Thread: Wrong oil D2 transfercase.

Originally Posted by Jacko

Just serviced my d2 for second time this time had to replace the tranfercase oil. I put in Castrol Syntrax 75w 90. Apparently the wrong oil. I should have used a mineral oil at 85w 90. What brands are out there? (what is the good oil). The transfercase has a small leak now form between the tranfercase and the auto. apparently there is a seal that has gone. It used approx 150ml oil over 1500km. Taking it into G Coopers monday. They told me worst case scenario the transfercase would need machining if it was flogged out. Unsure why? as it only started leaking after i changed the oil. Any thoughts.

Wrong oil ?

Who says ?

and whoever says apparently knows not very much about oils

Put it this way, Syntrax is one of the best oils you could use in your t/case and current LT230 t/cases come from the factory with a synthetic 75W-90 in them.

The leak is a coincidence, it would've happened anyway.

Originally Posted by rick130

Wrong oil ?

Who says ?

and whoever says apparently knows not very much about oils

Put it this way, Syntrax is one of the best oils you could use in your t/case and current LT230 t/cases come from the factory with a synthetic 75W-90 in them.

The leak is a coincidence, it would've happened anyway.

What he says ^^^


jc

My ears pricked up on reading this as I've recently put castrol syntrans in my gearbox and syntrax in my tranfercase. The shift characteristicsof the gearbox have definately improved,but could still be better. That aside, I read in LRO last night this from their Q&A
which makes me somewhat confused. Should I change the fluids again? mine is a '97 300tdi 130.
Don

My Disco is a 2000 V8 auto. I was talking to one of the blokes at G Coopers in sydney. What he said was that when they get older they need a thicker oil. I dont have much mechanical know how (why i ask you guys with more experience). Do these guys ( G Coopers) know what there talking about or should I go elsewhere. I live in the hunter and it takes me 3.5 hrs to get my veichle to them. I have taken my veichle to them once before and they seemed to know a great deal about the veichles.

I wouldn't trust the tech advice published in those magazines. Listen to Rick130 and JustinC if you want an informed answer rather than rehashed old wives tales and pub myths.

Originally Posted by nod 130

My ears pricked up on reading this as I've recently put castrol syntrans in my gearbox and syntrax in my tranfercase. The shift characteristicsof the gearbox have definately improved,but could still be better. That aside, I read in LRO last night this from their Q&A
which makes me somewhat confused. Should I change the fluids again? mine is a '97 300tdi 130.
Don

Hahahahaha, what a crock !

Someone should point out to that 'adviser' that the R380 came out in 1998 with Texaco MTF94 in it, a 75W-80 (aprox. 10.5 cSt @100*C) semi-synthetic manual transmission fluid from the factory.
(and Transamx Z is one of the best DexII/III type fluids ever formulated too)

It's even in a factory TSB from '97 or '98 that the fluid had changed, superseded ATF DexII fluids and was backwards compatible with all previous R380's.

Unfortunately some/many mechanics and definitely parts counter jockeys know bugger all about lubricants.
I can understand it in the last few years, the engine and compartment specific fluids being mandated by the manufacturers is making things crazy and all but impossible to keep on top of, but it's not that hard to get a handle on older cars with older oil specs.

You expect to read crap like that on a forum like this, untruths keep being perpetuated as fact, but it also shows how we have to be pretty bloody discerning in what we read and hear full stop, and apply filters to everything.
Unfortunately the poor bugger who asked the question has been given a huge bum steer and will possibly continue to repeat it as an 'expert' told him.

Thanks Rick, After my g'box and transfer were rebuilt by what I believe is a very competent sydney L/R transmission w/shop, my local mechanic would've put in what ever oil was on his shelf and wouldn't address my concerns about poor shifting. I changed the oils myself with guidance from here, including from your good self. I'm definitely no mechanic, so my learning curve is mighty steep, but I'm sick of paying and not getting. Thanks for putting my mind at rest on this one.
Don.

Its my understanding that synthetic oils can seep past poor seals that were sealing with thicker mineral oils. However I suspect the seal will keep leaking even if mineral oils is subsequently used.