Thread: Disco 2 - actually TD5 - recommended fluids - anti-freeze and Diffs

Originally Posted by jwb

CAT ELC is the identical product to the original Texaco product specified in the handbook for the Td5.

$32 from any CAT location in premix form.

PS. its orange

Is that for 1 litre?

CAT ELC (Extended Life Coolant) Premixed 18L; 3658396D - Filter Discounters different price picture here for full radiator fill.

Like I said, cost conscious person here, so no big spend unless it's going to be in there for years. RMI-25 is $30 (250ml) delivered to the door and that alone with demineralized (or tap) water does my radiator.

Anyway plenty of opinions and plenty of engine/diff/gearbox/trans oils / coolants / greases that will do the job and meet or exceed any requirements from over 20 years ago.

So if you want to coast along just pick your fave brand and follow their recommendations for your vehicle.

Originally Posted by johnp38

Is that for 1 litre?

Was for 3.8L (1 US gal) about a year ago.

Originally Posted by RRT

One note for people with the Ashcroft ATB diffs is that they recommend

"The Ashcroft Torque Biasing centre works best with a good quality EP80/90 Mineral based oil, we do not recommend synthetic oils, friction additives / modifiers and not required."

Ashcroft's are covering their butts with that recommendation as most EP90 fluids available in the UK are just basic diff fluids and so will work ok.

First and foremost the ideal fluid wont contain LSD additives.
Any LSD friction modifiers will result in little to no torque biasing, you'll pretty much render the diff useless.
I also believe you need a multigrade as the lube holes aren't that big.
A few people have destroyed LT230 ATB's in race situations that appeared to be from a lack of lube.
A multigrade will flow much more easily into the gear pockets until the diff reaches operating temps. And Rover diffs run pretty cool anyway, they don't generate much heat.

The best fluids for a torque biasing diff IMO are transaxle fluids, eg, designed and formulated for manual transmissions.
They contain the correct friction modifiers for synchros, which also work well in helping the helical gears bias.
I've always plumped for Motul Gear 300 75w-90 (not the lsd version), and interestingly that's what Wavetrack recommend for their torque biasing diff.
Quaiffe recommend Fuchs Titan Syn 5 75w-90
Both are full synthetic fluids, with no LSD additives and have the correct friction modifiers for synchros.

Castrol Syntrax Universal, etc. would be good choices, too.

Oils like Penrite Pro Gear 75w-90 don't play well with ATB's, even though they're touted for manual transmissions as they contain LSD additives.