Oils ain't oils . . .

[peterg1001]

I saw a thread in here a little while back about which are the preferred oils to use in which location - engine, gearbox, diffs etc.

I can't find the thread anymore, so would anyone like to put up their suggestions?

Thanks, Peter

[abaddonxi]

This one?
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/good-oil/7...g-rick130.html

[peterg1001]

Ummm, I don't think so, at least I can't see it in there.

I'm sure someone (Diana?) posted a comprehensive list of all the oils they use in various places.

Peter

[peterg1001]

OK, I found it, it was in this forum as thread Oils aint oils - What do you use...

I think it's got everything I need.

Peter

[peterg1001]

So what I think I need is:

6.5L Penrite Classic Medium for the engine
9L Penrite Mild EP for gearbox, transfer case, swivels, axles, steering box.

Does anybody want to agree or disagree with that?

Peter

[rick130]

What vehicle ?
(I'm guessing a Series with the list you've posted, but you haven't indicated)

I would use a GL-5 spec lube in a diff, IMO a GL-4 doesn't have enough EP/AW additives, even though a Rover diff is a spiral bevel style CWP. Use a GL-5 particularly if the vehicle tows or is used hard off road.
In Penrite Mild EP's favour is that it's pretty a pretty heavy oil compared to a modern 75 or 80W-90 and with gears thicker often does provide more protection all things being equal but I'd use a 14.5cst GL-5 additised oil over a 24cSt GL-4 in a diff any day.

I also think that Penrite Mild EP is far too heavy for gearbox use.
It's an SAE110 viscosity oil (at the heavy end of the old SAE 90 scale at 23.8cSt @100*C, which almost pushes it into an SAE140. The SAE 90 oils now only go to 18.5 cSt, SAE 110 to 24 cSt and SAE 140 from 24 cSt to 32.5 cSt @ 100*C)
I reckon if an 80W-90 was originally specified for a manual gearbox, use a modern 75W-90 and have better gear changes, and most all dual rated GL-4/5's are yellow metal safe. If in doubt, look for a copper corrosion # on a TDS and if states 1a or 1b it's fine.
The Penrite Mild EP would be fine in the t/case, you just lose a little fuel economy.

[peterg1001]

So how would you go with Castrol:

Diffs and swivels EPX 80W/90 API GL5
Gearbox, transfer case and steering box VMX 89 API GL4
Engine GTX2 20W-50

This looks pretty consistent with your suggestions, and is what comes out of the Castrol reference wizard.

Peter

[cucinadio]

Penrite Oil - A Better Class Of Oil .........all the way mate

cheers

[rick130]

Peter, I'm not brand 'loyal' or prejudiced, I have oils and greases in the shed from (and in no particular order) Neo, Torco, Redline, Motul, Mobil, Castrol, Silkolene, Penrite, Shell and Fuchs, oh, and Caltex coolant
Use whichever brand you prefer, although you may find when it comes to gearboxes one brand may shift a little better than another, but if you use something near the higher end of their respective ranges in all sumps you really can't go wrong.
One thing I'm not sold on is Penrite's 'push' of heavier than normal recommended viscosities for engine oil, and I'm using Penrite in two engines here ATM, but it's a 10W-40 synthetic.

I just had a look at Fuchs, Mobil, Shell, Penrite and Caltex's sites and they all recommend a 10/15W-40 or 20W-50 engine oil (except Penrite who recommend HPR30) and either a 75W-90 (GL-4, eg Caltex Easyshift or an MT-1, buffered GL-5, eg Penrite Transaxle 75) or 80W-90 in the g/box and the same in the t/case and diffs. The only dissenter is Fuchs who recommend their MP90 (SAE90 GL-4) for the gearbox in a Series III. Caltex actually recommend Easyshift in the diffs too, "Easyshift is recommended for front wheel drive transaxle gear boxes and other manual transmissions; steering boxes and automotive hypoid and spiral bevel axles operating under moderate loads where manufacturers call for an API GL-4, SAE 75W-90 gear lubricant."

Personally I'd plump for the 75W-90 in the g/box and possibly the t/case and a good 75W/80W-90 GL-5 in the diffs.

[peterg1001]

Thanks Rick, sounds like good advice.

The big advantage of those Castrol products is that they're all available at the local auto shop, off the shelf, in 1L and 5L sizes.

Now all I have to do is go and spend the thick end of $200 to get them all . . .

Peter