Thread: Gearbox Oil Disco

I used Redline at the last refill & now it slips in & out like a Honeymoon posy.

Rick seems to have trialled different oils, so he would be a good person to comment imho.

I assume it's the manual R380 box?

Initially LR recommended an automatic transmission fluid (which is what it says in my genuine logbook/manual) but in the Disco II (same R380 gearbox) they recommended a Caltex oil specifically for that gearbox called MTF94.

Penrite do a Light Gear Oil 75 (75W/80) which meets MTF94, but I haven't used that oil yet (but I have some in shed because I planned on trying it). Currently I have Castrol SynTrans 75W/80 GL4 in it and it has been in it for 20,000kms and will replace it again with SynTrans (because I also have this in the shed - bought during SuperCheap sale). (Currently 125,000kms on car - 1997 build).

As 4bee mentions above, Rick130 has a few posts on this so do a search on things like R380 and the archives will have a few posts on this topic.

But an EPX 80W/90 is not the correct oil for it and I don't think Multitrax is either. EPX 80W/90 or Multitrax 75W/90 can be used in the transfer case, front and rears diffs.

I happen to have SynTrax75W/90 in the Transfer case but that's only because I thought I'd try a Synthetic in there.

Pete

It's a manual.
In the Castrol book those 2 oils are listed:

Castrol EPX 80W-90
Multipurpose gearbox, steering gear and differential oil for passenger cars, light trucks, farm tractors and earthmoving equipment. SAE 80W/90, API GL5.

Castrol Multitrax
Manual transmission and differential fluid providing improved gear shift over a wide range of temperatures, particularly cold shift performance. Also suitable in secondary drive axles of 4WD's, for reduced drag and enhanced fuel efficiency, especially in around town service. SAE 75W/90, API GL5

Just from the description to me the Multitrax sounds better.

What about Redline ? That's the brand ? Any exact name or is it just Redline ?

Matt

Edit: just had a look at the Redline page is it this one ?
Manual Gearbox MT90 (* Lightweight Shockproof) @ 2.6 Litres = 3 US Quarts

I used Castrol VMX80. Partly because of this thread and partly because there was 20L in the shed at work.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread.php't=24110&

Hi,

It's interesting that the Castrol manual you looked at had those 2 oils because on the castrol website, if you look at their lube guide, for 1995-1998 Tdi Disco manual, they say to use Castrol Transmax M (for both the auto and manual gearbox) which would be based on Land Rovers original recommendation. And I also just noticed on the Castrol website lube guide it says for severe duty or towing, use SynTrans75W/85.

As for Redline, I'm not sure which one people are using, but the redline website has a lube guide also.

I once rang Castrol's technical line and they said they recommend SynTrans75W/85 for the R380 manual gearbox (even in Disco 1). The auto fluid recommendation is what Land Rover originally specified and I'm sure there are lots of them with auto fluid still around.

But ring Castrol's tech line to be certain. I wouldn't be putting the Multitrax 75W/90 GL5 or EPX80W/90 GL5 into an R380 gearbox. EPX80W/90 can be used in the transerfcase, front diff and rear diff though.

Pete

I also seem to recall Rick having a bit of a shandy which he believed was ****hot.

Roadrunner, you've looked up the t/case recommendation
Probably calls it something like '4WD transmission'

80W-90 diff oil isn't appropriate at all. The gear shifting will be shocking. Multitrax will suck big time when cold.
Castrol Syntrans is the most consistent manual trans fluid I've used in my R380 gear box, and I've tried a few, including the Redline MTL/MT90 shandy Des refers to.

Here are some threads to read,
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread.php't=21544
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread.php't=22152
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread.php't=25271
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread.php't=25766
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread.php't=24110

Hi guys i just changed my gearbox oil to Penrite 75/90 on the recommendation of All 4x4 spares. It had auto fluid in it, since changing the oil it has developed a whine could this be the oil or somthing else (oil change less than 1000k's ago). They also suggested penrite 80,90 hypoid gear oil for the transfer and diffs, any thoughts on this would be appreciated.