/Neo 7wt brew the other day (I was doing a flush after changing seals and having to 'touch up' a seal surface) and the first 1/2 dozen shifts were awesome, at least until I got a little temp into the fluid. Syntrans was a lot better after that.

Hi Rick, i looked at Valvaline, Castrol, Shell and Penrite Diesel engine oils in 5w/40 to 15w/40 fully synthetic and all were either B3, B4 or E3, NONE WERE A1, B1, B2, but i didn't look at the petrol oils, didn't realise it could be used.

Yes i did see he was looking at gearbox oils, why i mention the MTF or it's equivilent, i alway try to stick to what the manufacturer recommends or it's equivilent in specs.

Baz.

[BigJon]

so what do the land rover specialists use in their vehicles........?

blknight.aus........justinc.........tombraider.... ......bigred..........etc......


im interested to find out as well as mine is due for a change as well........

I don't qualify for your list of experts :(...

But I use Castrol Syntrans in my LT77S gearbox. Syntrax in my LT230 transfer case. 80w/90 in my diffs.

[rick130]

B3, B4 are much more stringent petrol/light diesel specs than B2, and A1 is a petrol oil spec and E4 is a heavy duty diesel oil spec so if you use an oil that lists the higher (numerically) spec it will usually exceed the lower


A/B : gasoline and diesel engine oils
A1/B1 Oil intended for use in gasoline and car + light van diesel engines specifically designed to be capable of using low
friction low viscosity oils with a High temperature / High shear rate viscosity of 2.6 to 3.5 mPa.s. These oils may be
unsuitable for use in some engines. Consult owner manual or handbook if in doubt.
A3/B3 Stable, stay-in-grade oil intended for use in high performance gasoline and car + light van diesel engines and/or
for extended drain intervals where specified by the engine manufacturer, and/or for year-round use of low viscosity oils,
and/or for severe operating conditions as defined by the engine manufacturer.
A3/B4 Stable, stay-in-grade oil intended for use in high performance gasoline and direct injection diesel engines, but
also suitable for applications described under A3/B3.
A5/B5 Stable, stay-in-grade oil intended for use at extended drain intervals in high performance gasoline and car + light
van diesel engines designed to be capable of using low friction low viscosity oils with a High temperature / High shear
rate viscosity of 2.9 to 3.5 mPa.s. These oils may be unsuitable for use in some engines. Consult owner manual or
handbook if in doubt.
E: Heavy Duty Diesel engine oils
E2 General purpose oil for naturally aspirated and turbocharged heavy duty diesel engines, medium to heavy duty
cycles and mostly normal oil drain intervals.
E4 Stable, stay-in-grade oil providing excellent control of piston cleanliness, wear, soot handling and lubricant
stability. It is recommended for highly rated diesel engines meeting Euro 1, Euro 2, Euro 3 and Euro 4 emission
requirements and running under very severe conditions, e.g. significantly extended oil drain intervals according to the
manufacturer’s recommendations. It is suitable for engines without particulate filters, and for some EGR engines and
some engines fitted with SCR NOx reduction systems. However, recommendations may differ between engine
manufacturers so Driver Manuals and/or Dealers shall be consulted if in doubt.
E6 Stable, stay-in-grade oil providing excellent control of piston cleanliness, wear, soot handling and lubricant
stability. It is recommended for highly rated diesel engines meeting Euro 1, Euro 2, Euro 3 and Euro 4 emission
requirements and running under very severe conditions, e.g. significantly extended oil drain intervals according to the
manufacturer’s recommendations. It is suitable for EGR engines, with or without particulate filters, and for engines fitted
with SCR NOx reduction systems. E6 quality is strongly recommended for engines fitted with particulate filters and is
designed for use in combination with low sulphur diesel fuel (max 50 ppm). However, recommendations may differ
between engine manufacturers so Driver Manuals and/or Dealers shall be consulted if in doubt.
E7 Stable, stay-in-grade oil providing effective control with respect to piston cleanliness and bore polishing. It further
provides excellent wear and turbocharger deposit control, soot handling and lubricant stability. It is recommended for
highly rated diesel engines meeting Euro 1, Euro 2, Euro 3 and Euro 4 emission requirements and running under severe
conditions, e.g. extended oil drain intervals according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. It is suitable for engines
without particulate filters, and for most EGR engines and most engines fitted with SCR NOx reduction systems. However,
recommendations may differ between engine manufacturers so Driver Manuals and/or Dealers shall be consulted if in
doubt.

[rick130]

I don't qualify for your list of experts :(...

But I use Castrol Syntrans in my LT77S gearbox. Syntrax in my LT230 transfer case. 80w/90 in my diffs.

maybe you're the "etc" :D

[BigJon]

maybe you're the "etc" :D


I have been called worse things...:p:eek:

[DEFENDERZOOK]

ah....bigred....bigjon....all same same........




etc..........