Thread: what gear box oil to use

Hi Scottyp,

Indeed ATF was the specified gearbox oil. (Auto Transmission Fluid)

Subsequently other oils (MTF) have been recommended.

I am now using Castrol VMX80 and have found that it has improved the gear changes in the R380 box. No more cold grinding.

Currently using Castrol MTF94, available through Caltex/Ampol (provided you can get them to order it in) but only available in 20 litre drum @ about $120


Bushie

thanks guy's, VMX it is, 20 litres of the other would mean I"d have to put back the 3" exhaust.

Thanks again

Scottyp

Have a look at Castol SynTrans - went through the cold starting issue and crunching in the gear box - after spending mega $ trying different oils - Syntrans came up trumps.

Hi everyone.
I asked the same question some time ago and was advised that Castrol Syntrans was the way to go.
So I did ............. and it's still crunching from second to third and sometimes hard to get into second from first.

Looks like a trip to the Main Stealer is on the cards. What's the betting they deny there's a problem!
Alan H.

Originally posted by scottyp
thanks guy's, VMX it is, 20 litres of the other would mean I"d have to put back the 3" exhaust.

Thanks again

Scottyp

Please report back and let us know how you go with it [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img] I have a heap of that stuff sitting here, and it would be good to use it up.

I have bought syntrans to try out. I might try it next, but I'm keen to see how the vmx 80 goes as it's cheaper [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

Hi guys.

I just thought I would add to this post instead of starting another one.

Does anyone actually use the Dexron IID fluid in their R380?

I have a 20L drum of Dexron III and 1 or 2 20L drums of VMX80 at work. So I will be using one of these fluids for my R380 in my Disco.

Since I have no issues with gear changes now I think I will decide when I drain mine. i.e if it is red then I'll use the auto fluid but if it is brown I'll use the VMX80.

Wish I found this hidden cache of oil before I bought 4 litres of transfer/swivel oil. I bought 4 litres of EPX 80w/90 only to find 60L of it in the shed

Use the Dextron III........not the Dextron II.

We've just installed a brand new R380 into our Castrol Sponsored 110 and Castrol asked for a list of all required lubes.....I wasn't quite sure which was the best option so we called Drew Bowler in the UK to see what he puts into his Bowler Rally Raid R380's.
His advice was stay away from fully synthetic and keep to the Dextron III..... not Dextron II. The III has additional anit foaming properties and a bunch of other stuff we're told.